ADDENDUM: CATALOG HEADING DID NOT MENTION THAT HELMET IS AUTOGRAPHED BY GUS SHAVER.
Featured here is an incredibly rare set of vintage gridiron uniform pieces game-worn by a college football legend. Gaius "Gus" Shaver (born 1910, died 1998) played quarterback and fullback for the University of Southern California Trojans from 1929 through 1931. He was a consensus All-America selection in 1931 and led the 10-1 Trojans to the National Title. The 1931 Trojans lost their opening game to St. Mary’s College, but won the remaining 10 games. When USC faced Notre Dame that year, the Fighting Irish were ranked No. 1 in the country and had won 26 in a row. Shaver scored two touchdowns in the 4th quarter to lead USC to a 16–14 come-from-behind win in South Bend. It was the Trojans’ first win on Notre Dame’s home field. Shaver wore this uniform ensemble during USC's glorious National Championship season. The set includes his autographed leather helmet, maroon home jersey, gold pants, hip/back pads and block cleats.
Starting at the top, we have Gus Shaver's game-worn Spalding helmet (late 1920's - early 1930's era) with the original chinstrap still intact. The leather exterior is a crimson color with four protective sewn-on straps that intersect at the top and two large earholes. The Spalding brand is stamped on the rear. The interior features leather padding and an eight-point suspension system joined at the top center by a circular piece. One of the interior suspension straps has separated from the leather. The all-original helmet is in EX condition in spite of heavy wear inside and out. Shaver has signed on the outer back side in very legible 8/10 silver marker.
Next is Gus Shaver's game-worn burgundy/maroon long-sleeved jersey sweater. The wool pullover garment has his No. "22" sewn in orange fabric (feels like cotton) on the back. There are nine black canvas friction strips on the front and four more on each arm. Sewn inside the collar is the Pacific Knitting manufacturer's tag, most of which has torn off to leave "PACIFIC K----NG, MIL--, Size 4-, LOS ANGELES." There is a team repair on the tag as well. The sweater shows heavy wear, with a white contact mark on the front left and numerous holes in the wool all over from gridiron action. Very hard to find this style in the hobby, let alone attributable to a legendary player like Shaver. (His '31 road white/beige gamer is also available in this auction!)
His gold Spalding pants are equally thrashed with dark staining throughout, white chalk marks on the knees, and several large holes and a red stain on the back. The Spalding tagging appears inside the rear waist indicating size 32. "SHAVER" is printed twice inside the waist. The crotch laces are still intact and all pockets are functionable. The material used for padding the knees and thighs has hardened over time. The fourth piece of this ensemble are Shaver's Goldsmith hip pads that have certainly been put to the test. The vintage design features six leather shell pads sewn on a cloth sheet that protect the hips, tailbone and lower back. A leather belt strap attached at the front waist area. Two of the leather shell pads have Shavers' No. "22" marked in yellow paint. The GoldSmith tag is stitched near the belt loop stap, which is amazingly still intact along with the rusted metal buckle. The cloth is ripped in some areas and the interior padding has hardened from aging.
The final piece to this ensemble is Shaver's game-worn pair of brown leather stacked cleats - another super rare football equipment item to find in the hobby! The bottom still holds dirt from game use and the leather exterior is beaten with contact and scuff marks. The original laces of these beauties are still present, although they have torn about 3/4 the way up. Overall, what an impressive collection of early 20th century football equipment worn by a legend of Troy!
Includes Letter of Provenance from the Newport Sports Museum.
Pre-certified by PSA/DNA.