The game of baseball and how we tend to describe it and the stars of the game is full hyperbole. Over time the great players seem to only get greater. There is nothing wrong with embracing this on some level, but the facts in this case are indisputable. Between 1977 and 1981 Reggie Jackson became the face of the New York Yankees and the Yankees became Reggie Jackson like…strong, powerful winners. He was instrumental in rekindling the magic and memories of Yankees - Dodgers in the Fall Classic. This jersey comes from that final season. The grade is strong (A9.5), the visual presentation is powerful and we hope you are the winner. This jersey needs to be the face of your collection.
SUBJECT: 1981 Reggie Jackson New York Yankees Home Jersey
For the purpose of evaluation and description, this jersey is referred to as a 1981 Reggie Jackson New York Yankees Home jersey. After a detailed visual inspection and evaluation of this jersey using lighted magnification, a light table, a digital microscope, UV light and various references, I offer the following noted observations:
Size: This offered jersey is tagged as a size 46 and this is the actual measured size of the jersey. The 1981 Street & Smith Yearbook list Reggie Jackson at: 6’, 206 lbs
By way of comparison, this jersey is the same size as another of his 1981 Yankees home jersey (Size 46) in the MEARS database. That jersey was tagged as being “set 2” while this jersey is tagged as “set 1”. I make this distinction to ensure that no exemplar is double counted or compared to itself.
As such, I consider this to be an appropriately sized jersey for Reggie Jackson in 1981.
Manufacturer/Construction/Dating the Jersey: The jersey is manufactured by Wilson as evidence by the manufacturers tag in the lower left front tail. The style of manufacturers tag is period appropriate (c 1979-1985). The jersey is year dated to 1981 by the annotation and supplemental player identification of “Jackson 81 1”. This is all done in navy blue chain stitch embroidery sewn to a white cotton/nylon swatch that is affixed to the rear of the collar. This swatch is sewn through only the first fold of the collar and there are no signs that this area was opened up at later date to accommodate this. All of this period/team/manufacturer appropriate.
The construction of the jersey is of a button down design and Raglan sleeves. This too is also period appropriate. The left sleeve features a 1 1/8th inch wide black armband. The width of this arm band is approximately the same width as the space between its outer most edge and the end of the sleeve. This placement appears appropriate when compared to period images. This arm band is year appropriate as it was worn in memoriam of former Yankee catcher Elston Howard who died on 14 December 1980. This armband was worn throughout the 1981 season. (PLATE III). Crest and numeric font style and alignment also appear period appropriate. (PLATE I & II)
Use and Wear: The use and wear on this jersey is categorized as moderate. There is even and consistent surface wear to the twill fabric used for the NY crest and numbering. The wear and fade to all stitching is also even and consistent throughout. There is light spot staining/soiling on the front of the jersey. This becomes most visible when the fabric body is viewed under UV lighting. The jersey is free of any alterations or repairs and is considered to be all original.
Provenance/History: At the time of evaluation, there was no provenance. The jersey does feature a 7 ½” inch blue autograph of “Reggie Jackson” on the upper left shoulder. I offer no opinion on the autograph, but only mention its presence of accuracy.
Evaluation Findings: Based on my physical examination of this jersey and supporting data, it is my opinion that this jersey posses all of the characteristics you would expect to find in a 1981 New York Yankees home jersey supplied by Wilson for use and wear by Reggie Jackson during the 1981 season.
For Pre-1987 jerseys, the MEARS grading metric begins at base grade of 10 with five (5) major categories for consideration when looking to codify deductions. I found this reason to deduct points for this offered jersey:
-.5 Category V: Light spot staining/soiling.
As such the final grade for this jersey with MEARS hologram number 311031 is A9.5
Dave Grob
MEARS
Enclosures:
PLATES I-III
NOTE:
LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS