This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
ADDENDUM: This jersey has been graded A9 by MEARS. The complete text of the MEARS analysis has been added to this listing with the final LOA and image plates to be added shortly.
A star right from his Rookie of the Year debut in 1961, “Sweet Billy” Williams embodied the “Never Say Die” of the Chicago Cubs of the 1960’s. By 1968 Williams was four-time All-Star and just two years away from winning the National League MVP Award. Williams finished the ’68 season with 30 home runs, the 8th of 13 consecutive season of 20 or more round trippers. This was the jersey “Sweet Billy” wore while roaming Wrigley Fields’ right field during that summer of 1968.
The home white pinstripe flannel has the famous “Cubs” circle patch on the left chest and size “40” Wilson tagging sewn in the left front tail. A Wilson “1968 SET 1” label is sewn on the bottom of the front placket. A white strip tag with “26-68-1-40” chain stitched in black is sewn inside the collar. The left sleeve has the “Cubbie Bear” face patch and the right has the Illinois State Sesquicentennial Patch worn during the 1968 season. The back has Williams’ number “26” in Cubs royal blue. Numbers and letters are all-original and have aged very well. The jersey exhibits ample wear with some light soiling to the flannel material. Pitting evident from repeated laundering. The patch and lettering stitching have some loose threads, but remains tightly wound. Side-by-side photo-matched images are attached which show the same alignment and patterns. A wonderful gamer from one of the greatest players to ever wear a Cubs jersey.
Includes MEARS letter graded A9.