Help With Indians Jersey
 

Just wanted to see if anybody might be able to offer any info on the piece. Jersey and Pants both made for a child. The tag is what I've attempted to do most research on and came up with very little. Wasn't sure if anbody might be able to help with more information or if you've seen any of these from the same distributor before. Thanks in advance for any help that might be passed my way.

http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=8295
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=8296
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=8297
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=8298

Not Indians but I have had a few Empire -made jerseys including a NY Knights (The Natural) and a Montreal Royals. I believe they were making high end replicas in the '60s and up and perhaps even earlier?

I had something similar to that for the A's circa 1969. Yours looks a little older vintage though.

It could easily (and likely) be from the late 1940s. This style of Chief Wahoo on the sleeve (with the tan skin and bigger nose) was abandoned after the 1950 season, at which time the Indians opted for the red faced mascot with the rounder head.

Neat item!

All great information. Thanks so much everybody for taking the time to reply. Was excited to pick up the item, and even more exciting to learn more about it.

Thanks again.

I had a Houston Colt 45's child's uniform in the same style and quality.

Hey Dan,

How did you come about acquiring it if you dont mind me asking? Do you have any info about your particular Colt's piece? Obviously, we're not talking Official Club Bat Boy material, but I'm just trying to grasp a little backstory on the production of these child pieces. Was it nothing more than a reproduction of team jerseys for the sake of young boys dressing up like their heroes? Or is there more to these uniforms?

Thanks for your input Dan.

I've owned a couple of these "replica" jerseys over the years. I had one of the Dodgers, Giants and Mets. Empire made jerseys for semi-pro and little league teams since at least the 50's I believe. Cosby Sporting Goods in Madison Square Garden still used to sell these when I was in high school in the mid-80's, I remember N.Y. Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Phillies and Braves very clearly. They were close to the original design but a little cruder, thicker piping, chunkier script... not like the modern Ebbets Field Flannels which are very professional looking. I can remember these Empire replicas being sold in magazine ads as well circa 1982 and my little league team used old Empire flannel jerseys too. Around 1992 I contacted Empire Sporting Goods to see if they still made custom jersey's but they didn't seem very interested and I got the impression they were slowly going out of business.

Hope that helps a bit...

Gary,

A world of help that was. Thanks so much for taking the time to shed some light.

Good call on the mentioning of the script. That was one of the details I was getting hung up on. The 48 club probably had the closest uniforms to the one I've shown:

http://www.thedeadballera.com/TeamPh...948Indians.jpg

But the chest text was did in red with blue piping as opposed to the flat/simple Navy Text on the uniform I picked up.

Tell me this and I'll wrap up this post. Is it safe to say that this one was done before 1951 because of the logo on the sleeve? Or do you think theres a chance they could have produced the jersey later and just added the older logo? Trying to get a decent idea on the year of the piece.

Thanks again Gary.

That's all I have... as far as when it was made, I have no clue. I suppose it could be from before 1951 and made as a stadium replica sold at the park, but I just don't know. I've seen period photos of souvenir stands at Ebbets Field and they didn't sell these type of things because they were probably high-dollar items that no one had money for that kind of stuff back then like we do now. I do know that I've seen these passed off in auctions as vintage souvenirs ( a Phillies jersey comes to mind) but I just don't know. All I can add is that Empire was around for years so your guess is as good as mine! Could be a real souvenir or it's a 1950's semi-pro jersey or one of the 1980's collectibles. There's no circle "R" on the tag so I would guess it could be pre-1960's. It's still an nice display item.

You're a gem Gary. Thanks a ton for all your input.

I bought it thinking it was a bat boy uniform...the quality really is that good on those old Empire uniforms...I don't know any back story on it unfortunately.