Letters and more: the best Jackie Robinson collection ever?

Rachel Robinson is shown accepting the Congressional Medal of Honor for her husband in 2005. (Photo credit: Eric Draper, Wikimedia Commons)
Rachel Robinson is shown accepting the Congressional Medal of Honor for her husband in 2005. (Photo credit: Eric Draper, Wikimedia Commons)

Except, it’s not for sale. Never will be, either.

The Jackie Robinson Papers were donated to the Library of Congress by Rachel Robinson in 2001. 

More than 7,000 items make up this collection. Most importantly, correspondence makes up a healthy part of the collection. Fan mail from around the world. 

Jackie’s own editing on the manuscripts for his two biographies.

Who knows? Some player’s wife might be collecting the letters you send, too!

Are Baseball Wife Autographs Collectible?

So many baseball legends are gone.

Patricia Maris autograph, anyone?

Their stories aren’t.

Their wives remain. The movie 42 will remind the world that many a star player might have been far less without a supportive spouse.

Rachel Robinson knows. For a $10 donation to the Jackie Robinson Foundation, she’ll sign.

Other wives could be moved to sign, too. I’ve seen some interviews from Patricia Maris, wishing aloud that Roger could get Hall of Fame consideration.

As a generation of stars disappear, I’m looking to write to their wives. Baseball history is still there. We just have to look harder.

Readers: would you collect autographs of baseball wives? Why, or why not?