Seeking opinions on a GU Ripken 1997 Black Alternate Jersey

[atsfuji]

Hello,

I was hoping to get some expert opinions on a 1997 Ripken alternate jersey. I am seeking to obtain this jersey via trade and just wanted to get some third party help before pulling the trigger. I have attached some pictures that were sent to me along with a LoO from Grey Flannel.

I searched Getty and Corbis for images to compare script and such but to no avail. Any help will be much appreciated.

Thank you,

[kingjammy24]

1997:



the "s" is different. i don't know enough about orioles script to know when the "s" changed from one style to another.

rudy.

[atsfuji]

Rudy,

Thank you for compiling all those images.

Best,


Rick

[kingjammy24]

the first "O" is also different. i'm sure mark sutton knows what all this means.

rudy.

[bigtime59]

Bogus. 1999-pattern script on a "1997" jersey. Put front piping on it, take the patches off and replace them with the cartoon bird swinging a bat, and you have the alternate jersey the Orioles SHOULD be wearing, but, alas, are not.
One of these days, I'd love to be able to say something doesn't look fake to me. Oh, well...

Mark Sutton
bigtime39@aol.com

[bigtime59]

For a second there, I was wondering why anyone would strip the patch off a 1999 black and replace it with the 1997 patch set, but then I remembered that the 1999 blacks had their birds pulled for the 2000 make-'em-up-on-the-fly alternate the O's wore once before being slapped down by MLB. I NEED one of those 1999 birds really badly, to restore a G/U BJ Ryan jersey. Sigh...
Mark

[atsfuji]

Mark,

Thank you for looking.

The images of the 97 alternates that Rudy compiled does not show a cartoon bird swinging a bat. Were there different alt styles in 97?

Also, I am being told that the jersey was bought from GF in August, 1999. (Which coincides with the script discrepancy...)

Just curious.

[hblakewolf]

I have a legit 1997 alternate black Ripken with pants that I have posted on the Forum before. If you search under the old posts, you will find photos and details. If you can't find it and would like photos, please email me at the address below.

Are you sure Grey Flannel wrote a LOA on this? Can you provide a shot of it here?

Mark, thanks for once again providing your expertise and insight on O's equipment. You are the best!

Howard Wolf
hblakewolf@patmedia.net

[bigtime59]

Mark,

Thank you for looking.

The images of the 97 alternates that Rudy compiled does not show a cartoon bird swinging a bat. Were there different alt styles in 97? .

No, I was getting up on my soapbox again on what I think the Orioles alternate jersey should look like...

Also, I am being told that the jersey was bought from GF in August, 1999. (Which coincides with the script discrepancy...)

Was going through my research photos folder for another reason, and found a bogus "Ripken game worn" road jersey with the same problem. This one I really don't understand, as the 1999 road jerseys did not get de-birded. If you're faking for fun and profit, why bother removing one patch, and replacing it with three? 1997 is not that big of a Ripken year, even if it is the last time the O's made the playoffs.

[atsfuji]

Howard,

Per your request... the LoO from Grey Flannel.