Today’s Olympic uniforms are graphic-heavy and unabashedly flashy. Contrast that with these two items worn by Gold Medalist Lloyd Butler at the 1948 Games. Butler wore this official U.S. Olympic rowing jersey during his team's stroke to victory in the Eight Oared Shell event. It can be photo-matched (Butler is 4th from right) to the attached original photograph that is part of Lot 60. The tasteful white cotton top has a red white and blue ribbon crossing from the right shoulder to the left waist. Navy blue trim runs around the neck and each arm. This simple yet elegant garment is completed with a U.S. Olympic Team shield patch sewn to the left chest. The jersey shows heavy use with the toning and staining you would expect to find on the actual jersey worn by an Olympic Gold Medalist in competition. There are several blue stains most noticeably on the front left chest and some small holes with staining surrounding the patch that has some fraying to the edges. A Lowe & Campbell Athletic Goods label is sewn inside the collar.

Accompanying this piece is Butler’s official Team USA practice-worn shirt. This white cotton t-shirt has “U.S.A. OLYMPIC TEAM” in simple navy blue collegiate block letters on the left chest. The shirt shows good use with light stains and toning throughout. Completing this uniform group is Butler’s U.S. Olympic Team-issued belt presumably worn at the 1948 London Opening Ceremonies. The thick fabric belt with leather strap has a red and white web constriction with a brass buckle. The white webbing shows medium staining and tone from use and age. Three super rare examples of Olympic uniform items from a time when less was not only more but much more attractive.