Tough original style Chicago White Sox road knit. When these show up, and it’s not very often, they typically feature team number changes or problems with broken or replaced zippers. You’ll get none of that with his jersey as it is all original, autographed by Henderson and coming in at A9.5. A show for your collection that Bill Veeck would be proud of.
Subject: 1974 Ken Henderson Chicago White Sox Road Jersey
Size: Tagged as size 42 and this is the true size of the jersey. This was confirmed by both physical measurement and comparing the jersey on hand period Wilson products in sizes 42 and 44 (one of which was a 1974 Chicago White Sox home jersey supplied by Wilson in a size 44).
As a point of reference, period sizing data for Henderson from the 1973-1975 Street and Smith yearbooks list Henderson as ranging from 6’,2” 180lbs to 6’,3” 190lbs. As such I would consider this jersey to be an appropriate sized one for Henderson at this point in his career.
Manufacturer: The jersey is identified as a Wilson product by the manufacturer's label (c 1974-1978) in the outer lower left front tail of the jersey. Wilson is a confirmed supplier of both home and road uniforms for the White Sox at this period of time and would remain so until 1976 when they adopted the softball style of uniforms.
Construction: The jersey is constructed of a knit fabric and is very similar in style and construction to the White Sox road flannels also manufactured by Wilson. Notable exceptions are that this jersey has Raglan sleeves which are period/manufacturer/team appropriate for the knits as confirmed by period images. The white over red soutache around the collar and arm endings is also period correct in that is wider and made of a somewhat more elastic knit fabric as opposed to that found on the flannels in this style. This too is appropriate and something that can be confirmed through both imagery analysis and comparison with on hand exemplars. The zipper front (Talon brand zipper) is also appropriate. The jersey features red over white twill numbering on the left sleeve and the back. No player name appears on the back of the jersey and this too is appropriate.
Use/Wear/Condition: The jersey exhibits signs of moderate to heavy use and wear. This can be seen in soiling to the rear inner collar lining (best seen under UV lighting), as well as the gathering of the twill fabric for the lettering and numbering. The zipper remains fully functional, but there is some breakage to the anchor stitching affixing the zipper to placket area along the front. This does not affect the structural integrity of the jersey in any manner, but it does affect the display of the jersey in an extremely minor way. There is also minor fraying/fabric wear to the white twill fabric and anchor stitching where the fabrics meet the zipper line. Only minor thread pulls can be found in and around the soutache braid. The right shoulder shows some small areas of spot staining. All use and wear is even and consistent and presents no signs of contrived use or wear. The jersey is assessed as being all original with the exception of a black sharpie autograph of “Ken Henderson” on the upper left from chest area.
Opinion: In my opinion this jersey possesses all of the characteristics you would expect to see in uniform manufactured in 1974 by Wilson for use and wear by Ken Henderson. The jersey is all original and free of any alterations.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted. I found this reason to deduct points:
Category 5: -.5 Broken anchor stitching along zipper line and the area where the lettering meets it at the zipper line.
Final Grade for jersey bearing hologram # 311820 is A9.5.
Dave Grob
MEARS
PLATES I-II
MEARS LOA/Troy R. Kinunen
j0522
(MEARS LOA)