1949 Jackie Robinson Original News Photo by Barney Stein Used for Robinson's 1950 Bowman Card - PSA/DNA Type 1

Sold For:

$600

Year:

1949

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

1948

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

This original photograph, taken by noted baseball photographer Barney Stein, captures Jackie Robinson posing in a batting stance at Ebbets Field. Accompanied by an LOA from PSA/DNA certifying it is a "Type 1 Original News Service Photograph." If this photo looks familiar to collectors, it's because this very image of Robinson was later used to create his 1950 Bowman baseball card. A credit stamp on the reverse reads "Notice - This picture is not to be used directly or indirectly with commercial advertising or indorsement [sic]. Brooklyn National League Baseball Club, Inc." An editorial notation also appears on reverse. Barney Stein, who worked for the New York Post from 1939 to 1970, was also the official photographer of the Brooklyn Dodgers for over twenty years. This is an iconic image of Robinson and one that should appeal equally to both Brooklyn Dodgers and baseball-card collectors. As a point of reference, we have only seen a few other Type 1 examples of this photo at auction, one of which sold for $4,063 in 2015. The photo (8 x 8 inches) displays a diagonal two-inch trim along the top, but Robinson's image, save for the extreme tip of his bat, remains completely intact. A number of moderate creases and a small edge tear are also evident. Reserve $300. Estimate (open).