This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/2/2014
Size: The tagged size of the jersey is a size 46 and this is the true size of the garment. This was compared with period on hand MacGregor-Goldsmith products in sizes 42, 44, and 46 (Reds, White Sox, and Giants). George Dickey is listed at 6’,2”, 180lbs and as such I would consider this to be an appropriate sized jersey for him. Accompanying the jersey is a pair of pants (player name swatch missing) in size 34. I would assess these pants as being equally appropriate in size.
Dating the Jersey: The jersey is without any sort of annotated year identification. My evaluation revealed no signs or trace evidence that one was ever present. The style of the jersey (narrow soutache, smaller SOX logo, and Stars & Stripes patch places it to 1946-1947. While the Stars & Stripes patch is typically associated with the years 1943-1945, the patch was worn by the White Sox through the 1947 season. The Detroit Tigers also wore this patch through 1946 and the Washington Nationals continued to wear it into the 1947 season. 1946-1947 are also the same two seasons that Dickey wore #19 for the Chicago White Sox:
The 1946 Chicago White Sox #19
-Johnny Johnson
-George Dickey
Johnny Johnson was on roster for the White Sox at the start of the 1946 season. Johnson went on the disabled list on 16 April 1946 and stayed on it until August 13th 1946 and did not rejoin the club. George Dickey did open the season with the White Sox and appeared in games as early as 16 April of 1946 and as late as 18 August 1946. For the 1947 season, Dickey started with the White Sox and his first appearance was on 16 April of 1947 and his last was on 27 September of that year.
Since the jersey shows no signs of a year tag ever being affixed to the jersey (I do have a 1946 Chicago White Sox MacGregor-Goldsmith road uniform that is year tagged), it is possible that the lack of year tag is indicative of a later ordered uniform in 1946 since Johnny Johnson was originally assigned #19. Had Dickey simply been outfitted with Johnny Johnson's originally issued #19 (6’, 182lbs), we would not expect to find Dickey’s last name in the rear of the collar. Since it is possible that Dickey may have been outfitted with Johnson’s original #19 uniform, the name in the rear of the collar may be more indicative of a uniform ordered for him in spring training of 1947 for the 1947 season. With the commonality of style (logo size, narrow soutahce, and Stars & Stripes patch), both 1946 and 1947 have to be considered as viable possibilities. It appears that the smaller logo from 1946 may have been sewn closer the center of the garment and over portions of the soutache, whereas the 1947 appears to have had this logo sewn more centered on the left breast. As such, I would offer that the jersey is more likely a 1947 product than one from 1946. In any event, dating is identified as c1947. (PLATES I-II)
Use and Wear: The jersey is assessed as being in all original condition and features an original and fully functional Talon brand zipper. The body of the jersey is mildly toned throughout. Mild spot staining and soiling is present throughout, but this is best seen under UV lighting. The underam gussets are made of an elastic cotton blend knit fabric that are completely intact and fully pliable. The narrow soutache along the placket and sleeve ends is complete and unbroken/un-frayed throughout. Surface and interior wear to the wool blend athletic felt used for the lettering and numbering is even and consistent with only minor fabric pulls; same can be said for the anchor stitching. The jersey features an original period Stars & Stripes patch and this too is assessed as being original to the garment. The pants that accompany the jersey feature commensurate use and wear with the exception of small tear on the left pocket (partially masked by the pocket flap). Also of note is the pants appear a little more soiled/stained, but not the point where it would be overly distracting where they displayed together say on a mannequin.
Opinion: In my opinion this jersey possesses all the characteristics you would expect to see in a uniform supplied by MacGregor-Goldsmtih c1947 for home use and wear by George Dickey. It is assessed as being all original, without any apparent signs of alteration or contrived use and wear. At the time of my evaluation, there was no writing or autograph on the jersey.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted, I found these reasons to deduct points:
Category V: -1 for toning/soiling/staining.
No points are deducted for the lack of a year tag as the garment shows no signs or trace evidence one was ever present. Points should not be deducted for something that cannot be objectively shown to have ever been present. No points were deducted for the missing player name in the pants (outline present) since numeric grades are not assigned to pants.
As such, the final grade for this jersey bearing hologram #313396 is A9.
Dave Grob
MEARS
PLATES I-II (60N0157)