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
Recession Fouls Basketball Superstar – A Player’s Loss is Collectors Gain
There are times when a team transcends the game and steps over the boundaries of the sports pages and into the consciousness of a nation.
It could be argued that the Chicago Bulls during the mid 1990′s was such a team – so well known that even people who never opened an issue of Sports Illustrated could name the starting lineup.
The “repeat the three-peat” wins of the NBA finals of ’96, ’97, and ’98 created a cadre of basketball superstars and characters and set the bar at a new high for the next generation of players. Now a little piece of that victory is up on the auction block. In a testament to the far reach of the recession, former Bulls guard and assistant coach to the Sacramento Kings, Randy Brown, has declared bankruptcy, and his three championship rings will be for sale to the highest bidder via online auction at WestAuction.com.
The Chicago Bulls of the mid ’90s has been considered one of the best teams ever to set foot on a court, and Brown’s role – both as guard and as a team player – was integral. Brown, who made a name for himself in Sacramento as a solid and hard-working assistant coach to the Kings, was well liked by players and fans alike. His focus and ability to help players get the most out of their training was a mainstay during the team’s recent trouble and instability.
Yet these hard financial times have impacted everyone, and Brown is no exception. “It’s a tough situation,” says Dennis West, of West Auctions, the company charged with auctioning the rings. “Randy seems like a really good guy, and he was a great player. However, these are tough times for a lot of people from a variety of backgrounds. People are making difficult financial decisions, and for some that means bankruptcy.” With bankruptcy rates rising rapidly across the nation, you can expect many more auctions in the future.
Brown’s three championship rings are expected to hit the auction block at WestAuction.com on May 19. The bid will start at $19,000 – a bargain in the world of sports collectables.
For more information visit http://www.westauction.com/.