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1955 Jackie Robinson Handwritten Letter to Carly Simon's Mother - Signed Letter and Envelope (PSA)
Two-page handwritten letter (on two sides of a single sheet), undated, signed by Jackie Robinson. In his letter, on Pyramid Hotel and Investment Company letterhead, Robinson writes to Andrea Simon, mother of acclaimed singer/songwriter Carly Simon, and wife of publisher Richard Simon (Simon & Schuster).To put this letter in its proper context, one has to understand the events that preceded it. Despite Jackie Robinson's fame and accomplishments on the baseball field, both he and his wife Rachel experienced overt racism while attempting to purchase a house in the all-white suburbs of New York and Connecticut during the mid-1950s They were ultimately befriended by Richard and Andrea Simon, who invited local clergy and real estate agents to a meeting in their home in Stamford, Connecticut, to address the situation. Their efforts paid off and the Robinsons eventually built a new home in Stamford. In this letter, Robinson, who was in Florida at the time attending spring training, affirms how much he values the Simons' friendship. In part:Dear Andrea, I cannot tell you how much I appreciated your being so nice to us and what you did for Rachel when she was sick. I have never run across anyone like you and your family and I am sure my life is much fuller because of it. We are very fortunate in having friends like you and I sincerely hope we will always be worthy of that friendship. Rachel told me of the way you have helped and I just want you to know I will never forget it. . . . Rae told me Dick is interested in doing the book which is flattering indeed and I hope it will turn out well. I am sure of one thing. If anyone does it I sincerely hope it will by Simon & Schuster because I am sure that it will be done right. . . "Signed "Sincerely, Jackie Robinson." Both the signature and text are scripted in blue ink and grade 10/10. Although the letter is undated, it is accompanied by its original mailing envelope, addressed to "Mrs. Richard Simon," which is postmarked "Mar 29 1955." A second blue-ink Jackie Robinson signature (grading 8/10) appears on the envelope as part of the return address. Full LOA from PSA.
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