Spring Premier Auction 2014

Rip Repulski, the Cardinals' slugging outfielder in the early 1950's and a nine-year major league veteran, wore this intriguing jersey that holds forth even more fascination than you would typically expect from a garment nearly 60 years old. Here offered is Redbirds apparel as rare as it gets in a one-year style that dramatically enhances the appeal of a jersey from the Golden Era of Baseball from the beloved Midwest powerhouse franchise. From 1922 until the present day, the embroidered, script-style "Cardinals" name has been prominently displayed just below the design element with the two Cardinals atop a baseball bat, with the only interruption in that plan being 1956. In a departure from the familiar style, the Cards wore jerseys like the offered shirt in 1956 only. This particular treasure, a gray flannel button-down jersey, features "Cardinals" angled across the chest in red-on-midnight navy felt. Unaccompanied by the birds-and-bat logo, the cursive mascot name is accented by a lengthy paraph (underlining the team name). Repulski's No. 8 in red-on-midnight navy felt appears on the back. The intricate chenille embroidered Redbird with Bat mascot logo from the period appears in superb condition on the left sleeve. A "Rawlings Hall of Fame Flannel" manufacturer's label (Size 42) and bold red embroidered notations of "Repulski - 56" appear on the vented and tapered left front tail. Within that same tail on the inside, a laundering instructions tag is accompanied by a flap tag denoting "SET 1 - 1956." With its seven original silver-hued buttons intact, the item exhibits evidence of moderate wear. There are no signs of repair or alteration, and there are four holes (as tailored) under each arm to facilitate ventilation.