Nine years ago, Josh Evans conducted an auction at the National Sports
Collectors Convention. The auction's beneficiary was the Jackie Robinson
Foundation. Evans collected auction items from consignors, valued at an
estimated $25,000, and the event summarily was a success. Everyone was
happy, including Rachel Robinson, the widow of the Dodger legend. Thus
began a business relationship between Mrs. Robinson and Evans. They stayed
in touch in the ensuing years, and three years ago she approached Leland's
about selling 1,200 checks signed by her husband. To the public, the checks
would range in price from $295 to $495; and in size from full-sized checks
to smaller personal checks. Checks signed during his playing days were
mostly signed "Jackie Robinson"; other checks were signed Jack R. Robinson.
Those who bought 10 or more checks received a quantity discount. In a
year's time about half the checks sold, then the project "was put aside"
temporarily. In the meantime, Mrs. Robinson was approached by television
shopping networks and even Score Board, Inc. Something about their
respective approaches was distasteful. Yet, Rachel Robinson encouraged
Evans to resurrect activity on selling the checks. At the beginning of
1997, the lion's share of the checks were sold to dealer Rick Kohl of
Florida. Since that time, he has sold about half of the 527 checks that he
purchased.
(Complete story features interviews with other dealers of Robinson
memorabilia.)
Nine years ago, Josh Evans conducted an auction at the National Sports
Collectors Convention. The auction's beneficiary was the Jackie Robinson
Foundation. Evans collected auction items from consignors, valued at an
estimated $25,000, and the event summarily was a success. Everyone was
happy, including Rachel Robinson, the widow of the Dodger legend. Thus
began a business relationship between Mrs. Robinson and Evans. They stayed
in touch in the ensuing years, and three years ago she approached Leland's
about selling 1,200 checks signed by her husband. To the public, the checks
would range in price from $295 to $495; and in size from full-sized checks
to smaller personal checks. Checks signed during his playing days were
mostly signed "Jackie Robinson"; other checks were signed Jack R. Robinson.
Those who bought 10 or more checks received a quantity discount. In a
year's time about half the checks sold, then the project "was put aside"
temporarily. In the meantime, Mrs. Robinson was approached by television
shopping networks and even Score Board, Inc. Something about their
respective approaches was distasteful. Yet, Rachel Robinson encouraged
Evans to resurrect activity on selling the checks. At the beginning of
1997, the lion's share of the checks were sold to dealer Rick Kohl of
Florida. Since that time, he has sold about half of the 527 checks that he
purchased.