1880's Browns Uniforms

[ringo-dog]

I am doing research on the 1880's St. Louis Browns uniforms. My biggest problem is confirming the colors used. Of course, all photographs were in black and white back then. The only color pictures I can find are drawn pictures. I have fould these are often just fantasy! I have found one photo of Tom Dolan from 1887 and one team photo from 1884 that show dark uniforms, presumably used "out of town". I have seen several baseball card drawings showing a red shirt and dark blue pants. As these colors both show the same in black and white photos it is a problem confirming the red and blue. I have also seen drawn pictures copying photos that show red stripes on the hats and brown lettering on the shirts with red lacings. A picture of a "St Louis Browns Champion Soap" box I have seen seems to show the stripes as more brown. I am particularly dubious that the team would have used red and blue uniforms when they were called the Browns! The red and brown mix on the shirts and red caps makes a little more sense. Thanks for any help!

[TonyK]

I am doing research on the 1880's St. Louis Browns uniforms. My biggest problem is confirming the colors used. Of course, all photographs were in black and white back then. The only color pictures I can find are drawn pictures. I have fould these are often just fantasy! I have found one photo of Tom Dolan from 1887 and one team photo from 1884 that show dark uniforms, presumably used "out of town". I have seen several baseball card drawings showing a red shirt and dark blue pants. As these colors both show the same in black and white photos it is a problem confirming the red and blue. I have also seen drawn pictures copying photos that show red stripes on the hats and brown lettering on the shirts with red lacings. A picture of a "St Louis Browns Champion Soap" box I have seen seems to show the stripes as more brown. I am particularly dubious that the team would have used red and blue uniforms when they were called the Browns! The red and brown mix on the shirts and red caps makes a little more sense. Thanks for any help!

Have you checked any St. Louis newspapers for those years? They often wrote about the team's new uniforms and what colors they were. Start looking in March and you might find a reference about them. I have found many teams colors that way.

Have you asked researchers that have written about the club? There has to be a few knowledgable people who can verify if the drawings are accurate. Maybe a SABR member could help you?