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jkirschI collect a wide variety of sports memorabilia and equipment. Within the past year I have begun to focus on vintage baseball uniforms. I started out a novice but have been researching "clues" and keeping notes of all that I have learned. Items that can help pinpoint an age include:
- Style - Pullover, button down, zipper
- Types of buttons
- Sleeve length
- Type of belt loops on pants
- Collar - Full Collar, Cadet Collar, V Neck
- Type of Material
These are major indicators, but the best way to pinpoint the age is to use these clues along with the Makers Tag. The label is by far the best way to determine age as labels frequently changed every several years by manufacturers. A label can help you pinpoint down to a 5 year period or less with some luck. My research has focused on creating a database (informal right now) of makers labels and date ranges. For example I can tell you that spalding used a specific label on most jerseys from 1936 -1942.
I keep track of Label styles and dates as they frequently changed. Also during the first part of the 20th century sports manufacturers went through many changes due to mergers, takeovers etc. By studying the history of the company you can learn about how they changed and how these chanages in turn impacted the labeling of their tags. For example in 1925 Thos E. Wilson changed their name to Wilson Western Sporting Goods. In 1931 WWSG changed their name to Wilson Sporting Goods. Also in 1931 Wilson acquired Lowe and Campbell and Horace Partridge. Wilson continued to sell jerseys under the L&C and Horade Partidge band, but HP and L&C jerseys prior to 1931 had the "CO." (Company) on the label, after 1931 the Co. was dropped from the labels. This is an example of a big clue.
I recently acquired a Spalding Jersey that I believed to be pre-1910 as it was a full collar three button pullover. The sleeves are long, the material heavy wool flannel and the buttons are made of Mother of Pearl. The label is unique as instead of saying "A.G. Spalding Bros AD 1876" as most Spalding labels from that period do, this label says "A.G. Spalding Bros Makers". Through researching Spalding Labels I determined that Spalding made this label for a very brief period from 1901-1904. Thus I have been able to poinpoint the Jersey to that period.
If you would like to discuss further or want to review any items you have drop me a message at vintagesportscollector@yahoo.com. I would be happy to chat and pass on some of the things I have learned.