Spring 2014 - Item detail
1944 Chuck Dressen Brooklyn Dodgers Game-Used Satin Road Uniform - Rare One-Year Style!
- Sold For:
- $5,629
- Year:
- 1944
- Auction:
- 2014 Spring
- Lot #:
- 1346
- Category:
- Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia
Addendum: Please note that we have been told that these Brooklyn Dodgers blue satin jerseys may have been worn sporadically in other years as well. According to the official uniform database of the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Dodgers introduced their blue satin jerseys in 1944, but they may have used them a few times per season in every year up to, and even possibly later, than 1950. However, we have no evidence to indicate that brand-new satin jerseys were issued in each of the subsequent years. Rare and fascinating Brooklyn Dodgers powder-blue satin uniform (jersey and pants) worn by third-base coach Chuck Dressen in 1944. During the 1940s, the Dodgers, along with a few other National League teams, produced satin uniforms that were intended for use during night games. It was believed that the highly reflective satin fabric made the garments easier to see under the lights. Night baseball was in its infancy in the early 1940s and it is understandable that teams would try to make adjustments to take into account the new conditions presented by playing games at night. The Dodgers produced three different color schemes in satin: white for home games and two different shades of blue (dark blue and powder blue) for road games.
It has been generally accepted that these unique and rare-style satin jerseys were only worn by the Dodgers in 1944, and again, briefly, in 1948. (Both of the blue-satin uniforms were used in 1944, while the white-satin uniforms made their debut in 1948.) However, it was common for the Brooklyn coaches to wear their previously issued satin uniforms during spring training in other years as well, as evidenced by a number of different photos we have seen. The Dodgers unveiled the satin uniforms on May 12, 1944, in a road game at St. Louis. Apparently, given their short duration of use, the benefits were not great or the style was not popular with the players, as the satin jerseys were quickly retired. Only a few Brooklyn Dodgers satin jerseys (let alone a complete uniform as is the case here) are known to exist. This is only the third example of a Brooklyn Dodgers satin jersey we have ever offered. The first, also a powder-blue example (worn by Augie Galan), appeared as Lot 1270 in our May 2007 auction, where it realized $11,162. The other, a white-satin home jersey, worn by Carl Furillo, appears in this auction.
The blue satin jersey is lettered "Brooklyn" across the front and features the number "7" on the reverse. All letters and numbers are appliquéd in white tackle twill. The name "Dressen" is chain-stitched in blue upon a white strip tag in the collar. Also located in the collar, adjacent to the name tag, are a "Wilson" label and a "44" size tag. The matching pants are similarly tagged in the waistband, with the name "Dressen" chain-stitched in blue on a white strip tag. Adjacent to the name are a "Wilson" label and a "38" size tag. The year, "44" is chain-stitched in white along the fly. Both the jersey and pants are completely original, with no alterations, and display moderate-to-heavy wear throughout, including moderate staining and a few small holes. This is an outstanding example of one of the rarest and most interesting major league uniforms ever produced. Reserve $2,500. Estimate $5,000++. SOLD FOR $5,629
It has been generally accepted that these unique and rare-style satin jerseys were only worn by the Dodgers in 1944, and again, briefly, in 1948. (Both of the blue-satin uniforms were used in 1944, while the white-satin uniforms made their debut in 1948.) However, it was common for the Brooklyn coaches to wear their previously issued satin uniforms during spring training in other years as well, as evidenced by a number of different photos we have seen. The Dodgers unveiled the satin uniforms on May 12, 1944, in a road game at St. Louis. Apparently, given their short duration of use, the benefits were not great or the style was not popular with the players, as the satin jerseys were quickly retired. Only a few Brooklyn Dodgers satin jerseys (let alone a complete uniform as is the case here) are known to exist. This is only the third example of a Brooklyn Dodgers satin jersey we have ever offered. The first, also a powder-blue example (worn by Augie Galan), appeared as Lot 1270 in our May 2007 auction, where it realized $11,162. The other, a white-satin home jersey, worn by Carl Furillo, appears in this auction.
The blue satin jersey is lettered "Brooklyn" across the front and features the number "7" on the reverse. All letters and numbers are appliquéd in white tackle twill. The name "Dressen" is chain-stitched in blue upon a white strip tag in the collar. Also located in the collar, adjacent to the name tag, are a "Wilson" label and a "44" size tag. The matching pants are similarly tagged in the waistband, with the name "Dressen" chain-stitched in blue on a white strip tag. Adjacent to the name are a "Wilson" label and a "38" size tag. The year, "44" is chain-stitched in white along the fly. Both the jersey and pants are completely original, with no alterations, and display moderate-to-heavy wear throughout, including moderate staining and a few small holes. This is an outstanding example of one of the rarest and most interesting major league uniforms ever produced. Reserve $2,500. Estimate $5,000++. SOLD FOR $5,629