Auction Item Details
Lot 244
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Lot Number: 244
Description: Rare 1957 Ted Williams Boston Red Sox autographed professional model home jersey (Dr. Bill Bahan Provenance: Ted Williams' Personal Chiropractor). In a playing career that spanned four decades with the Red Sox, and was interrupted by two military tours of duty that cost him nearly five full seasons, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound "Splendid Splinter" amassed an average of .344 with 521 home runs, 1,839 RBI, 2,019 walks, a slugging percentage of .634 that remains second to only Babe Ruth's .690, and an on-base percentage of .483 that is second to no one. This jersey dates from the 1957 season, when Williams, at the age of 38, was still at the peak of his stellar career. That season, the veteran Williams vied for the batting crown in a season long battle with a young Mickey Mantle. In the end, Williams held off the surging Mantle, finishing the season with a .388 average versus Mantle's .365. Additionally, Williams slugged .731, and hit 38 home runs in only 420 official at bats. It was a remarkable season by the greatest hitter of his, or possibly any, generation. The offered jersey dates to Williams' prolific 1957 season. The cream colored flannel shirt remains completely original and unaltered, featuring red piping, original "Red Sox" lettering across the front, and Ted's original number "9" on back. The soutache is of particular notice in that it does not extend down the length of the interior of the placket which is consistent with 1957 dated images of Williams wearing similar or possibly identical jersey. Tim McAuliffe manufacturer's tag appears on the front tail with adjacent flag tag noting "Set 1 1957". A felt strip tag above features Ted's last name "Williams" in red embroidered lettering. The 1957 flag tag does appear to have been previously applied based on seam holes and is mentioned for accuracy only given that the overlapping McAulliffe tagging is original to the shirt. Additionally, within the LOA from Dave Grob/SGC the combination "Williams" and "McAulliffe" tagging is an anomaly to other known Williams jersey exemplars. This is consistent with the estimation that Ted received five sets of home and road jerseys each season to which Grob documents in great detail within the LOA. The jersey presents in all original condition with evident heavy use. In particular, there is some visible fraying to the red piping at the back of the collar area with remainder of the garment remaining very fine with appropriate use/wash wear. Perhaps equally notable to the rarity of the offered Williams jersey is the succinct lineage of provenance which it possesses. Robert Livingston was born in 1946 in the Boston area. As a young boy (around 8 years old) he developed severe bronchial asthma to which his doctors recommended chiropractic treatment to address. There was no licensed chiropractic treatment in MA at that time so he was referred to the leading practice in the region, Bahan Brothers Chiropractic which had two offices in Derry, NH and Salem, NH. Understandably, the young man was nervous about the treatment but shared a love for the Boston Red Sox who memorabilia decorated the doctor's office. In order to calm the young man down Bahan offered a “reward” to him. Upon completion of each year of treatment he would receive a Red Sox surprise. His first reward came in the form of a 1955/56 Red Sox team ball to which Livingston retains to date. Another subsequent reward was taking him to a Red Sox game where he sat in the dugout and met Ted Williams, Tom Yawkey and other team members. Another was a Jackie Jensen game used bat which Livingston used as a boy and no longer remains. Lastly, around late 1958 or early 1959 when Livingston walked into the doctor’s office for his appointment to which he noticed Bahan wearing a Red Sox jersey. Bahan asked him if “he liked his outfit”. Livingston replied yes and noticed upon inspection that it was Ted Williams’ jersey. Bahan then replied, “It will look even better on you.” and proceeded to give the jersey to young Livingston. It was relayed to him by Bahan that it was given directly by Williams to Bahan to be presented to young Livingston. Many years later Livingston was afforded the opportunity to have the jersey signed by Williams at Red Sox spring training to which Ted remarked he "had hated wearing those hot jerseys back then." Additional provenance details available within the online description. Uniquely sourced Williams jersey dating to one of his finest seasons with the Red Sox. Includes LOA from SGC/Grob (GD-VG) and extensive letter of provenance from Bob Livingston: VG-EXEstimated Price Range: ($75,000-$150,000)
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