This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/4/2014
Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish and forward Kevin McHale. Bird was a 12-time NBA All-Star and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times. He played his entire professional career for Boston, winning three NBA championships and two NBA Finals MVP awards.
There is no doubt that Larry Bird was one of the most influential players in modern times. If the NBA logo was ever re-designed, Larry Bird’s classic fade away shot would be the perfect replacement silhouette.
For game used collectors, there are numerous Larry Bird jerseys on the market. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first and ONLY 1979-80 circa Larry Bird jersey to enter the market. Michael Jordan rookie examples have sold for $75,000-$120,000, with multiple examples in the hobby. This is an unique opportunity to own the only known example.
Style: Jersey is issued as a home, white pullover style. The body shell is knit fabric. The arm opening and neck line are trimmed in green-white-green elastic trim. The team name “CELTICS” is sewn on the front in single green tackle twill. “33” appears on the front and reverse in green tackle twill. The tail is straight cut. The style has been verified as correct by several period photos.
Tagging Date (1979-1982): Examination of the tagging and comparison to other known period Medalist tagging allows us to define the date range that this tagging combo was utilized.
Upper Tag
“Designed & Tailored, Exclusively for the, BOSTON CELTICS, NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION, MEDALIST SAND KNIT®”
Lower Tag
“MEDALIST, Sand-Knit®, 42, BERLIN, WI. USA”,
First, MEARS examined the lower tag,
“MEDALIST, Sand-Knit®, 42, BERLIN, WI. USA”
Per the MEARS NBA tagging database, this version of the MEDALIST tag was first introduced in 1979. The previous version at the phrase “Medalist Sand Knit” placed at the bottom of the tag underneath several lines of washing instructions. This was verified by examining numerous examples of NBA, MLB, and NFL jerseys. The dating pattern was consistent when examined as a cross reference through the 3 major professional sports leagues.
In 1984, MEDALIST was no longer solid block, but an outline of the word. Thus, we can conclusively date the lower tag to 1979-83. Examples to support this include:
1980-82 Nate Archibald
1980-82 Van Heuman
1979 Robiskie (Raiders)
1979 Levi Wyatt Hawks (Pre-Season)
1979-82 Eric Fernstein (Celtics)
Therefore, the style of tag has been verified as being used by Sand Knit from 1979-82.
Secondly, MEARS examined the upper tag,
“Designed & Tailored
Exclusively for the
BOSTON CELTICS
NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
MEDALIST SAND KNIT®”
This style of tag was found in the MEARS database associated with the following uniforms:
1980-82 Nate Archibald
1983 Dennis Johnson
1979-82 Eric Fernstein
Finally, both tags (upper tag, lower tag), have been found in combination on the following jerseys:
1979-82 Eric Fernstein
1979 Robiskie (Raiders)
1983 Dennis Johnson
1980-82 Nate Archibald
Therefore, the combination of both Medalist tags have been verified as being supplied to professional sports teams, including the NBA, during the 1979-82 era. For the players Robiskie (Raiders, 1979), and Levi Wyatt (Hawks, 1979), those were single season players, thus making the dating exclusive to one single year.
With respect to Larry Bird, this tagging cannot pre-date his rookie season, as prior to 1979, Sand Knit Medalist incorporated a different tag design altogether.
Size (42): The size is very critical in the dating of this jersey. For the 1977-1979/80 timespan, Larry Bird was documented as wearing size 42 jerseys. Examples that have entered the hobby include:
1977 Indiana State (size 42)
1979 Indiana State (size 42)
Further Bird Celtics jerseys that have entered the hobby are:
1980 Bird (size 44)
1980-81 (size 44) Paragon, provenance
1982 Bird (size 44)
1980s Bird (size 44)
1982 Bird All Star (size 44)
There are no size 42 Celtic jerseys that have entered the hobby before the discovery of this example.
Based on the size (42) and the dating of the tag (1979-82), we confidently intersect the two data points at 1979-80, thus establishing rookie era dating.
The size 44 jerseys were found with the 1980-83 tagging also. Thus, illustrating that he increased his jersey size as early as the 1980-81 season.
Game wear: Jersey exhibits moderate game wear. The body shell fabric shows compression to the fabric from game wear and washings. There is some puckering to the tagging.
Accompanying this jersey is a pair of 1979 dated trunks. “33” appears in the waistband, but is believed to be the inventory code, although the coincidence is pretty great.
Provenance: This jersey recently surface in the Boston area and was a gift from team officials for services provided.
Final Grade (MEARS A10): 10 base points were awarded for the jersey matching style, font, lettering, tagging, size, etc. There were no reasons for a point deduction, thus the perfect MEARS A10 grade.
Given this information and these observations, it is my opinion that this jersey is a Larry Bird Game Worn Rookie Jersey and one of the most historic and significant NBA jerseys ever offered. LOA Troy R. Kinunen/ MEARS