by BretMan » May 6th, 2009, 8:49 pm
Even though this is a split-finger glove, with the "full" web I had always assumed these gloves to have been issued in the early 1950's. A few gloves with non-laced fingers did hang in there until as late as the mid-1950's.
Hutch information is scarce in the collecting guides- catalog data from only a couple of years is available. But what is there shows a VINCE DiMaggio model issued in 1941, a model #40, which was their top-of-the-line glove. That definitely isn't this glove.
The 1956 catalog lists a #53 "DiMaggio Model" (no first name). That catalog also lists a #360 model, unendorsed, described as the "New Laced in Heel Model". I'm not sure if that refers to the laced heel of the glove at the wrist opening (which this glove has) or possibly a glove that had palm lace holding in the heel padding (which this glove does not).
So, there is documentation that Hutch was issuing "DiMaggio" model gloves as late as 1956, and #360 model gloves at the same time. Somewhere in the era the #360 model must have also been the DiMaggio model.
The consensus among collectors has always been that Hutch had the rights to use the DiMaggio name, based on Vinces's earlier glove contract, and continued to issue gloves endorsed with "DiMaggio" well after Vince's career had ended to capitalize on brother Joe's fame and aura.
Also of note is that Hutch, which was based in Cincinnati, seemed to get endorsement deals with a good number of Cincinnati players, which would have been the case with Vince right around the time his initial contract with Hutch must have been signed.