SCP Auctions’ “Spring Premier” is now underway and runs through Saturday, April 25, at www.scpauctions.com. Top lots include Michael Jordan’s 1984 game-worn and autographed Nike Air shoes, Jimmie Foxx’s 1934 U.S. Tour of Japan uniform and 1933 American League MVP Award, John Wooden’s circa 1970’s UCLA Basketball Coach’s Jacket, and Mickey Mantle’s 1952 New York Yankees game-worn and autographed home jersey. Player and estate collections abound as well in this online auction as the personal memorabilia of the late Tony Gwynn, along with NFL Hall of Famer Rod Woodson and 1972 World Series MVP Gene Tenace are also being featured. Part 3 of the esteemed Delbert Mickel Estate Collection of important baseball jerseys is also among the highlights.
Michael Jordan’s 1984 Autographed and Game-Worn Nike Air Shoes
An extremely rare pair of autographed and game-used Nike Air shoes worn by arguably the NBA’s greatest player ever have surfaced from Michael Jordan’s 1984-85 rookie campaign with the Chicago Bulls. This pair was worn by “His Airness” in an away game versus the Los Angeles Lakers at The Fabulous Forum on Dec. 2, 1984, just prior to the official unveiling of Jordan’s first line of Nike Air Jordans. The pair, believed to be the earliest Jordan professional game worn shoes known, has been in the possession of a former Lakers ball boy for the past three decades. His name is Khalid Ali, and believe it or not, as a 15-year-old ball boy he had the tenacity to walk up to Michael Jordan during the Bulls pregame warm-ups and literally ask him for the shoes. The shoes are estimated to sell for more than $50,000.
Jimmie Foxx’s 1934 U.S. Tour of Japan Uniform and 1933 A.L. MVP Award Plaque
In 1934, an exhibition tour in the “Land of the Rising Sun” featured a collection of the best baseball talent the world had ever seen with the heralded American major leaguers playing a series of games against Japanese college all-stars. Presented here for the first time publicly is one of the most significant artifacts to surface from that historic 1934 sojourn. This is the actual full flannel uniform that then-Philadelphia Athletics star Jimmie Foxx wore throughout the Tour. It could sell for more than $500,000. In addition, Foxx’s 1933 A.L. MVP Award plaque is being offered. Though his team finished just third in the A.L. standings that season, Foxx led the league in batting average (.356), home runs (48) and RBI (163) to earn his first and only Triple Crown and second straight A.L. MVP award. It’s expected to sell for more than $300,000.
John Wooden’s C. 1970s UCLA Basketball Coach’s Jacket
The late John Wooden produced 27 straight winning campaigns for the UCLA Bruins, compiling an incredible record of 620-147. As UCLA’s head coach he won 10 NCAA national championships in a 12-year period, including an unprecedented seven in a row from 1967 to ‘73. Within that time-frame, his teams won a record 88 straight games, which remains an NCAA basketball record. SCP Auctions is proud to present his circa 1970s UCLA Basketball Coach’s Jacket in its upcoming Spring Premier. Worn by Wooden during his later years at the helm, it’s a treasured piece of college basketball memorabilia from one of the greatest coaches in history. The jacket is expected to fetch upwards of $100,000.
Mickey Mantle’s 1952 New York Yankees Autographed and Game-Worn Home Jersey
In 1952, one year removed from a bumpy injury marred rookie season, Mantle began to emerge from the shadow of a now-retired Joe DiMaggio and earned his first of 14 consecutive All-Star nods as he hit .300 and belted 23 home runs. The jersey is breathtaking in its presentation, enhanced all the more by the bold, oversized vintage Mantle autograph on the front left tail. Is difficult to overstate the magnitude of a signed and game-worn Mickey Mantle Yankees home jersey from 1952, however we feel safe in classifying it among the finest artifacts known from arguably the most beloved figure in modern baseball history. The jersey will likely sell for more than $200,000.
The Tony Gwynn Estate Collection
The late Hall of Famer’s coveted lineup of baseball heirlooms and mementoes encompasses more than 100 lots. It features many of Gwynn’s most prominent items including several MLB All-Star Game rings, a pair of Silver Slugger batting awards, a multitude of game-used baseballs chronicling milestone hits during his 20-year career with the San Diego Padres, as well as dozens of personalized keepsakes that Gwynn received from fellow athletes and coaches covering all realms of sport. A portion of the Tony Gwynn Estate Collection auction proceeds will go toward benefitting the Tony and Alicia Gwynn Foundation (www.tagwynn.org), a non-profit based in San Diego they founded in 1995.
The Rod Woodson Collection
The NFL Hall of Fame defensive back’s coveted lineup of game-used jerseys, AFC Championship rings and multitude of accolades and trophies comprises nearly 70 lots. Woodson’s 2009 Hall of Fame 14K gold ring, various MVP awards and his NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team trophy top the list.
The Gene Tenace Collection
Boasting more than 50 lots covering many of Tenace’s career highlights, the collection includes game-used milestone baseballs, his 1972 Full-size World Series trophy, four World Series rings (two each as a player and coach) and his coveted 1972 World Series MVP plaque.
The Delbert Mickel Estate Collection – Part 3
The late A. Delbert Mickel was the curator of one of the finest personal collections of game-worn baseball jerseys in the world. Driven by his unbridled love for the game, Delbert’s interest in acquiring the finest quality baseball jerseys from some of the game’s greatest legends, preceded the evolution of the modern, large-scale memorabilia market by decades. His standards for quality and authenticity created an invaluable and lasting pedigree that endures with every jersey that ever qualified for inclusion in his esteemed collection including:
• 1963 Stan Musial St. Louis Cardinals Home Jersey and Pants (MEARS A10)
• 1967 Steve Carlton St. Louis Cardinals Game Worn Road Jersey (MEARS A9)
• 1969 Brooks Robinson Autographed Baltimore Orioles Game Worn Road Jersey (MEARS A9.5)
• 1970 Al Kaline Detroit Tigers Game Worn Home Jersey(MEARS A9.5)
• 1973 Hank Aaron Atlanta Braves Game Worn Home Jersey and (1974) Pants (MEARS A10)
• 1958 Robin Roberts Philadelphia Phillies Game Worn Road Jersey (MEARS A10)
• 1963 Curt Flood St. Louis Cardinals Game Worn Home Jersey (MEARS A10)
Bidding will open to registered bidders on Wednesday, April 8 and conclude Saturday, April 25. The auction will be conducted online at www.SCPAuctions.com. For more information on how to participate, visit www.scpauctions.com or call (949) 831-3700.
World Series titles. He won one more World Series ring as a player with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982 when he helped them beat the Milwaukee Brewers in a tight, seven-game series.