Rare original House of David full uniform (jersey and pants) worn by pitcher Carl Edward O'Grady during his time with the club, circa 1940. This jersey originates directly from O'Grady's estate and is accompanied by a real-photo postcard of the House of David baseball team in which O'Grady is pictured wearing this very uniform (easily photo matched compared to the other examples worn by his teammates). Also included is a game ball used by O'Grady during his first professional game in 1928. O'Grady played three seasons of professional baseball (1928 and 1935-36), all in the minors. We do not know how many seasons he played with the House of David, but it was most likely after his final minor-league season in 1936. 

The House of David was a religious sect founded in 1902. Based in Benton Harbor, Michigan, the House of David was best known for its traveling baseball team, which it used as a source of revenue and recruitment. What made the club unforgettable, was the fact that each team member had long hair and beards (shaving was forbidden by members of the order). Over the years, many big-name Major Leaguers played one or more games as a member of the House of David team, including Grover Alexander, Satchel Paige, and Chief Bender. Despite the team's fame, jerseys, and especially full uniforms, are scarce. This is just the second House of David jersey and first complete uniform we have ever offered. 

The gray pinstriped jersey, with red-and-blue piping along the collar, button panel, and sleeve ends, features the team name, "House of David" in red felt on the front. A "Spalding" label appears in the collar. To the left of the label are the numbers "6-42" chain-stitched in red. While we cannot state with certainty, we believe those two numbers denote, respectively, the uniform number and size. However, there is no number on the reverse, nor can we see any evidence of a number having been removed. The jersey displays considerable wear, indicative of multiple seasons of use, including moderate scattered staining, a few tiny tears, tears to the piping along both the collar and button panel, and three missing buttons. The matching gray pinstriped pants feature red-and-blue piping running down the side of each leg. Located in the rear waistband are a "Spalding" label and the numbers "11-38" chain-stitched in red. The button-fly pants also display considerable wear, including staining, small tears, and loss of piping. Additionally, each pant leg has been trimmed/cut along the base. 

The accompanying real-photo postcard (5.5x3.5") pictures fourteen House of David team members posing together in uniform. As noted in ink on the reverse, O'Grady is pictured standing in the back row, fourth from the left. The postcard displays numerous moderate creases and is in Fair to Good condition. Together with a baseball used in the game in which O'Grady pitched and won his first professional game. O'Grady has noted the specifics of the game in blue ink on all six panels. In part: "This is the ball that I pitched my first professional game with for the Cedar Rapid Bunnies against the Marshalltown Ansons in the Mississippi Valley League on Monday, June 11, 1928. The score 2-1 in favor of the Bunnies." On another panel he has signed it "Carl Edward O'Grady 1928." Very Good to Excellent condition.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: $31.04 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.