Mel Crawford (Canadian, B. 1925) "Jackie Robinson" Signed lower right. Original Mixed Media painting on Cold Press Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 20 Jackie Robinson stamp issued August 2, 1982. "I remember standing alone at first base -- the only black man on the field. I had to fight hard against loneliness, abuse, and the knowledge that any mistake I made would be magnified because I was the only black man out there. I had to fight hard to become just another guy." Such were the memories of one of baseball's greatest athletes, Jack Roosevelt Robinson, the first black American to break major league baseball's color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Indeed, it was an uphill fight for Robinson, for the taunts, name-calling and physical threats he received were to become a way of life at first. But despite the pressure of racial hostility, "Jackie" became an immediate success, and went on to become one of the most exciting baseball players of his era, earning the respect of Brooklyn fans of all colors and the love of black Americans from coast to coast. In fact, in the spring of his first year with the Dodgers, Jackie stunned the world of baseball by leading the National League in stolen bases, and for doing so, was chosen Rookie of the Year. Over the years, Jackie's fame as an exciting, versatile competitor and an electrifying base runner grew tremendously, eventually earning him major league baseball's highest honor ... induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. This resulted from his dual contribution to baseball -- his brilliance on the field and his courageous struggle that paved the way for hundreds of black athletes who followed. Image Size: 14.25 x 12.25 in. Overall Size: 17.25 x 14.75 in. Unframed. (B07461)