Uniform question for Dan B....

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Posted By: Mark

... or whoever else might be able to answer.

I recently acquired the following jersey from ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&it em=180337635061


It's a beauty, and is modeled after perhaps my favorite jersey of all-time (1920s Philadelphia Athletics). It appears to be authentic and unaltered, and the Rawlings neck tag is definitely circa 1940s.

My questions is whether this is indeed a 1947 Lincoln Athletics Uniform. A google search did verify the fact that Lincoln was an Athletics minor league affiliate in 1947, and the seller had a decent accounting of how he acqiuired the jersey.

I just cannot find any photo or image of the Lincoln, NE team wearing these "elephant" jerseys. Any info, photos or images you can post would be much appreciated... thanks!

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I've never found a single photo of a Lincoln player wearing that jersey - either home or away, and I looked very hard when this jersey first appeared on ebay last year. A seller in Portland sold two of these jersey's last year and said they came from a longtime Midwest collector. One of the jersey's he sold he said the elephant patch was a reproduction...when he sold the second jersey he never made mention of any reproduction. I had an email conversation with him about having never seen that style of jersey used in Lincoln and he said he was just going by what he bought it as. Well this current jersey is one of those jersey's that was purchased off of ebay last year...the seller told me he got it from the seller in Portland.

As far as my research goes the Athletics usually just handed down old major league jerseys to their minor league clubs....especially to Class D clubs like Lincoln. Connie Mack was very thrifty.. Every photo I've seen of the Lincoln A's (1947-52) have been the generic A's jersey.

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Posted By: Brock G.

Mark,
I would really inspect that jersey close to be sure someone didn't take an old flannel jersey and just stitch this patch on:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1927-PHILADELPHIA-ATHLETICS-ELEPHANT-PATCH-NICE_W0QQitemZ180339074264QQihZ008QQcategoryZ64484 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I was watching that jersey and was a little suspicious.

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Posted By: Mike H

His description states:

THIS SYLE IS A NEARLY EXACT COPY

OF THE 1928 (AND BEFORE) PHILADELPHIA A'S

ROAD UNIFORM.

Is he saying this is a copy or not? Frankly Mark, it's a darn nice jersey that would cost you $350 if Mitchell & Ness were selling it on line, so you did well even if you just wear it (can you fit into a 40?).

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Posted By: Mark

Thanks to all...

I can definitely fit into a size 40 if I suck in my stomach and leave it unbuttoned. Would that look funny?

To Brock's point, I'll inspect the patch very carefully to be sure it's not a replacement or reproduction that has been sewn on.

I bought it mostly for the design, and was also suspicious of it being an actual Lincoln Jersey. Willing to overlook that, provided it is all-original and vintage. Since the buyer states in his description "Unaltered" and "Satisfaction Guaranteed" I am assuming that I can return it if it is not as advertised.

In fact, now that I look at the Elephant patch, it appears really bright and new... probably fake. Since the seller is local, I may inspect it before paying him. Thanks again!

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Posted By: Mark

Yup... you guys were right... a fake patch sewn to an old jersey. A company called Williams & Ward put out some commemorative reproduction patches a few years back. Fortunately, I saved the brochure (see pics). The A's Elephant on the Jersey is identical in every respect to the Cooperstown Reproduction Patch. Just as clean and white, too...

I really wish these modern companies could fight the urge to reproduce every possible aspect of memorabilia from the past (Pennants, Posters, Ad Signs, Uniforms, Caps, Card reprints, and the like). Granted, I should have known better on this one... just don't have the spare time I used to, for the necessary research

Anyway, thanks for your help, Dan, Brock and Mike!

Edited to add that Brock already posted a similar link, which I see now (duh!)

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I posted my concerns about this jersey over on the GU forum last year. When I asked this current seller where he obtained it and learned it was the same one I guess I just shrugged it off. I should have posted something.

You can guarantee yourself if a legitimate Lincoln Athletics jersey shows up with provenance you'll find me in the bidders list. hopefully at the top!