1948 Swell Jackie Robinson The Granddaddy of Rookie Cards The King of cultural relevance
1948_Swell_Robinson
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Every Jackie Robinson collectible from his playing days is worthy of high honor and value, but there is one card with special attributes that stands a little taller, and it happens to be one of his rookie cards; The 1948 Swell Sport Thrills Jackie Robinson, The Granddaddy of Rookie Cards and the King of cultural relevance.
With less than 200 Robinson's having been graded, it is a tough card to find. In fact, it was considered a rarity way back in 1963 when the set was highlighted in the December 1963 issue of 'The Card Collector' as; "another one of those cards that the average collector will never be able to obtain." "The set consists of only 20 cards and when available they sell from 15-25 cents each. Extremely hard to find."
Below is an original work. Enjoy the write up of this most extraordinary and eye striking baseball card.
Below is the text of the write up in case it is hard to read in the image picture:
1948 Swell Sport Thrills Jackie Robinson
The Granddaddy of rookie cards
The most significant baseball card of the 20th century
Its historical significance demands attention immediately. The words "Dramatic Debut" succinctly and explicitly classifies this his rookie baseball card and conveys the story of Jackie Robinson in just two words as good as any card, movie, or book ever did. The 1948 Swell Jackie Robinson leaves an indelible mark as a trailblazer in baseball card collecting and emblazons itself as an icon in society unlike any other card.
Dripping with history and majesty this cardboard gem is the first baseball card ever to specifically designate and title itself as a rookie card. “Dramatic Debut” titled boldly and triumphantly on both the front and back of the card leaves no doubt what it is, the rookie card of the most important rookie ever…Jackie Robinson.
It is the predecessor to Pete Rose's "Rookie Stars", Ken Griffey JR's Upper Deck rookie, and to the entire ensemble of cards that are part of the rookie card craze, which has gripped the hobby and never let go. This is the Granddaddy to them all, the earliest example of a modern rookie card; a treasure from the ‘Greatest Generation’…the very first Jackie Robinson baseball card that could be pulled from a pack, marking the beginning of the modern era of baseball cards.
The obverse of the card is unique to its era and is perhaps the most significant aspect of the card. It is the first baseball card to highlight Jackie being the “first of his race” to play in Major League Baseball, and the ONLY baseball card of that era to venture into any sort of adjective explanation of what he endured: "Few players ever started a season under more tense or dramatic conditions than Jackie Robinson." This is the only baseball card of that era to dare touch upon the duress in his tale, cementing itself as a landmark point in history, and establishing the card an iconic status unmatched in societal importance.
While the rest of the cards in the Sport Thrills set focus primarily on specific highlights or plays in baseball history, this card is much different with its timely inclusion and focused subject matter of Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers; covering his recent dramatic debut, Rookie of Year honor, examples of his sensational play, and giving a biography better than most cards of that era.
As baseball cards go this does what its supposed to do; shows a picture of the player, gives a biography or stat line on the back, assigns a number, and is included as part of a self identified set; “SPORT THRILLS” “Featuring the greatest names in baseball.” “Collect entire series.” “SWELL BUBBLE GUM.” In addition, it’s thick durable card stock resonates deeply in the collecting senses, establishing its "card" status and further separating itself from the paper thin, blank back pictured, or advertising ephemera of the era. It checks all the boxes of what a rookie baseball card is.
Printed in 1948, with its rarity being far greater than its contemporaries, it is astounding to realize how few examples actually exist today with less than 200 having been graded. In fact, it was even considered a rarity not long after the outset of its production. In the December 1963 issue of The Card Collector, it was stated in regard to the Sport Thrills set as "another one of those cards that the average collector will never be able to obtain." "The set contains only 20 cards and when available they sell from 15-25 cents each. Extremely hard to find."
It's a first of its kind and its place in history is growing quickly. The fact that its rarity has kept the majority of collectors from even knowing of its existence will only enhance its desirability once mainstream consciousness ascends upon this treasure. The difficulty finding a well centered example rivals any other centering challenged card in the collecting industry. With its rarity, comprehensive qualities, and uniqueness being unmatched, it has established itself as the single most significant Jackie Robinson baseball card there is. When looking at a combination of baseball and societal importance...it becomes the most significant baseball card ever.
Comments
I enjoyed it!
Thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to write about this. I had no idea that card existed until now. It truly is a rare and fascinating treasure.
You're welcome!
You're welcome. I have a feeling that a lot of people in the collecting industry have not known about this card. When the set was featured in the December 1963 issue of The Card Collector, the Goose Goslin card was featured with a picture. It has been said that had the Robinson card been the one featured instead, that the card would have been on people's radar much more.
Since they are quite hard to find, that is another reason.
It is a beautiful card and one of his rookie cards. All his early stuff from the 1940's are great collectibles. I figured it was time to honor this one.
It is the self titled "Dramatic Debut" that is the eye catcher. The back of the card is the historic gem, being the only card of the era that mentions the duress in his tale.
Robinson didn't start in MLB until age 28 due to segregation. He served in WWII which also inhibited growth as a player, and yet still put up HOF worthy performance.
The back of the card is his only card of his playing days that even mentions any duress in his breaking the race barrier. In such short space as given on the back of a baseball card, the writer of that biography hit a home run in conveying the story of Mr. Robinson in such concise and dramatic fashion.
In terms of education for a younger generation, this is a 'show N tell' card, conveying baseball card history and societal history in one tidy package.
Terrific card and nice write up. I am not completely sold on calling it the King of Cultural Relevance. While acknowledging Jackie Robinson's contributions is significant, we can look at the integrated recording sessions in Jazz as being perhaps more significant as that trend started about 20 years earlier. Jelly Roll Morton recorded with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings in the Gennett Recording studio in Richmond, Indiana in 1923. Fats Waller and his Buddies featured Jack Teagarden, Gene Krupa and Eddie Condon recorded together in a Victor studio in 1929. The legendary Bubber Miley played in the Leo Reisman band live in the finest hotels in NYC in 1929 and recorded in the Victor studio in the 1929-30 time frame. Sadly, it must be noted that Miley's performances with Reisman was segregated as he played behind a screen and one could see his image and the contrast in lighting. Miley wore different attire than the other band members as well. But perhaps the most significant event came in 1933 when Billie Holiday recorded her first record. She also was a featured vocalist with Artie Shaw's Band in 1938. These appearances and recordings are often forgotten
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Coinkat, thank you...and right back at you, very nice information you posted there yourself. I see your point. I have to keep Jackie as a King of cultural relevance, and it is geared more toward sports...but I would concede and say there can be more than one King, they just follow each others' rule.
Seems I left out an important part... Billie Holiday's first record was recorded with Benny Goodman for Columbia. I recall seeing a blue wax copy of the record about 40 years ago
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