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Description

The first Tigers jersey to bear the city name on the chest!

1930 Charlie Gehringer Game Worn Detroit Tigers Jersey, MEARS A10. It was a the ultimate transitional season for the wardrobe of the Motor City felines, the first year that the word "Detroit" ever appeared on a Tigers jersey, and the last lacking a jersey number on obverse. This particular specimen belonged to one of the team's greatest figures, a Michigan native whose nineteen seasons of service to that franchise produced three pennants (1934, 1935, 1940) a World Championship (1935) and the American League MVP and batting title (1937). Gehringer played every inning of the first six All-Star Games as the Junior Circuit's premier second baseman. He'd be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949.

The heavy gray flannel used to construct the body of the subject jersey is typical of the prewar game and must have been pure misery in the dog days of summer, with sleeves cut at elbow length as per the fashion of the day. Black felt spells "Detroit" in script that rises as it crosses the chest, and again we'll point out that this is the first appearance of the city's name upon a Tigers jersey. The absence of a number on back, which would debut in Detroit in 1931, allows for a single-season attribution.

Interior collar holds embroidered canvas swatch with red "Gehringer" below a partial manufacturer's tag that was clearly applied after the name identifier, as it's just an illegible portion thereof. There are no size markings, nor should there be, but the garment measures to about a "42" or "44," which is correct for Gehringer's build. Condition is spectacular, demonstrating obvious game wear but none of the moth damage or unsightly staining common to uniforms of this advanced vintage. A small rust stain at rear right shoulder, perhaps a half-inch (1/2") in diameter is reported only to demonstrate how remarkably fine the jersey is, as this is the most evident fault. The jersey is 100% original and unaltered, earning every point of its unimprovable MEARS assessment.

Gehringer would bat a scalding .330 the year he sported this jersey at Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, with 201 hits, seventy-eight for extra bases, along with nineteen base thefts. He'd lead all American League second basemen with a .979 fielding average and finish fourth in MVP balloting. LOA from MEARS, A10. LOA from Heritage Auctions.


Auction Info

Auction Dates
February, 2025
22nd-23rd Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 41
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 711

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Feb 23, 2025 for: $94,550.00
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