#letter sweater

[electronicsquid]

Some sort of themed weekend at Syracuse

(Lisa Larsen. 1949)

[markonpark]

Etsy, MARKonPARK: Students in Letter Sweaters! Each listed separately.

[mudwerks]

(via 20th April 2022 - all things amazing —)

[electronicsquid]

Dartmouth football team with a game ball from their victory over Brown (Dartmouth 22 - Brown 0)

(H.H.H. Langill? 1901)

[electronicsquid]

Fort Peck, Montana - I just like the guy in the letter sweater

(Margaret Bourke-White. 1936)

[electronicsquid]

For a story on West Coast Youths

(Loomis Dean. 1951?)

[jmmfashionstatement]

48. Letter sweater, 1936

Letter sweater, 1936. Gift of Rona Posner. JMM 2008.94.1

Lester “Les” or “Poz” Posner (1918-2007) attended Baltimore City College High School, graduating in 1936. According to his senior yearbook, he played on City’s basketball team for four years, including three years – two those as captain – on the varsity team. The two stars on the left sleeve represent his service as team captain.

From “The Green Bag,” Baltimore City College’s yearbook, 1936. Gift of Rona Posner. JMM 2008.94.422

Today’s varsity or letter jacket can trace its origins back to the letter sweaters worn by Harvard University’s baseball team in 1865. Pullover or cardigan sweaters were used by US high schools and colleges until the mid- 20th century, when baseball-style jackets came into favor; in all cases, they serve as the vehicle for displaying the student’s varsity letter, awarded for athletic (or, today, other teams and clubs) participation.

“Baltimore City College Varsity Emblem Certificate. This is to Certify that Mr. Lester Posner by a successful participation in the required number of athletic events has earned the right to wear the Varsity Emblem of this Institution, according to the rules of this Association. Specific Event: Basketball. Date: March 1934.” Signed by the Principal, the coach, the Director of Athletics, the team captain, and the faculty manager. Gift of Rona Posner. JMM 2008.94.36

Wearing your letter sweater or varsity jacket out and about tells people not only your school affiliation, but more than that, it also tells them that you’re an athlete, who has passed a qualification. Posner proudly framed his “Varsity Emblem” certificate, but he could hardly carry it around with him as proof of his athletic activities; the letter sweater achieved that for him.

Lester Posner in his letter sweater, downtown Baltimore, circa 1936. Gift of Rona Posner. JMM 2008.04.4

Find the full list of Fashion Statement “extras” here.

[streetnystyle-blog]

$37.99 White Snowflake Letter Knitted Sweater from Stayingsummer