This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 6/25/2015.
5 ½” x 8 ½” stationery from “The SORENO HOTEL” in “ST. PETERSBURG FLORIDA”. The stationary has been signed by 17 members of Major League Baseball, most of which were a part of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Notable signatures include Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Billy Herman and Frank Frisch. Additional signatures include: Billy Cox, Jim “Red” Corriden, Cookie Lavagetto, Billy Loes, Ralph Branca, Chuck Dressen, Joe Black, George Pfister, Bill Antonello, Jack Banta, Joe Landrum, Clem Labine and Gil Hodges. All signatures are in black fountain pen, in our opinion the signatures rate an almost perfect 10 overall. What’s so interesting about this particular piece is that The Soreno Hotel refused to desegregate and as a result, in 1961, the Yankees decided to move their Spring Training to a different city. So, while Jackie signed this particular sheet of paper, he was not allowed to stay at The Soreno. The Soreno Hotel was demolished in 1992, but many Major League teams frequented this hotel throughout their Spring Training seasons. The stationery is in NM-MT condition. Accompanied by a full LOA from JSA and a vintage postcard of the hotel.