Auction Item Details
Lot 1021
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Lot Number: 1021
Description: Significant 1956 Balt. Colts Johnny Unitas First Professional Football game worn jersey. Royal blue Durene style shirt with applied number 19 on front and back worn by Johnny Unitas during the first six preliminary season games in 1956. Retains original MacGregor and dry cleaning tags on tail, jersey shows excellent usage wear incl. a few small holes and slit on back. Through research and photographic comparison we have determined the shirt to having been worn in the six games played leading up to the 1956 season as in the images located during the 1956 season the Colts also had numbers on their sleeves. Given the fact that it was only six games and that Unitas was a rookie it is very likely that this was the only such jersey made or at a minimum the only surviving example. Unitas was cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1955 and after being signed by the Colts as a free agent in 1956 he leaped into the starting quarterback role after the fourth game in the season due to an injury to quarterback George Shaw. Unitas would lead the Colts from that point on amassing such astounding personal and team records such as (2,830) pass completions, (40,239) yards, and (290) touchdowns. Given the condition, vintage, and impeccable provenance the offered jersey must be considered the finest Unitas game worn jersey to be offered at auction and one of the finest professional football shirts extant. Includes letter of provenenance from family and LOA from David Bushing/Dan Knoll: EX
Estimated Price: ($20,000.00-$30,000.00)
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