I just finished looking at a batch of Hall of Fame knits, seven jerseys to be specific…the end result being 3 of the 7 (43%) being deemed as being problematic or Unable to Authenticate. In 2008, collectors started expressing an interest that I look at their knit jerseys in addition to their flannels. One of the things this prompted me to do was focus more of my exemplar reference purchases on materials from the 1970s through early 1990s. Looking at catalogs or on-line images is always a useful point of departure, but I remain convinced that the ability to leverage period yearbooks/print and film sources and on hand period exemplars remains the benchmark for responsible work in this field.
As I begin to cover knits in the same way I have covered flannels over the past few years, my goals are two fold:
1. Educate the collecting public on things to look for and processes to employ that will enable them to make more informed purchase decisions.
2. Increase the value of legitimate early knits by helping to establish what the true market population is.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at these Naughty Knits…
SUBJECT: Evaluator Notes for the 1978 Rod Carew Minnesota Twins Home Jersey; MEARS CERT # 311241.
The following noted observations are made in addition to the information recorded on the MEARS Worksheet for this jersey:
Front Alpha/Numeric Fonts: As can be seen in PLATE I and PLATE II, this font/cut of the lettering on this offered jersey is one variation that can be found in period Twins products. This is seen in how the cursive letter “s” in Twins is finished. The offered jersey features a flat crown at the upper portion of the letter “s” as opposed to what appears in some period images as well as on an hand common example. This is not an automatic qualifier/disqualifier, but is noted to show how this aspect of the jersey was evaluated. The numeric font and spatial alignment appear of the numeral “28” appears consistent with the image of Rod Carew as seen in PLATE I.
Rear Alpha/Numeric Fonts: As can be seen in PLATE III, the general elongated lettering font style (non-plated) appears consistent with period images as does the numeric font style general spatial alignment.
Size/Tagging: This area was found to be problematic and inconsistent. The c 1974-1978 Wilson manufactures’ tag has been re-sewn to this jersey. This can be seen in PLATE IV in both the presence of open seam holes on the body of the jersey as well as open seam holes on the tag itself. While it is always possible that the tag was removed for any number of legitimate reasons (player comfort preference) and a tag re-sewn for aesthetics/ inventory control/reissuance-continued wear at a later date, this becomes problematic for two reasons:
1. Rod Carew did not play for the Minnesota Twins after the 1978 season. Rod Carew was traded to the California Angels on 4 February, 1979.
2. The offered jersey is tagged as a size 42 product. The 1978 Street & Smith Baseball Yearbook (page 86) lists Carew at 6”, 186 lbs. While other Carew jerseys in the MEARS data base indicate that a size 42 is an appropriate sized jersey for Carew at this point in his career, this jersey is in fact a size 46 product.
This was confirmed by physically measuring the jersey as well as comparing it to a period size 44 Wilson Minnesota Twins on hand exemplar as can be seen in PLATE V. This jersey, while tagged as a size 42 (tagging has been re-sewn) is physically larger than the tagged size 44 common exemplar offering. Had this been a legitimate Rod Carew home jersey issued in the tagged size of 42 and a correct period tag re-sewn, it would have been expected to be consistent by size and tagging. It is not.
Rod Carew’s later day Angels’ products (1979-1985) appear to have been issued in the size of 42 as well. As such, there does not appear to be any basis for suggesting that a size 46 jersey would have been appropriate for Rod Carew.
Based on the irregularities with the manufactures’ tag (re-sewn), the inconsistencies with the tagged size vs. the actual measured size, and the inconsistencies with those as they relate to the size we should expect to see in a Rod Carew jersey, the final grade for MEARS Cert # 311241 is Unable to Authenticate.
SUBJECT: Evaluator Notes for the 1982 Rickey Henderson Oakland A’s Home Jersey; MEARS CERT # 311239.
The following noted observations are made in addition to the information recorded on the MEARS Worksheet for this jersey:
Alpha/Numeric Fonts. The offered jersey is without any front numeral. This is period correct. The rear of the jersey features the name “HENDERSON” sewn directly to the jersey. This is also period appropriate. The cut of the lettering on the offered jersey is not entirely consistent with what period images from 1982 indicate. (PLATE 1 & PLATE II).
Manufacturers/Supplemental Tagging: The jersey is identified as a Wilson product by the c1974-1985 Wilson tag sewn to the lower left tail of the jersey. This is both team and period appropriate. The manner of applique for the supplemental player identification (32) and the year of issuance (82) is not consistent with other period A’s products or other Wilson products from the same year. As you can see in PLATE III, the 1982’s common player is consistent with other 1982 Wilson products as a manufacturers’ characteristic.
Use/Wear: The A’s tackle twill logo on the left breast show signs of extreme wear both the surface area and to the anchor stitching. This can also be seen to some degree on the rear numerals, most notable on the numeral “5”. As an aggressive base runner, often sliding head first, this might be expected. What should also be expected is that there be comparable surface wear to the fabric of the body of the jersey in these same areas. This wear and signs of soiling to that surface fabric is noticeably absent. With the exception of the mentioned wear and tear to the crest and numbering and some fraying to the green soutache along the button/collar line, the jersey shows very little use. As such, this use and wear is inconsistent and very likely contrived. (PLATE IV) As such, with the aforementioned inconsistencies in font, supplemental tagging and what appears to be contrived use/wear, the Final Grade for Cert # 311239 is Unable to Authenticate.
SUBJECT: Evaluator Notes for the 1979 Dave Winfield San Diego Padres Home Jersey; MEARS CERT # 311242.
The following noted observations are made in addition to the information recorded on the MEARS Worksheet for this jersey:
Front Alpha/Numeric Fonts: As can be seen in PLATE I and PLATE II, the font/cut of the lettering/numerals on this offered jersey is not consistent with period examples or photographs. This can be confirmed by looking at Padres Yearbooks from the period of 1979 through the early 1980s (on hand) with a focus on the cut of the letter “r” in PADRES. Those images portray a more rounded letter as opposed to this one which is presents a very sharp, clean, angular appearance.
Supplemental Player/Year Identification: This area was found to be problematic as can be seen in PLATE III, the manner and style in which “31 79” has been embroidered on a swatch that has been sewn to outside left front of the tail is not consistent with either period Wilson or Padres products. Not only does the manner of embroidery not appear in the same flowing design, but when viewed under a digital microscope, the thread/stitching pattern also appears to be inconsistent with period on hand Padres home and road products as well as period Wilson products for other teams from 1979.
Size/Tagging: This area was found to be problematic and inconsistent. The offered jersey features a c 1979-1985 Wilson manufacturers’ tag sewn in the collar. This tag annotates that this jersey is a size 44. This offered jersey was compared to both Padres and non-Padres period Wilson uniforms tagged as a size 44. The offered jersey’s tagged size clearly does not match the measured size and the jersey actually appears to be a size 46 offering as seen in PLATE IV.
Use/Wear: The offered jersey appears to show no significant signs of use or wear.
Based on the irregularities with the front alpha/numeric fonts, the inconsistencies with the supplemental player/year identification and the sizing/tagging inconsistency, the final grade for MEARS Cert # 311242 is Unable to Authenticate.
As always, enjoy what you collect and collect what you enjoy.
MEARS Auth, LLC
For questions or comments on this article, please feel free to drop me a line at DaveGrob1@aol.com