May Pickups

Topnotchsy · #1 05-24-2021, 10:01 PM

Possibly the most exciting pickup I've had in a few years. It's an item I've been looking for (and posting on the BST boards here) for a few years.

1946 Nashua Dodgers Don Newcombe Contract

To provide a bit of historical background (which I'm sure is familiar to many here). In the off-season between the 1945 and 1946 baseball seasons, the Dodgers made history by signing 4 black players. Famously, the first player they signed (who would also break the color barrier when he was the first called up to the Majors after 1 season in the Minors) was Jackie Robinson. After Robinson, they signed a pitcher named John Wright who was to be Jackie's roommate. He had talent, but struggled under the circumstances and never made the Majors. Both players initially played for the Dodger's AAA team in Montreal. Branch Rickey understood the challenge these players would face, and so wanted to make sure they were paired off.

The other pair of black players that Rickey signed were Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe. While initially assigned to Danville, IL, they were reassigned to play for the Nashua Dodgers (under manager Walt Alston) after the Danville team indicated they were not ready to integrate.

A number of years back I was lucky enough to acquire Roy Campanella's 1946 Nashua contract (as well as his Danville contract). I had been searching and trying to acquire Newcombe's Nashua contract for years with no success.

Recently I was able to work a deal for Newcombe's Nashua contract, and I'm thrilled to be able to add it to the collection alongside the Campanella contracts from the same season.

For me when it comes to integration, the contract, which was in many ways the first step towards integration, was a huge deal. Both Newcombe and Campanella signed their contracts before Jackie (or any other black player) had played a game in the Minors or Majors.

Mark · #2 05-26-2021, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

Possibly the most exciting pickup I've had in a few years. It's an item I've been looking for (and posting on the BST boards here) for a few years.

1946 Nashua Dodgers Don Newcombe Contract

To provide a bit of historical background (which I'm sure is familiar to many here). In the off-season between the 1945 and 1946 baseball seasons, the Dodgers made history by signing 4 black players. Famously, the first player they signed (who would also break the color barrier when he was the first called up to the Majors after 1 season in the Minors) was Jackie Robinson. After Robinson, they signed a pitcher named John Wright who was to be Jackie's roommate. He had talent, but struggled under the circumstances and never made the Majors. Both players initially played for the Dodger's AAA team in Montreal. Branch Rickey understood the challenge these players would face, and so wanted to make sure they were paired off.

The other pair of black players that Rickey signed were Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe. While initially assigned to Danville, IL, they were reassigned to play for the Nashua Dodgers (under manager Walt Alston) after the Danville team indicated they were not ready to integrate.

A number of years back I was lucky enough to acquire Roy Campanella's 1946 Nashua contract (as well as his Danville contract). I had been searching and trying to acquire Newcombe's Nashua contract for years with no success.

Recently I was able to work a deal for Newcombe's Nashua contract, and I'm thrilled to be able to add it to the collection alongside the Campanella contracts from the same season.

For me when it comes to integration, the contract, which was in many ways the first step towards integration, was a huge deal. Both Newcombe and Campanella signed their contracts before Jackie (or any other black player) had played a game in the Minors or Majors.

That's a very interesting piece. It's gratifying to learn that your focused collecting meets with success.

UKCardGuy · #3 05-28-2021, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

Possibly the most exciting pickup I've had in a few years. It's an item I've been looking for (and posting on the BST boards here) for a few years.

1946 Nashua Dodgers Don Newcombe Contract

To provide a bit of historical background (which I'm sure is familiar to many here). In the off-season between the 1945 and 1946 baseball seasons, the Dodgers made history by signing 4 black players. Famously, the first player they signed (who would also break the color barrier when he was the first called up to the Majors after 1 season in the Minors) was Jackie Robinson. After Robinson, they signed a pitcher named John Wright who was to be Jackie's roommate. He had talent, but struggled under the circumstances and never made the Majors. Both players initially played for the Dodger's AAA team in Montreal. Branch Rickey understood the challenge these players would face, and so wanted to make sure they were paired off.

The other pair of black players that Rickey signed were Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe. While initially assigned to Danville, IL, they were reassigned to play for the Nashua Dodgers (under manager Walt Alston) after the Danville team indicated they were not ready to integrate.

A number of years back I was lucky enough to acquire Roy Campanella's 1946 Nashua contract (as well as his Danville contract). I had been searching and trying to acquire Newcombe's Nashua contract for years with no success.

Recently I was able to work a deal for Newcombe's Nashua contract, and I'm thrilled to be able to add it to the collection alongside the Campanella contracts from the same season.

For me when it comes to integration, the contract, which was in many ways the first step towards integration, was a huge deal. Both Newcombe and Campanella signed their contracts before Jackie (or any other black player) had played a game in the Minors or Majors.

That's a great piece (especially as you have the matching Campanella contract). Thanks for the additional background info. I learned a few things.

While not as exciting as that, this 1920 Spalding Guide arrived today. I was pleased with the condition. It features the 1919 World Series and the Black Sox team as well as Ruth.

Topnotchsy · #4 05-30-2021, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

That's a very interesting piece. It's gratifying to learn that your focused collecting meets with success.

Thank you! Definitely gratifying to find something that's a real centerpiece to the collection. I can go many months without finding anything that really fits, so almost any pick-up is a big deal for this collection. (I collect other areas as well, since a "once-every-few-months" collection isn't keeping me busy enough haha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKCardGuy

That's a great piece (especially as you have the matching Campanella contract). Thanks for the additional background info. I learned a few things.

While not as exciting as that, this 1920 Spalding Guide arrived today. I was pleased with the condition. It features the 1919 World Series and the Black Sox team as well as Ruth.

Thank you! And my pleasure. One of the joys of collecting is the way it leads to uncovering fascinating history; which inevitably shines a light on other items to collect.

The Guide you picked up there is awesome! Love the pictures from that era!

rlevy · #5 05-30-2021, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

Possibly the most exciting pickup I've had in a few years. It's an item I've been looking for (and posting on the BST boards here) for a few years.

1946 Nashua Dodgers Don Newcombe Contract.

Jeff, great addition to your incredible collection. I know you have been chasing that one for quite a while, good to see it finally made it into the proper home.

Rick

Topnotchsy · #6 06-03-2021, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlevy

Jeff, great addition to your incredible collection. I know you have been chasing that one for quite a while, good to see it finally made it into the proper home.

Rick

I really appreciate that! Thrilled to be able to acquire it and a little awed by the history of it honestly.

ruth-gehrig · #7 06-08-2021, 09:53 AM

Ive seen the business card holder with similar player but not a letter opener.

CarltonHendricks · #8 06-08-2021, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Ive seen the business card holder with similar player but not a letter opener.

very nice

MGHPro · #9 06-09-2021, 08:29 PM

Man that�s cool

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Ive seen the business card holder with similar player but not a letter opener.

perezfan · #10 06-09-2021, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruth-gehrig

Ive seen the business card holder with similar player but not a letter opener.

Used to be mine. Love it, but never found a good way to display it. And later, I envisioned my wife stabbing me with it if I kept spending money.

Glad it found a great home!

eastonfalcon19 · #11 06-09-2021, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perezfan

Used to be mine. Love it, but never found a good way to display it. And later, I envisioned my wife stabbing me with it if I kept spending money.

Glad it found a great home!

Haha...that is a good reason to get rid of it.

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