- More
1946 Roy Campanella Handwritten Letter to Branch Rickey Regarding Black Prospects....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
1946 Roy Campanella Handwritten Letter to Branch Rickey Regarding Black Prospects. Simply extraordinary document rates among the most important and desirable Heritage has ever had the privilege to handle, mailed in the midst of the most socially consequential era in our National Pastime's history. While we all know that Branch Rickey chose the brave Jackie Robinson to take the first dangerous step across baseball's color line in April of 1947, this letter mailed to him six months earlier from another future Brooklyn Dodgers legend suggests two other African-American prospects:"As far as colored base ball players, for definite prospects, Monty (sic) Irvin and Larry Doby are tops at present. I've seen a lot of them, but none as great as these two. They have good habits on and off the field. I'd like for you to get in touch with Larry Doby, because scouts for the Cleveland Indians and Phila. Phillies have talked to him already."
Doby, of course, would be the first to integrate the American League as a member of the Indians, and Campy's advice would be proven rock-solid by history, as both players suggested in this letter would earn Cooperstown enshrinement at the close of their careers.
Just the second Campy ALS to reach the block of a major sports auction house this decade, this is a piece that would thrill autograph collectors even in the absence of its pre-integration vintage and historic content regarding the sport's impending sea change. The condition is the final brilliant feather in the cap, with all ink 9+/10, and the page itself flawless but for original mailing folds and a red circle drawn around the sender's surname. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.
1946 Roy Campanella Handwritten Letter to Branch Rickey Regarding Black Prospects.
*A donation of $100 to the American Red Cross is required to attend the Live auction.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping
Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions
Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments
Glossary of Terms
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 02/23/2019
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/23/2019
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 02/25/2019
Rare Books
Ends on 03/06/2019
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/08/2019
US Coins
Ends on 03/14/2019
Musical Instruments
Ends on 03/15/2019
Entertainment
Ends on 03/16/2019
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/19/2019
Fine & Rare Wine
Opens about 02/25/2019
Fine Art
Opens about 02/25/2019
Movie Posters
Opens about 03/01/2019
Photography
Opens about 03/15/2019
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/25/2019
Fine Art
Opens about 03/26/2019
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 03/27/2019
Historical
Opens about 04/01/2019
Illustration Art
Opens about 04/02/2019
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
Heritage auctions is more than just an auction business. They are in the 'preserving history' business as well.View More Testimonials