Glove Experts - OK, what did I buy?

[Rob L]

Hey all,

Just picked up this white leather glove. Any clue to the age? And no, their is no evidence that a web was attached.

Thanks,

Rob L

[vintagesportscollector]

Hi Rob. OK. I was watching this auction and honestly I didn't think it was a non-web workman's glove. The seller says no evidence of a web, but the pictures are not clear, so you will need to assess that for yourself when you receive the glove. I am not a glove expert, but I am fairly knowledgeable.

A non-web workmans glove would date this to the 1880s. This does not look like an 1880s glove based on the design and features, IMO. The cloth piping, laced bottom, back strap with double button holes, lining and overall shape of fingers seem off. It is also big...a workmans glove would probably be small, not much bigger than a hand, and would be shaped more like a hand, taller fingers and more narrow.

This didn't go unnoticed, but I wouldn't trust the underbidders (I think they are far from experts and probably had doubt too). It's the "experts" that didn't bid that are conspicuously absent that further add to my doubt.

Just my opinion...I could be wrong...I think you'll have a better idea once you get it. (I hope I am wrong and you are rewarded for taking a chance )

-Joe

[vintagesportscollector]

Hi Rob- I am doing some more research, digging through photos, and I've come across some photos of non-web workmans gloves which have some similar features as this glove...specifically the backstrap and shape of fingers as this glove...so I'm thinking that it could possible this could be genuine. The gloves I've seen though have rolled piping and asbestos linings and generally look more 19th cent. Anyway, I'm probably not helping, but just wanted to let you know it's possible.

[Rob L]

Hi Joe,

I actually wasn't figuring this to be a non-webbed glove also, particularly because of the laced bottom. I was more interested in the white leather and was intrigued by the possibility that it might be non-webbed. I was thinking more along the lines of the 1900s, but I will check the webbing issue immediately.

Rob

[Rob L]

Oops, I was mistaken regarding the lacing on the bottom of the glove. I was checking out the Smithsonian collections book last night and noticed that Gallagher has an 1890s glove that does have the same shape and lacing on the bottom of the glove.

Rob

[vintagesportscollector]

Nice. I'm at work now but will check out the Smithsonian book when I get home. I sent Rob Mucha an email to get his opinion..figured he would know best. The more examples I see the more I think it could be 1890's...but the combination of features just seems to make it look more recent. Could it possibly be a more recent, say 1910s, hybrid glove that was made w/o a web? I don't think I have ever seen a webless from era. If it was truly made w/o a web then I think its very rare regardless of the exacy date.

[Rob L]

Hi Joe, check out the spiral palmed glove in the Smithsonian. It is the glove that I was referring to.

I emailed the seller to let him know I sent payment and asked a few additional questions. There is apparently no obvious manufacturers mark on the button. I told him about the debate regarding the web and asked that he check the stitching tightness, seam gaps or an extra layer of leather within the seam where a web could have been cut. He indicated that the stitching is very tight and that there are no gaps in the seam or or extra leather between the seams. This is intriguing!!

Rob L

[mjkm90]

Hi Rob. I love a good glove mystery . It looks like a c.1910 glove based on the size of the thumb, width of the strap, width of the heal and heal lacing. I've seen laced heal gloves from the 1890 time frame, but they looked more workman like. It is a very nice looking glove in great shape. It could be a transition glove also.

[vintagesportscollector]

Rob- I'd agree with Mike that it looks 1910s for the same reasons he described, but there are many exceptions/variations out there especially if this is some sort of hybrid/transtion glove. I looked at the spiral glove in the Smith book and it's hard to use that as a comparison,IMO. Who am I to question Gallacher(or Wong) but I'd question if that was really an 1890s glove without seeing an example in some catalog from that period.

Still continues to be a nice mystery...we need to dig up a catalog from 1890 - 1910 that shows some exampe of this type of glove. All I have are the old Spalding's online which don't show anything like this that is webless.

[Rob L]

Hey guys, I would think this sounds right, I just can't get pass the webless thing that late. As far as the Galagher glove was concerned, I was only refering to the bottom lacing and the overall shape of the thumb and fingers. Of course, that is assuming that his glove is an 1890s glove. The webbing on it would seem to date it later, but I'm no expert. I also sent this thread to Rob M. and Jim D. to see what their thoughts were. Should be interesting.

Rob L