Auction Item Details
Lot 78
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Lot Number: 78
Description: Scarce Sammy Baugh Washington Redskins professional model jersey c.1940s. Sammy Baugh arrived on the pro football scene in 1937 after the Washington Redskins made the Texas Christian star their first round pick. In the era of Baugh's debut, pro football was largely a grind-it-out ground game. Over the course of Baugh's 16-year career, he was a catalyst in the evolution of the forward pass. Possessing unparalleled accuracy, Baugh won a record-setting six NFL passing titles and earned first-team All-NFL honors seven times in his career. One of his best single performances came on "Sammy Baugh Day" in 1947 when he passed for 355 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Chicago Cardinals, that season's eventual champions. Based on an accompanying letter of provenance, the offered jersey was literally torn off of Baugh's back while playing for the Redskins in a game against the Boston Yanks, in either 1947 or 1948. After the game, the jersey was discarded by Baugh and subsequently picked out of a jersey receptacle in the Skins' locker room by Don Williams, who worked in the Redskins' front office. Mr. Williams was a good friend of our consignorÆs father, and a frequent patron at his restaurant in Washington. Knowing what great Redskins fans our consignor (as a young boy) and his father were, Mr. Williams presented the jersey as a gift to our consignor shortly after retrieving it. The jersey has been a cherished heirloom ever since. In the early 1970's our consignor had the jersey mounted and framed along with an autographed card he obtained from Baugh through the mail. The maroon Redskins jersey has suffered from areas of significant fading on the front side that was exposed in the frame, including the sides of the sleeves that were folded down in front and exposed. A small square area that was covered by the signed card as well as the area of the front covered by the sleeves has retained its original color. BaughÆs original number ô33ö is stitched on the front and back. The jersey was torn during game action from the left side of the collar to approx. eight inches down the side seam. An area of fabric measuring approximately 4x12 appears to have been torn away from the right shoulder. Both tears have been left intact to preserve the originality of the shirt but could be restored if so desired. The crotch flap has been cut off from the back of the jersey, which appears to be a period alteration. In spite of the obvious condition defects, the jersey retains an aura of great historical importance. Early football jerseys of this magnitude from this era are rarely seen in the marketplace. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the 17-member charter class of 1963, Sammy Baugh is universally heralded as one the greatest players who ever took to the gridiron. It is safe to say that outside of a major institution there are few football jerseys of this caliber in existence. Includes letter of provenance from the consignor, and LOAs from Hunt Auctions (jersey) and JSA (auto. card): GD-VGEstimated Price Range: ($20,000-$30,000)
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