Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

I recently received a Billy Southworth glove over the holidays from a family member. Problem is the name is not visible and I cannot confirm that it actually is a Southworth glove. The model # is 1689 and it has it's original JC Higgins tag. I can't find any information for this model # except that Pie Traynor had this same model # with JC higgins. I know it's not Traynor as the "Wm" is visible on glove but nothing else. Where could I go to find information to link this model glove with a Southworth? I had seen a Southworth model #1688 higgins on baseballglovecollector.com but mine has a 1 inch web style. Thanks in advance for any help provided and happy new years.

The Vintage Baseball Glove Catalog Source Book, published by Joe Phillips, is an essential tool for glove collectors when it comes to identifying old gloves. The book collects hundreds of catalogs from sporting goods companies and retailers, complete with their detailed descriptions of glove model numbers and endorsers.

For some of the larger companies, such as Rawlings and Wilson, a nearly complete record has been compiled dating back to the early 20th century. For others, the historical data isn't so complete. Unfortunately, for the JC Higgins brand (which was sold through Sears stores and catalogs) there are quite a few gaps in the record.

As a retailer, Sears didn't actually produce these gloves. They were manufactured under contract with established sporting goods makers- most notably, Wilson- then labeled with the JC Higgins stampings and logos. The only JC Higgins Southworth-endorsed glove listed in the Source Book is a 1927 model- with a tantalizingly close model number of #1688. While not definite proof, it does lead you to believe that you're on the right track!

After the 1927 Sears catalog, the next one available is for 1935. It's not inconceivable that another model was issued, with a similar model number, during those "missing" years. It is also documented that Rawlings sold a Southworth-endorsed model between 1930-1934, which probably means that the JC Higgins glove was produced prior to that timeframe.

Is your glove by chance a lefty? It wasn't uncommon for the left-handed versions of right-handed gloves to carry a sequential model number.

Thanks so much for your help...this book is definately one i'm going to invest in. I can say that the southworth is a "lefty" glove so maybe that explains the model #1689 as opposed to the #1688.