GFC Dr. J. Jersey

[otismalibu]

1977-78 Road Blue Erving Sixers jersey

http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/LotDetail3.aspx?lotid=18578

Any of you hoops junkies have a game photo of Erving wearing a blue road jersey like the one in the upcoming GFC auction? I've found a number of pics and game specific photos, but they all have the stars spaced like they are in the two photos below.

The jersey is tagged a 76 and the 1976-77 Sixers jerseys did indeed seem to have the stars stacked up toward the top, like the GF jersey. But the 1976-77 Sixers jerseys had the traditional SIXERS (all upper case, 2 layer twill) name on front. So this couldn't be a recycled 76-77 jersey, unless someone took the old SIXERS name off and then added the 3 layer twill name they used for only the 1977-78 season. Seems unlikely.

Erving only played in 43 road games total for this entire season (no pre-season, 38 regular season, 5 playoff). I've accounted for about 25% of these games, but no style matches thus far.

[hblakewolf]

Re: GFC Dr. J. Jersey

1977-78 Road Blue Erving Sixers jersey

http://www.greyflannelauctions.com/LotDetail3.aspx?lotid=18578

Any of you hoops junkies have a game photo of Erving wearing a blue road jersey like the one in the upcoming GFC auction? I've found a number of pics and game specific photos, but they all have the stars spaced like they are in the two photos below.

The jersey is tagged a 76 and the 1976-77 Sixers jerseys did indeed seem to have the stars stacked up toward the top, like the GF jersey. But the 1976-77 Sixers jerseys had the traditional SIXERS (all upper case, 2 layer twill) name on front. So this couldn't be a recycled 76-77 jersey, unless someone took the old SIXERS name off and then added the 3 layer twill name they used for only the 1977-78 season. Seems unlikely.

Erving only played in 43 road games total for this entire season (no pre-season, 38 regular season, 5 playoff). I've accounted for about 25% of these games, but no style matches thus far.

Greg-

Your info is correct. I've attached a photo from the Portland TrailBlazers championship run in 1976/77. As you noted, this type of jersey with the stars "stacked" was the norm for this season, however, not later seasons. I'd be curious to know how Grey Flannel came to their findings that it was used "in later seasons" and not 1976? Did you contact Richie Russek or the folks at Grey Flannel for additional insight?



Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@comcast.net

[otismalibu]

Re: GFC Dr. J. Jersey

I first saw this jersey in the GF preview section. They only had a front and back photo and stated it was a 1976 jersey...probably based on the tag. I emailed them and told them it was a 77-78 and offered some game pics if they needed them. I couldn't see the stars on the side. They did respond with a simply "thank you" and "that would be great", but neither email was signed. When I asked about my bidder status, I never heard back

Once I saw the more detailed pics, I noticed what looks like a 77-78 team name/crest on a 76-77 jersey (see the stacked stars). I sent a couple of emails (with pics) to GFC, but no response.

In my last email to them, I wondered if this could have been some sort of sample sent to the 76ers to get approval for their 77-78 jersey. From 75-76 thru 78-79, the Sixers wore a different jersey each season.

Dick's Courtroom has a Big George road 77-78 Sixers in the gallery section and it has the spaced stars and also a Pearson tag. I don't know when the Pearson tags first appeared on 76ers jerseys.

This is not an altered jersey in my opinion. It looks too good and you can see the red twill has bled thru the upper white over time. Everything looks bang on except for the stars. And I'm not saying it's not a gamer, I just haven't yet been able to find a game photo or video footage to match the style.

I've found game specific photos that show the side panel stars for games in Nov. 77, Dec. 77, Feb. 78, Apr. 1978 and a game photo from each of the playoff series (Apr. 78 against the Knicks & May 78 against the Bullets) I've got other photos too, but those are impossible to attribute to a specific game (like the 2 I posted).

How many road jerseys would they have back then, for one season?

I would assume GFC has access to the HOF archives, so they would have an easier time finding a photo than I've been having.

[otismalibu]

Re: GFC Dr. J. Jersey

I should also add...

I emailed the gentleman who owns the jersey and not only did he send me a prompt email response with all the info he had, he gave me a phone call later on. Seemed like a great guy and told some interesting collecting stories.

[otismalibu]

Re: GFC Dr. J. Jersey

Here's a sampling of game pics from the 1977-78 season.