476 Lots Up For Grabs at GUU Auction |
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Monday, 09 November 2009 |
Dozens of game-worn and game-used items are on the block this week as GUU Auctions debuts its new website and biggest auction to date.
Bidding on Jim Brown's game-worn Syracuse helmet has topped $27,000, but GUU Auctions' current offerings include items for the more budget-minded collectors as well.
The Brown helmet is the only known surviving example from the remarkable college and pro football career of the Hall of Famer.
Another unique item is actually an “experience” as well as a tangible item. In cooperation with Reggie Jackson, GUU is offering the Baseball Hall of Famer’s very own 1967 Corvette Roadster 427 automobile. The winning bidder will be provided with a chance to meet Mr. October at his private car museum in California. Jackson will offer a personal tour and then hand the keys to the classic car over to its new owner. Bidding on the lot currently stands at over $36,000.
“We’re very privileged to have the Brown helmet and the Reggie Jackson experience in this auction, but many of the other game-used lots are headline-worthy too,” said GUU Auction Director Robert Harvell.
 GUU is offering hundreds of game-worn jerseys and memorabilia from all sports and levels. Many items are rare and attributed to well-known players, like the rare 1950s Jim Ringo Green Bay Packers jersey. It is one of only three known Packers blue-green durene style jerseys and its provenance comes directly from the Ringo family. The glory-years style and color is visible on Ringo's 1959 Topps football card.
Other NFL jerseys in the auction include those once donned by players such as retired greats Leroy Kelly, Norm Bulaich and Paul Krause and current stars Drew Brees, Tony Romo and Santonio Holmes.
 In addition to the chance to meet Reggie Jackson and buy one of his classic cars, collectors can also bid on a classic 1971 Oakland A’s game-worn vest-style Jackson jersey. There is also a bat used by Jackson during the 1973 World Series when he was named MVP, signed by the slugger.
Among the other game-worn baseball jerseys are a hoard of New York Yankees, some of which are from the team’s just-completed World Championship season. Included are jerseys worn by CC Sabathia, Andy Pettite and Mariano Rivera, plus other from Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson and Tony Gwynn.
There are numerous other Hall of Fame caliber game-used bats including a 1946-47 Ted Williams professional model and others from Al Kaline, Mike Schmidt, Don Mattingly and Frank Robinson.
Game used collectors can choose from helmets, caps, jackets, cleats, gloves, baseballs, bases and even cleats. There are college and professional items sprinkled throughout. The company believes its motto, “integrity before profits”, means collectors can bid with the assurance that the offered item is the real deal, with proper provenance.
 “Problems with authenticity continue to plague the sports memorabilia industry,” said GUU Auctions CEO Christopher Cavalier. “But we’re committed to making a difference, committed to changing the landscape, which is why we’re so excited to see so many collectors gravitating to our auctions and website. Collectors are tired of not really knowing that what they’re seeing in some venues is what's being portrayed and they want a trustworthy place to spend their money. We feel we're that place and it appears more and more collectors are agreeing."
Card collectors will find a few gems here too including a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle—the most popular card of the post-War era and an 1887 Allen & Ginter Cap Anson among others.
GUU prides itself on an honest bidding system that allows no shill bidding, secret reserves or bidding on behalf of consignors. Only the bidder, not GUU Auctions, is privy to the bidder's max bid.
“This auction has been built to appeal to collectors of all kinds at all price levels,” Harvell said. “There are some items that may sell for $100 and others that will appeal primarily to the most sophisticated and demanding collectors. No matter what your budget, though, I think our catalog is one that everyone will really get a kick out of looking at. There are just a lot of really unique, fun things that collectors can have a shot at owning.”
A portion of the proceeds from the auction will be given to the Bridge Teen Center in Chicago, a nonprofit community center for teenagers in the south suburbs of Chicago. The Bridge exists to help in times of pressure, positively impact the choices teens are making, and give young people a safe place where they can interact with positive adult mentors. Programs are designed around the interests and needs of the average suburban teenager, and help students develop mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually in a safe environment.
Bidders can register by phone (925.552.8023) or online at GUUAuctions.com, where a full-color catalog is available for viewing. |
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