1940s/1950s Football Jersey Guerra #41
This early 1940s–1950s football jersey is a rare relic from the formative years of American gridiron culture—an era when uniforms were handcrafted, unbranded, and built to endure punishment. Cut from heavyweight cotton knit and constructed with classic ribbed cuffs and collar, this jersey carries the kind of raw integrity only found in pre-commercial sportswear. But the true standout feature? The name “Guerra” boldly emblazoned across the back—Spanish for war—a detail that adds not only character but poetic resonance.
Hand-stitched leather number patches dominate the front, thick and aged to perfection. This method of using actual leather for jersey numbers was a staple of midcentury teamwear, seen mostly in military or amateur leagues where each piece was stitched with care and designed for long-term use. The numbers are still well-attached and carry decades of patina that speak to real time on the field.
The “Guerra” name is patched in a no-nonsense font, denoting the last name of the athlete. But the translation—war—makes this piece feel almost mythic, especially when paired with the gridiron’s rough reputation. It reads like armor. Whether this belonged to a high school standout, a military league bruiser, or a small-town hero, it survives today as a one-of-a-kind example of American athletic grit.
Cropped large. Measures 22x21
Flaws - No major signs of wear, some color bleeding appears to be on sleeves
A must-have for serious collectors of pre-1960s sportswear or Americana, this jersey stands out as both a display piece and a relic of American football’s foundational era. Leather-numbered jerseys are among the rarest forms of vintage athletic gear—and ones in this kind of shape are almost never available.
This early 1940s–1950s football jersey is a rare relic from the formative years of American gridiron culture—an era when uniforms were handcrafted, unbranded, and built to endure punishment. Cut from heavyweight cotton knit and constructed with classic ribbed cuffs and collar, this jersey carries the kind of raw integrity only found in pre-commercial sportswear. But the true standout feature? The name “Guerra” boldly emblazoned across the back—Spanish for war—a detail that adds not only character but poetic resonance.
Hand-stitched leather number patches dominate the front, thick and aged to perfection. This method of using actual leather for jersey numbers was a staple of midcentury teamwear, seen mostly in military or amateur leagues where each piece was stitched with care and designed for long-term use. The numbers are still well-attached and carry decades of patina that speak to real time on the field.
The “Guerra” name is patched in a no-nonsense font, denoting the last name of the athlete. But the translation—war—makes this piece feel almost mythic, especially when paired with the gridiron’s rough reputation. It reads like armor. Whether this belonged to a high school standout, a military league bruiser, or a small-town hero, it survives today as a one-of-a-kind example of American athletic grit.
Cropped large. Measures 22x21
Flaws - No major signs of wear, some color bleeding appears to be on sleeves
A must-have for serious collectors of pre-1960s sportswear or Americana, this jersey stands out as both a display piece and a relic of American football’s foundational era. Leather-numbered jerseys are among the rarest forms of vintage athletic gear—and ones in this kind of shape are almost never available.
This early 1940s–1950s football jersey is a rare relic from the formative years of American gridiron culture—an era when uniforms were handcrafted, unbranded, and built to endure punishment. Cut from heavyweight cotton knit and constructed with classic ribbed cuffs and collar, this jersey carries the kind of raw integrity only found in pre-commercial sportswear. But the true standout feature? The name “Guerra” boldly emblazoned across the back—Spanish for war—a detail that adds not only character but poetic resonance.
Hand-stitched leather number patches dominate the front, thick and aged to perfection. This method of using actual leather for jersey numbers was a staple of midcentury teamwear, seen mostly in military or amateur leagues where each piece was stitched with care and designed for long-term use. The numbers are still well-attached and carry decades of patina that speak to real time on the field.
The “Guerra” name is patched in a no-nonsense font, denoting the last name of the athlete. But the translation—war—makes this piece feel almost mythic, especially when paired with the gridiron’s rough reputation. It reads like armor. Whether this belonged to a high school standout, a military league bruiser, or a small-town hero, it survives today as a one-of-a-kind example of American athletic grit.
Cropped large. Measures 22x21
Flaws - No major signs of wear, some color bleeding appears to be on sleeves
A must-have for serious collectors of pre-1960s sportswear or Americana, this jersey stands out as both a display piece and a relic of American football’s foundational era. Leather-numbered jerseys are among the rarest forms of vintage athletic gear—and ones in this kind of shape are almost never available.
