This could very well be the sleeper of this auction as the condition of the jersey is superb for a garment that is closing in on being a half century old. If you have a 1964 Baltimore STAR-SPANGLED BANNER SESQUICENTENNIAL 1814-1964 patch or are willing to look for one, then the future upside is all yours with this stunning A7 Birds offering.
Subject: 1964 Baltimore Orioles Road Jersey
Size: Tagged as and measures as size 42 and this is the true size of the jersey. The size of the jersey was confirmed by comparing it to common player period Spalding products in sizes 42 and 44. In 1964, two players are associated with the #18; those being Frank Bertaina and Wes Stock (Mark Stang Baseball by the Numbers).
The 1964 Street & Smith Yearbook lists Stock as #18 and at 6’,1”, 177lbs. This same publication shows Bertainia associated with #57 and at 5’,11’; 177lbs.
As such, I would consider this jersey to be an appropriate sized jersey for either player.
Manufacturer: The jersey is identified as a Spalding product by the manufacturer's label (c 1957-1970) in the lower left front tail of the jersey. Spalding is a known and confirmed supplier of uniforms to the
Baltimore Orioles. All manufacturers tagging, to include the supplemental laundry instructions are considered team, period and manufacturer appropriate. (PLATE I)
Construction: The jersey is constructed of a professional grade wool blend flannel. This was confirmed by comparing the offered jersey with the fabrics from a period Spalding major league baseball uniform and then conducting comparative analysis of them using a digital microscope. The jersey features Set-In sleeves and this too is period/team/manufacturer appropriate. The zipper front is also appropriate. What should be included on this jersey is the patch worn on the left shoulder commemorating the and reading "STAR-SPANGLED BANNER SESQUICENTENNIAL 1814-1964”. This patch is missing. There is some minor fabric wear to the felt swatch in the collar that denotes year (64), player (18) and size (42), but this does not affect the structural integrity of the area nor the ability to decipher the annotations.
Use/Wear/Condition: The use and wear to the body of the jersey is assessed as moderate to heavy and this is best seen in the surface wear of the fabrics to include body and felt lettering and numbering. The straight stitch applique of the lettering and numbering enables the backside of the felt to be examined. The backing of the felt has toned and cracked in a manner consistent with what I would expect to see in a garment of this vintage. With the exception of the previously mentioned missing patch, the jersey is assessed as being otherwise in all original condition.
Opinion: In my opinion this jersey possesses all the characteristics you would expect to see in jersey manufactured in 1964 by Spalding for use and wear by either Wes Stock or Frank Bertaina.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted. I found these reasons to deduct a points.
Category 2: -1; Missing patch
Category 5: -2; Two player jersey.
Final Grade for jersey bearing hologram # 311773 is A7
Dave Grob
MEARS
PLATE I
(MEARS LOA)