Upon his retirement from baseball in 1957, Jackie Robinson devoted considerable effort to directly supporting civil rights causes, and began working with the NAACP during this crucial period of the civil rights movement.  That same year, Robinson became the spokesperson for the NAACP's Freedom Fund campaign, a program which set a goal of raising $1,000,000 to fund efforts to change segregation laws and promote equality.  Robinson's effort was extremely successful, helping the campaign exceed its ambitious goal.  While he only chaired this effort during 1957, Robinson remained on the NAACP board of directors until 1967.

Though Robinson's achievements in helping the Freedom Fund campaign meet its 1957 goals are well-documented, there are few promotional items that picture Robinson.  Aside from a single Freedom Fund Campaign poster that has appeared in public auction three times in the past two decades, and a campaign letter, this campaign folder is the only other promotional item that memorializes involvement with the campaign.

The folder is distinctly card-like in appearance, measuring approximately 3 1/2" x 5" in its folded form.  The front of the folder features a black and white portrait image of Robinson in professional attire, the reverse including donation and membership in formation.  The interior provides additional detail - our website includes a scan of an image of the interior pages.  The card has been graded VG-EX+ 4.5 by BVG, largely maintaining an EX/MT appearance, save for some faint soiling at the bottom right corner of the front, and some which is slightly more visible in the bottom left corner of the reverse.  This example originates from a small find of examples that were discovered several decades ago.

It is impossible to overstate the impact that Jackie Robinson had on American sports and society as a whole, but his impact often overlooked the hard work he did to change perception one person at a time, and to influence individual lives.  In a conversation with Hank Aaron, Robinson illustrated his priorities, stating "the game of baseball is great, but the greatest thing is what you do after your career is over."  A political independent, Robinson held both conservative and liberal beliefs, but continued to work for civil rights.  He was the first Black person to serve as an analyst for ABC's Game of the Week telecasts, was the General Manager for the Brooklyn Dodgers of the Continental Football League, and was the first Black vice president of a major American corporation.  Late in his short life, he worked hard to encourage Major League Baseball to promote minority managers and front office personnel.  Robinson died in 1972 at just 53 years of age, one of the most important Americans to have ever lived.

An outstanding, seldom-seen promotional item representing the tremendous post-baseball achievements of Jackie Robinson, by his account the most important part of his great life.