While the market for vintage signed cards has certainly skyrocketed in recent years, few subjects have experienced more of a price explosion than Jackie Robinson. Just five years ago, Love of the Game sold a signed 1950 Bowman example for $13,200, a price that turned heads. Just weeks ago, a signed 1949 example approached the astonishing price of $400,000, with later signed examples routinely stretching well into the five figures.
Presented here is a spectacular example of Robinson's popular 1956 Topps issue, a bold, clear signature and inscription applied just under the text box and above the facsimile autograph. Bold and legible, even against the dark background of the card, the signature has been awarded a grade of MINT 9 by PSA/DNA. The card itself is spectacular, well-centered with midgrade corners and a crisp, clean surface. The card clearly spent some time mounted in a scrapbook or photo album, as evidenced by some light areas of paper loss on the reverse, along the top and bottom edges, which reduce the technical grade of the card. The card front, however, bears the appearance of an EX or EX+ card. Between the visual appeal of the card and the spectacular autograph, this is unquestionably one of the finest signed 1956 Topps Robinsons extant.
All signed cards of Jackie Robinson are rare. In fact, of all his mainstream issues (Topps, Bowman and Leaf), PSA's population reports count just 85 of all years combined, with just 12 examples of this, his final mainstream card. A beautiful, sharp card with a rarely-seen autograph graded MINT 9 by PSA/DNA, one of the more desirable subjects of all vintage signed cards.