Circa 1952-1955 Joe Black Brooklyn Dodgers Game-Used Warm-Up Jacket

• Sold For: $8,364
• Year: 1952
• Auction: 2022 August
• Lot #: 3
• Auction Category: Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

For starters, let"s note that an identical 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers warm-up jacket belonging to Roy Campanella sold at auction for over $70,000 in 2014. Offered here is teammate Joe Black"s jacket, which can be pinpointed to his 1952-55 tenure in Brooklyn. That span included Black"s NL Rookie of the Year campaign, when he posted a 15-4 record with 15 saves, a 2.15 ERA and a league-leading 41 games finished—not to mention a Game 1 win in the "52 World Series. The zipper-up, size-46 jacket distinctively features the prominent numerals of "49" on its left forearm. There are also two front pockets, blue-and-white-striped trim, "Dodgers" across the chest, and manufacturing labels for Skinner (tackle-twill shell), Milium (aluminum-infused insulated lining) and Earl-Glo (rayon lining). As authenticator Phil Wood explains, "Neither Skinner, Milium or Earl-Glo were known to manufacture athletic apparel, so the actual manufacturer of the jacket is somewhat a mystery. The Dodgers of the described time period were known to wear uniforms by Spalding, Rawlings, McAuliffe, Wilson and MacGregor, so it"s entirely possible that this style of jacket came from one of those suppliers." Wood"s analysis concludes, "There are a few other examples of this particular vintage Dodgers jacket in the hobby, including a Roy Campanella-issued version, and they all match up, with the same labeling and lettering. Joe Black was the lone Dodger to wear #49 between 1950 and his trade to the Reds in 1955. It"s likely the Dodgers did not issue new jackets every season. In my expert opinion, this is exactly what it appears to be: a genuine game-worn Brooklyn Dodgers warm-up jacket worn by pitcher Joe Black." EX condition overall. Accompanied by a Joe Black stadium pin.