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Circa 1941 Jackie Robinson Handwritten Letter with Hardship Content - "My Folks are in Need of Money. . . Eventually I Will Pay It All Back" (PSA)
Two-page (on each side of a single sheet) handwritten letter, undated, signed by Jackie Robinson. In his letter, written on "Hotel Leamington" (Oakland, California) letterhead, Robinson writes to Bob Campbell and expresses his regret at not being able to fully pay his debt. In part: "Dear Mr. Campbell, I just wanted to say hello and send you a few dollars on my bill I know it isn't much but at the present time my folks are in need of money and I have to take it easy. Eventually I will pay it all back but it will have to take time.... I feel your help has helped me very much and if I can ever do anything that I can do for you I will be more than glad.... I will always remember you as one of the best friends a person could have. Hope you will find time to drop me a line in care of Cal Poly N.Y.A. San Luis Obispo and let me know how you and the family are making out." Signed "Sincerely a friend Jack Robinson." Both the signature and text are scripted in blue fountain pen and grade 9/10 overall. Bob Campbell and his wife were longtime owners of a bookshop near the U.C.L.A. campus and became close friends of Robinson while he was attending college. Although undated, based upon the content, Robinson most likely wrote this letter sometime in 1941. As alluded to here, financial problems at home forced Robinson to leave U.C.L.A. in 1941 and seek work. He eventually took a job as an assistant athletic director with the National Youth Administration (NYA) and he stayed with the NYA for approximately a year before enlisting in the Army in 1942. This is an extremely early Robinson letter and one that provides insight to his personal life prior to his professional baseball career. The letter (7.25x10.5"), which has one vertical and two horizontal mailing folds, displays light toning and a few small creases. Full LOA from PSA.
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