This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/29/2012
Extremely rare first year Atlanta Braves home knit jersey which also happens to be a one year offering. At a time when ball clubs were making the transition from flannel to knit, the Braves more than broke tradition with this style, manufacturer as well as fabric. Period newspapers accounts (which are included with this lot) chronicle the headlines of “ Atlanta’s 1972 Uniforms Will Sport a Mod Look” as well as “Atlanta Braves Tops in Fashion.” This jersey features a pull over design with a two button collar and it is this characteristic which helps to set it apart from the 1973 Braves jerseys. Atlanta took center stage for baseball in the summer of 1972 as host to annual All Star Game and this style looked like it was made for the occasion with the striking red, white, and blue color scheme and the bold 6 ¾” original feather patches that adorn each sleeve. The jersey shows signs of moderate to heavy use with the only cosmetic detractors being the missing top button, missing player/year/set swatch in the collar (original outline remains very strong), and some pulls to the red thread use to affix the lettering and numbering (front and back). There is a small section (8mm) on the upper part of the letter “B” where the twill fabric has broken away from the anchor stitching, but otherwise the jersey remains in exceptional condition given its age.
Originally purchased to support the MEARS on-hand exemplar reference library, this uniform is now being made available to the collecting public since we have recently upgraded our exemplar of this style. Whether you are a Braves fan or style collector, our advice to you is when you have occasion to buy any first year knit in above average condition with all original lettering, numbering, and patches, don’t think twice. Once considered an affordable alternative to flannels, these early first year knits are quickly beginning to out-pace their predecessors in terms of value and collectability in the market place. What better way to start off 2012 than with 40 year old, rare first of its kind, artifact from one of the most iconic and colorful periods in baseball history.
MEARS Auction LOA