55-57 Wool Tie Down - No numbers on sleeve
55-57 Glen Skov (red - larger tommies) and Harry Watson (white - smaller tommies) game worn jerseys
Brand: Lippman's/Coane
Material: Wool
Hem: Nothing
Set Tagging: None
Patches: None
Sets: Believed to be one per color per season
Notes
Material: Wool
Hem: Nothing
Set Tagging: None
Patches: None
Sets: Believed to be one per color per season
Notes
- For the 1955-56 season, the Black Hawks introduced a new look, that looks very similar to what they wear today. They left behind the multi-striped 'barberpole' style jersey and the round logo with Chicago Black Hawks circling the Indian head crest. They introduced the red jersey with black and white stripes on the hem and elbows (note that there are two black and three white stripes, compared to one black and two white today), and a logo which featured just the Indian Head likeness of Sauk Chief Black Hawk. The white is similar to today's jersey as well, with three black and red stripes on the elbows and hem. Also a tie-down neck was introduced, the first time the team wore this style.
- The crest varies from what is seen today in several ways. The forehead warpaint was color, as was the cheek and chin. The necklace is no longer found after the 59-60 season. The hair detail is at a much steeper angle and the coloring of the feather detail varies. The nose has more of a hook to it and the eyes have a bit more detail. Overall, however, it is similar to today's crest. These were a felt/wool material.
- The C with crossed tomahawks logo was also introduced, but rather than be on the shoulder, where they are found today, the tommies are positioned just above the elbow. At least 4 versions were used in the two seasons of this style. The first ones worn were much smaller than the later versions. The smaller version on the red jerseys looks to feature a red C and red stones with black handles on a white outline. The later, larger version featured a yellow C, red handles and a while stone. It is unknown if the tommies were removed and replaced, or a new set of jerseys was issued. More than likely, the tommies were changed. Both versions were a felt/wool material. The white jerseys looked to feature a red C with white handles and a red stone, both in the smaller and larger versions.
- In 55-56, the red jerseys switched from the smaller tommies to the larger in November of 1955. Examples of the smaller are seen on 11-3-55 in Boston, while the larger appear in the next road game, on 11-10-55 in Detroit. The white jerseys feture the smaller tommies for the entire season.
- In 56-57, the red jerseys have the larger tommies throughout the year. The white jerseys have the smaller tommies on 10-18-56 at Montreal, but switch to the larger tommies by 10-25-56 at Detroit. In between those two games is a 10-21-56 game at New York. Photos from that Ranger game are being sought.
- The jerseys were made of wool as are the crest and tommies. The rear numbers are made of tackle twill and measure 10".
- The Watson jersey pictured above recently was auctioned and included a red tie-down laces. It is unknown if that was original to the jersey as the only other known example (a #7 Sullivan) did not include the tie-down lace. The red seems to have been on the jersey for quite a while, looking for confirmation if the red was original to the jersey.
- These jerseys were contained tags by Lippman's Detroit and a Coane Philadelphia size tag in the hem. The tags are pictured below.
- The neck was a tie-down style, the first time the Hawks used them. They would continue with the tie-down until the 64-65 season.
- These jerseys were likely recycled for practice and training camps.
Examples of the small & large tommies in photos of George Red Sullivan from 55-56.
Action from 10-22-55 showing the Hawks wearing the smaller tommies in red and 1-8-56 in white.
By 1-22-56 , the Hawks had switched to the larger tommies in Red.
In the 56-57 season opener on 10-11-56, the Hawks wore the smaller tommy. By 11-10-56, they had switched to the larger tommies on the white jerseys.
The red jerseys with the large tommies are found throughout 56-57: 10-11-56 vs the Rangers and 3-3-57 vs Toronto shown above.