This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2023
WOW! Not sure if we can make sense of how truly amazing this photograph is not just to the history of baseball but for all of sports. When Jackie Robinson suited up with the Montreal Royals on March 4, 1946, it marked the first time an African American appeared with a minor league team in the 20th century. This evocative portrait was taken on that momentous day, making it the very first photograph of Robinson in organized baseball. This is also the only known photograph that has the ultimate title of 1ST MTL ROYALS on it. Here that special day the photographer captures a wonderful shot Robinson’s look of both confidence and uncertainty of what the future holds not knowing how truly special it would be.
The back of the photograph carries several handwritten notations including the original caption slug which is partially written ‘DODGER FARM SYSTEM MARCH 4. THE SHORTSTOP IS SHOWN AT FLORIDA TRAINING CAMP AS HE IS HAVING HIS FIRST TRYOUT FOR THE MONTREAL CLUB’. The name “Cy Seidman,” a prominent New York-based photographer, is handwritten in pencil. There is a Culver Pictures stamp and residue of other cation slugs and stickers. Measuring 7 x 9, there is some light edge and corner wear. Any minor condition issues are related almost exclusively to the perimeter border areas. The detail and clarity are crystal clear with the portrait presenting magnificently overall in tremendous condition. The photograph his been encapsulated and graded Type 1 Authentic by PSA.