Michael Jordan Memorabilia to be offered at September 17th Basketball Auction in Chicago
Hunt Auctions, an 18-year veteran of the sports memorabilia auction industry, in conjunction with Upper Deck Authenticated, will offer Michael Jordan’s personal collection of golf clubs, bags, and other related accessories as part of a 300-plus lot basketball auction to be held live on September 17, 2009 at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago.
The items in Michael Jordan’s 50+ lot collection represent his substantial time on the golf course. While not every piece of equipment was employed by the basketball legend, some golf clubs and bags show substantial use. Expected to fetch $30,000-$40,000, the group is being sold to benefit the James Jordan Foundation.
“An iconic athlete’s personal ephemera is always a huge draw for bidders,” said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions. “We’re thrilled to be offering such a unique collection for both Michael Jordan and golf enthusiasts alike.”
Also up for auction is a private collection of Michael Jordan memorabilia that includes several significant pieces, including a selection of items from the famed 1992 USA Olympic Basketball “Dream Team”. Of particular interest is Jordan’s warm up jacket from the 1992 games in Barcelona estimated at $4,000-$5,000. The 125-lot collection is offered for the first time publicly with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the James Jordan Foundation.
Additional items up for bid include a pair of Nike sneakers LeBron James wore and inscribed in tribute to President Barack Obama. The sneakers, which read, “44th President Barack Obama,” across the front, were worn during a game on January 23, 2009.
Highlights of the basketball auction include:
– 1992-93 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls professional model home jersey (est. $10,000-$15,000)
– Michael Jordan autographed 1992 Nike USA Olympic warm up jacket ($4,000-$5,000)
– 1992 Michael Jordan USA Olympic Basketball Team Identification badge ($3,000-$4,000)
– Michael Jordan autographed personal golf bag ($2,000-$3,000)
– LeBron James game worn basketball sneakers with handwritten tribute inscription to President Obama ($5,000-$7,500)
– Rare Barack Obama autographed basketball. ($2,000-$3,000)
A preview exhibition will run Tuesday, September 15th thru Thursday, September 17th at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Complimentary appraisals of sports memorabilia will be available for visitors. Bids are accepted live at the auction, via phone at 610-524-0822, or at www.HuntAuctions.com.
Source: Hunt Auctions
President Elect Barack Obama Bowling Lane Goes Up for Auction
Altoona based bowling center offers chance to own a piece of history to help the Special Olympics
“My economic plan is better than my bowling,” President Elect Barack Obama told fellow bowlers on a Saturday evening at the Pleasant Valley Recreation Center. This statement came after Obama bowled a gutter ball that would make him one of the most infamous bowlers in recent political history.
On March 29, 2008, Obama spent 2 hours at the bowling center talking with the public as part of a face-to-face “Road to Change” bus tour through Pennsylvania, and bowling — 7 frames.
Obama bowling on lane #21 of the Pleasant Valley Recreation Center quickly became the most televised portion of his campaign — his bowling “highlights” appeared on Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, The Today Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Comedy Central and many others.
Now, co-owners Jean Montgomery and Bob DiVentura are putting Lane 21 up for sale through an online auction on Ebay, beginning November 13 and ending November 23 at 9:00 PM EST. “We are offering this piece of history to the lucky bidder,” said Montgomery. “It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the most talked-about bowling lanes in political history.”
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Special Olympics. “We are proud to have donated the use of our bowling center to the Special Olympics for many years,” said Montgomery. “This will allow us to contribute additional funds to the organization.”
Not only are they offering lane #21, but also the neighboring lane (#22), the gutters, 2 pin setters, computer scoring system, and the bowling circle complete with the chairs sat on by Obama. “We’ll even throw in the shoes and bowling ball that Obama used,” said DiVentura.
The fully functional lane will be disassembled, shipped, and reassembled at the location of the buyer’s choice. “It is a true collector’s item that the buyer can be sure no one else can claim a duplicate,” said DiVentura.
For more information, please visit http://www.obamabowling.com/
* Pleasant Valley Recreation Center (Altoona, PA) was established in 1948. Family owned and operated, the business has hosted several national and state tournaments over its 60 year history.
Source: Pleasant Valley Recreation Center