Possibly Unique 1948 Well Made Pants Jackie Robinson Postcard

Sold For:

$1,320

Year:

1948

Auction:

2020 Spring

Lot #:

880

Category:

Postwar Baseball - 1950s Cards

Presented is an extraordinary and possibly unique 1948 Well Made Pants Jackie Robinson oversized postcard, the first of its kind that we have ever offered or even seen. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only example of this postcard that we know to exist. Almost identical in design to the well-known 1947 Pleetwood Slacks Robinson card, this black-and-white card measures 5-1/2 x 7 inches and depicts Robinson from the chest up dressed in a suit and posed in a formal studio portrait. A facsimile signature ("Best Wishes/Jackie Robinson") appears on his shoulder and a white border is along the right side. The reverse of the card has the company name and address printed in black on the upper left. The postcard has been addressed and mailed, with the postmark dated "1948" from Baltimore, MD. Based on an article we found online, which was written in a vintage Clothing Trade publication, it was confirmed that Jacob A. Pleet (Pleetwood Slacks brand), owned the Well Made Pants Company of Baltimore. This card was likely produced as a giveaway for stores selling the Well Made Pants brands and may have even been used as an autograph vehicle for any appearances made by Robinson on the company's behalf. Encapsulated as Authentic by BVG, the card presents very well but has a number of condition flaws, including scattered creasing, moderate edge and corner wear, and light soiling on the reverse. While at this late date we can only speculate on how exactly this postcard was distributed, it is a certainty that this is an extremely rare (and very likely unique) and early collectible featuring legendary Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson that would be at home in any advanced Robinson or type-card collection. Reserve $500. Estimate (open).