[batsballsbases]

Originally Posted by joshleland

Just saw this post. I am happy to report that I have had this pin before, and i know it's exact origin. This was a promo piece used as a fund raiser for the Jackie Robinson Foundation. I had just one of two of them that I obtained from Rachel Robinson in the early 90s. Not a lot of them were made and I believe I had one other from another source but of that I am not 100%. It may have been that I got them on two different occasions. I sold them for 100-150$ back at the time I got them. I doubt I kept one although i do keep some Jackie stuff. I always liked it though as it is a great looking pin. I later dated it, I believe around 1988 based on another piece like a poster with the same design. That was a slogan of the Foundation. It could have been for the first JRF Jazz Concert but that is just a distant thought, don't count on it. It could be their first big fundraising program although the foundation predates that. But I'm 110% sure about the source, authenticity and general age. I recall they came in a sealed plastic bag. I do not believe this was aged either as the front is unaffected. Not a bad buy at 80$, as its a true rarity and condition of the front is nice. Generally pin collectors care a lot less about mount rust except for P2's of when deciding between two identical condition pieces except for the back rust. I believe one of the posters was hanging at the old JRF offices by the Empire State Building of else I saw it in the archive. The JRF is downtown now.

I have handled all the memorabilia dealings for Rachel Robinson from the 1980s to this day. She probably gave them to me cause I asked. There were always a couple lying around the offices. She gave me some pretty cool stuff over the years and I sold stuff that is up there with pieces in the Smithsonian let alone our little hobby. Sure I wish I had it all back but I never look back. What I do look back on is that Lelands' relationship with Rachel Robinson is one of my proudest accomplishments. I was there with Rachel and her children at the 42 movie premiere and I had recalled how badly she always wanted a quality, successful film of Jackie's life. Ultimately, having that dream come true and sharing it with her in some small way was sweet. That is a night I'll never forget.

Joshua Leland Evans
Chairman
Lelands.com

Hi Josh,
Hope all is well with you. Like I had said 80s or 90s and thanks for giving the info on where it came from. But as for condition front has lots of rust spots and is crushed in 2 places, as a collector that would turn me off right away. Might be a rare piece per say but as an advanced pin collector it wouldnt be in my top 10.. and as for price I guess that would be up to the person buying it but $80 and above for it would be a stretch in my opinion..