Rare and historically significant circa 1916 Boston Red Sox team sweater worn by first baseman Dick Hoblitzell. This garment comes with the special provenance of having been consigned directly by the Hoblitzell family and has been in the family's sole possession these past 100-plus years. Incredibly, in our 2022 Summer Classic Auction, we offered a photo album featuring 1916 Red Sox photographs belonging to Dick Hoblitzell (also consigned by the family) in which many members of the Boston Red Sox can be seen wearing this exact style sweater (link: https://auction.lelands.com/bids/bidplace?ItemId=110843).

This is an extremely early Boston Red Sox team-issued garment and we cannot recall having seen another example. Hoblitzell played with the Red Sox from 1914 through 1918, during which time he helped lead the club to three World Championships (1915, 1916, and 1918). We know this sweater was worn by the Red Sox players in 1916 based upon the aforementioned photo album, but it was almost certainly worn over the course of several seasons, possibly during Hoblitzell's entire five-year tenure with the club. If so, it represents a significant Boston Red Sox garment commemorating the club's 1910s baseball dynasty. 

The heavy red sweater features the team name "Red Sox" on the front in white felt lettering. There is a torn name tag in the collar, but one can still read Hoblitzell's partial name printed in black fountain pen: "R.C HOBL__ZELL." A manufacturer's tag appears on the interior left front tail, however, it displays a number of tears and the manufacturer's name is no longer legible. The sweater displays heavy wear, including minor pulls throughout, but is free of any tears or insect holes, and remains in Excellent condition.