THE SPLENDID SPLINTER ON DISPLAY: A STRIKING 1940s TED WILLIAMS WILSON PRO MODEL GLOVE WITH ORIGINAL BOX

Outstanding example of a c.1940 Ted Williams Wilson Pro Model store glove presented unused and paired with its original Wilson Sporting Goods box. The glove remains in superb condition, with bold, crisp factory markings including Williams’ facsimile signature and the classic “It’s a Wilson” stamping on the thumb. Even more impressive, it still retains its original reddish leather tone, unlike the darker brown color typically seen on gloves that experienced years of field use.

In baseball, a player’s bat and glove represent the true tools of the trade, making surviving equipment tied to legendary figures like Ted Williams especially appealing. While bats often receive the most attention from collectors, gloves represent the other essential piece of a ballplayer’s craft, and examples connected to icons of the game carry strong historical and display appeal.

Equally striking is the original Wilson retail box, which features a wonderful period advertising design with a photograph of the “Splendid Splinter” and his facsimile signature. The vivid yellow advertising panel contrasts beautifully against the crimson-red Wilson box, creating an eye-catching presentation that enhances the overall display. Boxes were typically discarded when the glove was purchased, making surviving examples—especially those still paired with the glove—quite scarce.

The box shows some tearing along the top panel and faded writing on one side, but it remains entirely presentable and retains its authentic vintage character. While it could certainly be professionally restored if desired, it has been left exactly as found to preserve its originality.

Unused store-model gloves from this era are rarely encountered, as nearly all were purchased to be played with rather than preserved. The survival of this example in such remarkable condition is likely the result of decades of careful storage, allowing it to avoid the heavy use that most gloves experienced on sandlots and ballfields. Acquiring a glove in this condition is much like discovering a mint-state baseball card that somehow survived the bicycle spokes and eager hands of young collectors decades ago.

Acquired from an advanced collector who displayed it prominently in his office, the piece immediately draws attention thanks to the combination of the unused glove, vibrant graphics, and the unmistakable presence of Ted Williams. It is a visually striking and historically appealing display piece tied to one of baseball’s greatest hitters and Wilson’s classic mid-century sporting goods designs.