Football game wore treasures from the 1940s and earlier are almost non-existent. Basically, teams wore their jerseys and all equipment until they fell off the player. Jerseys were repaired and recycled year after year until they were ready for the insinuator.
The Chicago Bears have been around the NFL since its beginning. In fact, Papa Bear George Halas was a founding father of the league. It is common knowledge, that Halas saved money every way he could.
Years upon years of use are shown on this button up cape. And we didn't even get into who wore this either. Hall of Fame halfback George McAfee used this cape during those bitter cold Chicago late season games in the 1940s. Most likely, he used this in 1941 when he averaged a gaudy 7.3 yards per carry in a 12 touchdown effort.
The jacket shows decent overall use. Sewn in the collar is a Stu Beresford manufacturer's logo and size "L" flag tag. "5" is painted in orange on the lower right corner for identification purposes. McAfee wore #5 from 1940-41 and 1945-50. Hans Nielsen donned the number for a year.
According to our consignor, this jacket was obtained a few years ago in Florida from a former Bears staffer. They have never been offered for public sale until now. We are not sure if other capes from this time period have ever surfaced. That is until now.
"BEARS" is expressed across the back in single-color orange. This has been restored and added as the Bears took off the original NOB. Because of his Hall of Fame status, George McAfee is regarded as one of the finest Bears to grace the gridiron. Finding game worn relics of him are impossible. We doubt the Bears or NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame has anything linked to the great back as good as this.
f0356
(MEARS Auction LOA)
