1965 Hank Aaron Signed Milwaukee Braves Game-Used Home Jersey - MEARS A9.5 and Photomatched - Final Season in Milwaukee!

Sold For:

$138,000

Year:

1965

Auction:

2019 Fall

Lot #:

17

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Milwaukee Braves home jersey worn by Hall of Fame outfielder Hank Aaron during the 1965 season, which was the club's final one in Milwaukee. Graded A9.5 by MEARS and photomatched by Resolution Photomatching. Hank Aaron Milwaukee Braves jerseys are rare and have always been highly prized by collectors. This is first such example we have ever offered and we can recall having seen only two others at auction in the past 15 years. In addition to its high grade, this jersey has also been photomatched by Resolution Photomatching to one worn by Aaron in an undated image. The white flannel jersey is lettered "Braves" across the chest and features the number "44" on the left breast and reverse. All letters and numerals are appliquéd in red on navy tackle twill. Aaron's name, the year, and the jersey's set number (Aaron H. 65 Set 1") are chain-stitched in black upon a white strip tag in the collar. A "Wilson 40" label is located on the left front tail and a "screaming" Braves team patch adorns the left sleeve. Aaron has signed the jersey in black marker (grading "6" on the left front tail). The jersey is original as issued, with no alterations, and displays moderate-to-heavy wear, including a tiny tear along the base of the first numeral "4" on the reverse. As previously noted, this particular jersey dates to the Braves' final season in Milwaukee before moving to Atlanta for the 1966 season. Aaron hit 398 of his eventual 755 home runs as a Milwaukee Brave, including 32 during the 1965 season. While we cannot state with certainty how many of those home runs came while wearing this jersey, one can only assume, given the amount of use displayed, that the jersey bore witness to a fair number of Aaron's "round-trippers" that summer. Aaron closed his 12-year career in Milwaukee by batting .318 with 32 home runs, 89 RBI, and a league-leading 40 doubles in 1965. Graded A9.5 by MEARS (base grade of 10, with a half point deducted for the tiny tear in the reverse numeral "4"). LOAs from Dave Grob/MEARS and John Robinson/Resolution Photomatching (for the jersey only). Full LOA from Steve Grad and Brian Sobrero/Beckett Authentication Services (for the signature only). Reserve $25,000. Estimate (open).