1957 NAACP Freedom Fund Campaign Folder Jackie Robinson BVG FAIR 1.5

Presented is an exceedingly rare memento from Jackie Robinson's post-career work with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The NAACP's Fight for Freedom Fund, which began in 1953, aimed to raise one million dollars per year for the NAACP’s anti-segregation efforts. It had never met that goal, but in 1957 Robinson volunteered to chair the fund, with the hopes that he could meet or exceed that dollar expectation. That year Robinson worked tirelessly for the fund, including a cross-country speaking tour that helped raise thousands of dollars at each stop. Robinson's appearances drew huge crowds wherever he went, and his speeches so motivated people that many spontaneously donated money from their pockets at the events. Robinson's efforts paid off and the fund finally met its $1 million goal that year. There are remarkably few collectables relating to Robinson's important work with this cause. We have offered a large advertising poster as well as a letter featuring Robinson on the letterhead, both of which were from 1957 NAACP work. To the best of our knowledge, a small find of these campaign folders emerged more than twenty years ago, and the offered example is from that find. The front of the folder has a very prominent image of Robinson alongside a graphic while the reverse features important contribution information and coupon. Encapsulated and graded 1.5 by BVG, this piece measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches and presents extremely well - far better than suggested by its technically accurate grade, which is due to a small tear in the lower right corner. The piece would (outside of encapsulation) open up to reveal a two-page spread of information on the interior, which is posted online for review. This is an outstanding and noteworthy rarity with great historical significance because of the limited number of promotional items relating to Robinson's post-career civil rights work that exist today.