1964 Hank Aaron Milwaukee Braves Game-Used Road Jersey MEARS A8.5

Sold For:

$168,000

Year:

1964

Auction:

2022 Fall

Lot #:

18

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Superb Milwaukee Braves road jersey worn by Hall of Fame outfielder Hank Aaron during the 1964 season, the club's penultimate year in Milwaukee. Game-used jerseys dating from Aaron's time in Milwaukee are exceptionally rare and highly prized by collectors. This is one of only five examples we have seen offered at public auction in the past two decades. Any Hank Aaron game-used jersey is desirable given his top-tier Hall of Famer status, but the offered jersey, dating from the heart of his legendary career, is especially noteworthy. Aaron appeared in 145 games during the 1964 season, hitting 24 home runs coming off a career-high 44 the previous year. The gray-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 number (Aaron 1964 44) are chain-stitched upon a gray tag in the collar. A "Rawlings 42" label is located on the left front tail and a "Screaming Brave" team patch adorns the left sleeve. Graded A8.5 by MEARS, the jersey has moderate wear and is free of any alterations. It is original as issued other than the missing nameplate on the reverse of the jersey, for which MEARS has deducted one point in its grade assessment. This is a remarkable surviving jersey worn by one of the game's legendary figures. High-quality, game-used jerseys from some of sports most revered names have recently turned in tremendous results at public auction, including more than $10 million for Michael Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals jersey. The offered jersey presents an incredible opportunity to acquire a remarkably rare piece at what may turn out to be an attractive cost basis as the game-used jersey market continues to develop. Graded A8.5 by MEARS (base grade of 10, with one point deducted for the missing nameplate and a half-point deducted for a tiny stich separation in the logo patch). Opening Bid $50,000.