Sweater
Object number2019.32.1
Manufacturer
The Imperial Knitting Company
Date1948
OriginMilwaukee, WI
MediumFabric; Felt; Plastic
Credit LineGift of Dorothy Burns
DescriptionBlack or dark blue knit fabric high school letter sweater, size 36. Long-sleeve. Stand-up collar and v-neck. Six dark gray plastic buttons down front opening. One pocket on the front of each hip. Applied red and white fabric letter "W" at the center of the proper left front panel; letter has yellow and black football in the viewer's top left corner. DimensionsHeight x Width (Width between shoulder seams): 26.5 x 17 in. (67.3 x 43.2 cm)InscriptionsApplied red and white fabric letter "W" at the center of the proper left front panel.
MarksInside back collar at top center is off-white fabric label with green embroidered text “IMPERIAL / ART-KOTE / ATHLETIC KNITWEAR / THE IMPERIAL KNITTING Co. / MILWAUKEE, U.S.A. / 36”.
Historical NotesThis letter sweater was worn by the donor’s father, Conrad Howard Sharps, who was a quarterback for the Oakland Wildcats in 1948. The Wildcats was a neighborhood team that was part of the Oakland Athletic Association. Sharps was born in Dormont, Pennsylvania, and later moved with his family to Oakland, where they owned and managed apartments on Atwood Avenue. He graduated from Schenley High School in 1948 and attended Waynesburg College, where he met his future wife. After a few years he quit college to work for J&L Steel as an industrial engineer. The company sent him to night school at Carnegie Tech and he graduated in 1966.
Previous owner
Conrad Howard Sharps
Related institution
Oakland Wildcats
Related institution
Oakland Athletic Association
Related institution
Schenley High School
Related institution
Waynesburg College
Related institution
Jones and Laughlin Steel Company
Related institution
Carnegie Mellon University
On View
Not on view
School Apparel Inc.
1985-1989
1980-1989
