This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/9/2009.
Lou Gehrig, nicknamed “The Iron Horse” is chiefly remembered for his prowess as a hitter, the longevity of his consecutive games played record and the pathos of his tearful farewell from baseball at age 36. Gehrig set several Major League records throughout his illustrious career with the NY Yankees, most notably his consecutive games played streak of 2,130 which stood for over fifty years. His record for most career grand slams, 23 still stands. In 1969, Gehrig was voted the greatest first baseman of all time by the Baseball Writers' Association and he was the leading vote-getter on the Major League Baseball All-Century Team, chosen by fans in 1999. Gehrig accumulated 1,995 RBI’s in seventeen seasons with a lifetime batting average of .340, a lifetime on-base percentage of .447, and a lifetime slugging percentage of .632. Three of the top six RBI seasons in baseball history belong to Gehrig. He was selected to each of the first seven All-Star games and he won the American League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1927 and 1936. He was also a Triple Crown winner in 1934, amazingly enough not winning the MVP award. He was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1939 on a unanimous vote. His number “4” was the first number retired by the NY Yankees. Inside the rear collar is the “A.G. Spalding & Bros” manufacturers tag. Directly above is “L. Gehrig” embroidered horizontally in red chain stitch script lettering. Down the front are seven buttons which appear to be original and are fully intact. On back is the player number “4” done in blue felt measuring seven inches high and four and a half inches across. On the back left shoulder is a large horizontal team repair measuring slightly over four inches. Underneath each arm are four small holes for aeration. There is heavy sweat staining on the inner collar along with several small brown stains which appear to be blood. On the back of the flannel to the right of the player number is a small hole measuring one eighth of an inch. This jersey is absolutely magnificent and is 100% original. It shows excellent game-use with a large team repair and sweat staining and appears to have no alterations of any kind. This superb piece of American history has a wonderful chain of provenance. Originally sourced from an older gentleman in upstate New York along with a pair of Art Fletcher pants, it was subsequently sold to Barry Halper. After keeping it in his personal collection for a half dozen or so years, Barry later traded it to a collector who had the shirt forensically tested. All materials were found to be consistent with the era. Grey Flannel then had the honor of brokering the jersey to its current owner. We have exemplars of other Gehrig jerseys that match up to this one in every respect, which are available to anyone who is serious about buying this treasure. This is your chance to own a true piece of history which once belonged to a great New York Yankee and a better man, Henry Louis Gehrig.