UCLA letterman sweater, Mladin Zarubica, c. 1939, teammate of Jackie Robinson

Description: If you have questions about the condition of this item, please feel free to contact me via eBay well before the listing ends. Descriptions will be kept to a minimum. I will not be trying to list all defects, but if I notice a major defect, I will try to point it out. This listing is for one item: One UCLA letterman's sweater, formerly belonging to Mladin Zarubica, who played on the UCLA varsity football-team during the seasons of 1937, 1938, and 1939. I discuss this sweater in a post on my UCLA-history blog, which (among other things) deals with early UCLA football and UCLA football uniforms. This sweater would make a great "key item"—or centerpiece or cornerstone—for a collection of UCLA football memorabilia. Babe Horrell was head coach of the UCLA Bruins football team for the seasons of 1939 through 1944. The season of 1939 was possibly the greatest UCLA football season (depending on your criteria), especially in view of the earliness of the season in UCLA's history. UCLA went undefeated that season (though with several ties). On the team with Zarubica that season were UCLA luminaries Jackie Robinson, Kenny Washington, and Woody Strode. That was the only season that all three of those men were on the team at the same time. Robinson's second (and final) football season at UCLA was the 1940 season. Since the sweater has three stripes, I think that it likely corresponds to Zarubica's final football-season at UCLA, which was the 1939 season. (Since the football season basically ended in late 1939, the sweater may have been acquired by Zarubica in 1940.) It's my understanding that in those days, at least in general, only non-freshmen could "letter" in a sport. If you were a freshman and qualified, you would be awarded a numeral representing your projected year of graduation. (In fact it is my understanding that Zarubica's freshman sweater bore the numeral 40.) Overall, the sweater is in beautiful condition. There is a little bit of light spotting (very insignificant). I have always understood or assumed that this sweater was based on Zarubica lettering in football. I'm not aware of him playing any other sports at UCLA. I have a scrapbook from that era which apparently was maintained by Zarubica (or I suppose a member of his family). It's loaded with clippings and whatnot, but I don't think they focus on any sport other than football. USA participants only, for shipping only to a USA destination. Shipping (including postage, packing, and handling) is extra: $35. Signature may be required. California sales tax is extra, and if applicable will be added at checkout. Thanks for looking! Thomas A. Sawyer

Price: 795 USD

Location: Tustin, California

End Time: 2024-12-03T06:16:33.000Z

Shipping Cost: 35 USD