This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/2/2012
MEARS Auctions is proud to offer this 1956 Hank Aaron Braves Road jersey in our current auction. Hank Aaron tomahawk jerseys are non extant, and this lot offers a very rare opportunity to obtain one of the most popular jersey styles of all time.
Size: The jersey is tagged as and measures as a size 42. This was confirmed both through measurement
across the chest and comparing it with period on hand Wilson products in sizes 42 and 44. The size
42 product was a 1956 Milwaukee Braves home jersey also manufactured by Wilson. The size is also
appropriate when seen against period sizing data for Hank Aaron. As such, I consider this to be an
appropriate sized jersey for Aaron in 1956. (PLATE I)
Manufacturers Tagging: The jersey features a c1953-1957 Wilson manufacturers tag. The supplemental
tagging for laundry instructions are also consistent for a Wilson product of this vintage. Supplemental tagging is found in the left front tail for player identification and year chain stitched on a wool blend felt swatch. All of this is considered to be period, team, and manufacturer appropriate when compared to exemplar period Milwaukee Braves jerseys manufactured by Wilson. (PLATE II-III)
Construction/Style: The jersey is constructed of a professional grade wool blend fabric (75% wool/
25% nylon) that is consistent by weave with on-hand period professional grade Wilson major league
uniforms. Sleeve style is Raglan as opposed to Set In. The sleeves are cut to a length of 3” (above bicep cut) and this is consistent with what period images portray. All lettering and numbering is consistent with respect to font style, size, and placement when compared to period images. The underarm gussets are constructed of a cotton elastic knit material and this too is appropriate by team, period and manufacturer as well. (PLATES III-IV)
Use/Wear: The jersey shows signs of heavy use and wear. This is best seen in the general surface wear to the body of the garment as well as the affixed lettering, numbering and tomahawk crest. The jersey features a zipper front, but this is a modern replacement (CC Brand and not Talon). The wide 3/8” flat soutache that adorns the collar, placket and sleeve ends remains vibrant in color, firmly affixed, and free of any appreciable fraying. The Screaming Brave patch on the left shoulder is a period original offering; but this style of patch was not worn in 1956. The body of the garment has thinned in places, resulting in small holes, most notable on the back of the jersey. One thing stood out to me with respect to use and wear was the difference to the color fade between the numerals (front & back) as compared to the lettering and the crest. The numbers are far less faded than the numerals and crest. When the uniform was examined outside in soft natural light, this becomes far more apparent. In addition, you will also see that the thread used to affix the numerals is an almost green color. There is also a striking difference to the surface fabric wear of the front numerals as opposed to the lettering and the crest. However, you use and wear to the numerals (front & back) is commensurate with each other. This leads me to conclude that the numbers have not been on the garment for the same amount of time as the lettering and crest, as such I believe the numbers, front and back have been replaced. This is also consistent with the condition of the rest of the jersey (well-worn fabric body, replaced zipper, replaced patch, and comparative condition of lettering and crest. All of this was assessed in comparison to an on hand 1956 Milwaukee Braves home uniform of Bob Buhl. Other exemplars that were considered in this assessment were a 1957 Eddie Mathews home jersey and a 1957 Ray Crone Milwaukee Braves road jersey.
Although the fabric of the garment has gathered behind the numbers as seen from the inside, it
must be noted that this is not a definitive sign that those areas are all original. I know this to be a fact because I have had jerseys restored (numbers and patches) and when they were returned, the fabric was gathered behind the restored portions of the jersey.
Opinion: In my opinion this jersey possesses all the characteristics you would expect to see in jersey manufactured in 1956 by Wilson for use and wear by Hank Aaron. I do not believe the numbers are original to the garment for the reasons mentioned above and that those numbers (front & back). I also do not believe the patch (while a period correct original) is in fact original to the garment.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted,
I found these reasons to deduct points:
Category 1: -.5 Patch replacement
Category 2: -1 Replaced zipper
Category 3: -3 for number restorations (front and back)
Category 5: -.5 for fabric wear and holes
As such, the final grade for this jersey bearing hologram #312624 is A5
Dave Grob
MEARS