SCP Auctions’ 2017 Winter Premier online auction is now underway and runs through Saturday, Jan. 21, at SCP Auctions. Coveted items from the family of Babe Ruth, along with cherished pieces from the Vince Lombardi and George Blanda families lead the way in this New Year’s auction that includes 1,021 outstanding lots. Other top lots include 1992 “Dream Team” memorabilia from Christian Laettner; James J. Braddock’s 1935 heavyweight championship belt; a pair of Rocky Marciano’s bout-worn boxing gloves from his 1953 heavyweight title defense versus Jersey Joe Walcott; a Joe DiMaggio game-used bat from the 1947 World Series; and a 1967 Roger Maris St. Louis Cardinals game-worn jersey from the Redbirds’ World Series championship season that’s been graded A9 by MEARS.
Babe Ruth Family Heirlooms
SCP Auctions is pleased to announce that it has secured four incredibly rare, never-before-offered at auction items directly from the family of Babe Ruth. The first piece is a one-of-a-kind, custom-made “NEW YORK” flannel uniform manufactured by A.G. Spalding & Bros. that Ruth wore in 1938 at several stops to help promote the 1939-40 New York World’s Fair. The second item, a beautiful, hand-crafted baseball-themed wooden chest, was awarded to Ruth in 1930 following the New York Yankees 1929 exhibition visit to Sing Sing Prison in Ossining, New York. The third item is a beautifully crafted, hand-carved wooden folk art statue of Ruth from 1933 that stands 22” tall on a base that measures 7.5” wide by 7.5” deep. The final item is a personal scrapbook that was created for Ruth by noted sports agent Christy Walsh in the early 1920’s. Collection Estimate: $350,000+.
The Vince Lombardi Collection
Collectors will now have a chance to own a piece of Vince Lombardi’s legacy by bidding on some of the man’s most coveted pieces including his 1956 New York Giants World Champions 10K gold ring. 
Each of the items were consigned directly to SCP Auctions by Vince Lombardi Jr., the coach’s only son. Six additional lots from Lombardi’s prolific career will go up for bid including a Patek Philippe wristwatch that was presented to Lombardi on “George Halas Night” (Sept. 25, 1968) by the Chicago Athletic Association; a specially designed Bishop’s Charities Game (Packers vs. Giants, Aug. 10, 1968) Bulova wristwatch; a 1960’S Green Bay Packers World Champions 14K gold & diamond cuff link; and a 1961 congratulatory telegram from United States President John F. Kennedy.
The George Blanda Collection
The prestigious George Blanda Collection is headlined by three incredible AFL Championship rings from the late Hall of Famer’s career (1960 and ’61 with the Houston Oilers, and 1967 with the Oakland Raiders), along with dozens of prestigious awards including 1970 and ’74 NFL Man of the Year honors, and several milestone game balls going back to his college football days at the University of Kentucky. All items offered come directly from his family.
The Christian Laettner Collection
More than two dozen lots chronicling Laettner’s prolific college basketball career at Duke and run with the 1992 U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball “Dream Team” will go up for bid including his 1992 Naismith College Player of the Year Trophy; a pair of NCAA Final Four rings he earned during his freshman (1989) and sophomore (’90) seasons, respectively; his signed and inscribed 1989-92 Duke Blue Devils game worn shooting shirt; his signed and inscribed 1992 USA Olympic “Dream Team” game-worn warm-up suit; and a ’92 Dream Team multi-signed Official Molten Barcelona Olympic Basketball sporting 18 signatures including all players and coaches.
1947 Joe DiMaggio H&B Professional Model Bat Used in 1947 World Series (MEARS A10, PSA/DNA GU 10)
In 1947 the New York Yankees road to the World Championship went through Brooklyn. The subway series pitted New York led by A.L. MVP Joe DiMaggio against Brooklyn and a rookie named Jackie Robinson. The Yankees prevailed in seven games with DiMaggio hitting home runs in games 3 and 5. Offered here is Joe DiMaggio’s beautiful Hillerich & Bradsby model D29L professional model bat from that historic series. Estimate: $150,000+.
James J. Braddock’s 1935 Ring Magazine Heavyweight Championship Belt
On June 13, 1935, James J. Braddock (the “Cinderella Man”) defeated heavily-favored Max Baer at Madison Square Garden to win the World Heavyweight title. At the time, it was called “the greatest fistic upset since the defeat of John L. Sullivan by Jim Corbett.” It is still considered by many the biggest upset in boxing history. The Ring Magazine presented Braddock with this very Heavyweight Championship belt to honor the epic victory, one that completed a miraculous career comeback for the local working class fighter from Hell’s Kitchen dubbed the “Cinderella Man” by New York newspaper columnist Damon Runyon. Estimate: $60,000+.
Bidding is open to registered bidders only and concludes on Saturday, Jan. 21. The auction will be conducted online at SCP Auctions. -Terry Melia
