Consigned to the MEARS November auction directly from the Grand Prize winner of the Channel 39 PBS TV Station, Easton, PA contest. The consignor states that the Steve Carlton game worn glove and accompanying team signed baseball have been proudly displayed and in the families possession since the winning of the contest. The glove and team signed ball have never been publicly offered for sale before this MEARS Auction Event.
Fitting on the right hand, this Rawlings Fastback, Heart of the Hide, Deep Well Pocket glove has been confirmed by the staff of Rawlings as been personally designed and ordered by Steve Carlton during the 1984 season. On the right outer thumb are the markings,
"EDGE-U-CATED-HEEL, US.PAT.NO.2.995.757, .... (four dots) under patent stamp.
According to our Rawlings source, the four dots correspond with the year, 1984.
The glove exhibits moderate to heavy game wear. Steve Carlton appeared in 33 games during the 1984 season, and use is consistent with that time span. Carlton's uniform number 32 appears under the pocket to the left of the Rawlings patch, and again appears above the Rawlings patch on the outer pinky finger. A period "Steve Carlton" autograph appears on the inner pinky.
Comparisons to Getty Image and Corbis (no exact photo match found) verify this model of glove, pocket, wrist strap, and Rawlings supplier from a comparable era, 1982-86.
With provenance, game wear, and factory verification, this 1984 Steve Carlton game worn glove is a must have for any collector. Additionally, a 1982 Official National League baseball signed by the team accompanies this lot.