The 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers and loyal fan base had to feel great coming off a triumphant '55 World Series campaign that saw the franchise finally overcome its crosstown rivals from the Bronx and rid itself of that decades-long, lovable-losers "Dem Bums" moniker. After holding off the Milwaukee Braves for the National League pennant, the Dodgers again faced the Yankees in the Fall Classic, this time coming up just short in a thrilling seven-game series. Season highlights included another 40-homer season from Duke Snider (his 4th in a stretch of 5 straight) and a dominant campaign from Don Newcombe, whose 27-7 record earned him both NL Cy Young and MVP honors (becoming the first NL pitcher ever to do so). On an uplifting note, young hurlers Koufax and Drysdale began to show the form that would make them one of the greatest 1-2 ace duos in baseball history. On a sadder note, 1956 marked the final season for 37-year-old Jackie Robinson.
Offered here is a vintage autograph album with 31 total signatures primarily from the 1956 NL Champion Brooklyn Dodgers. The Indian red colored, leather-bound album includes eight Hall of Fame autographs: Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Roy Campanella, Gil Hodges, Pee Wee Reese, manager Walter Alston, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale (twice). Other notables are Jim Gilliam, Carl Furillo, Don Newcombe, Carl Erskine (thrice), Roger Craig, Charlie Neal, Don Zimmer, Ed Roebuck, Bob Darnell, Chuck Templeton (twice), Billy Loes, Gino Cimoli, Ken Lehman, Jim Hughes, Charley Thompson (Charles Lemoine Thompson, went by nickname "Tim"), Randy Jackson and Don Elston. Also included is Francis J. "Happy" Felton, a famous entertainer responsible for commercializing the personalities of Dodgers players through kids-focused TV programs. Happy Felton's Knothole Gang would bring in three youngsters each episode to work out with players in the right-field bullpen before home games at Ebbets Field. Felton died in 1964 and his autograph is quite rare.
Signatures have been penned in bold blue ballpoint ink (mostly 8-9.5/10) on white, green and pink album pages for tremendous eye appeal. The name of the young elementary school student from P.S. 139 (a public school in Queens, NY) who procured each autograph is provided towards the front on a page describing all his favorites: athlete ("Jackie Robinson"), sports, author, book, song, high school, college profession and motto ("Practice makes perfect."). An truly one-of-a-kind personal relic containing famous signatures from a special group of Brooklyn Dodgers players and characters. Includes LOA from JSA with no clubhouse signatures identified as all had to be obtained by the kid in person. Not sure why JSA says "Spring Training" in their letter; maybe because a couple guys were not officially part of the '56 regular season team like Tim Thompson (played for '54 Dodgers) or Don Elston (played for '57 Dodgers) who spent time in the Dodgers farm system.