This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/26/2012
Extremely colorful and vibrant Chicago Cubs road jersey which has long been a favorite of Cubs fans and style collectors. The absence of any number on the front means that even a common player jersey can display well right alongside your period Wrigley memorabilia and mementos of Sandburg, Grace, and Dawson. Walker’s jersey has had the name removed from the back and this is not atypical for Cubs jerseys of this vintage. What is unusual and bodes well for this jersey is that the outline of WALKER is clean and clear meaning no other name or name plate was ever applied over it. Solid example at an A7.5
Subject: 1985 Chico Walker Chicago Cubs Road Jersey
Size: Tagged as size 40 and this is the true size of the jersey. This was confirmed by both physical measurement and comparing the jersey on hand with period Wilson products in sizes 40, 42, and 44 (one of which was a 1985 Chicago Cubs Road jersey supplied by Wilson.
Walker does not appear in the 1985 Street and Smith Yearbook as either a Chicago Cub or Boston Red Sox player. He was granted free agent status by the Red Sox on 15 October 1984. The 1984 Street & Smith Yearbook lists him at 5’,9”; 179lbs. This is the same reported height and weight for him in 1986. As such I would consider this be an appropriate sized jersey for Walker at this point in his career.
Manufacturer: The jersey is identified as a Wilson product by the manufacturer's label (c 1978-1985) in rear of the collar area. Wilson is a known supplier of jerseys to the Chicago Cubs and this relationship extends back into the early 1950s in an exclusive manner.
Construction: The jersey is constructed of a knit fabric in a pullover fashion with Raglan sleeves. This jersey compares very favorably in all facets with a 1985 Chicago Cubs road jersey in my on hand exemplar library.
Use/Wear/Condition: The jersey exhibits signs of moderate use and wear and this is consistent and even throughout. The rear numeral “3” does show some signs of minor staining/fabric bleed across the top of the numeral’ at its widest point, this arched staining/soiling does not exceed 6mm. The name has been removed from the back of this jersey, but the outline of WALKER can still be seen and there are no signs that any other name or nameplate was ever applied to the jersey. As such, all use and wear can be attributed to Walker.
Opinion: In my opinion this jersey possesses all of the characteristics you would expect to see in uniform manufactured in 1985 by Wilson for use and wear by Chico Walker. The jersey is all original with the exception of the removed name from the back.
The MEARS worksheet and grading criteria provides for 5 categories for which points may deducted. I found this reason to deduct points:
Category 3: -2 Name on back removed
Category 5: -.5 minor staining to rear numeral “3”
Final Grade for jersey bearing hologram # 311819 is A7.5. Collection of MEARS Staff.
LOA Dave Grob / MEARS Auctions