The only known ring from the 1919 Black Sox World Series scandal, a bat used by Yankees legend Lou Gehrig, boxing great Floyd Patterson’s personal collection, including his coveted Ring Magazine Championship Belt and a fight-worn robe, and hockey great Guy Lafleur’s 1976-77 Hart Memorial Trophy are among the one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia being offered as part of the Lelands.com Spring 2013 Catalog Auction.
(Update 6/29/13: The ring sold for $198,492 including a 19.5% buyer’s premium).
The auction also includes a rare 1969 Hank Aaron game-worn jersey, artwork by former NFL player and the greatest African-American sports artist Ernie Barnes, Pat Riley’s 1964-65 game-worn University of Kentucky jersey, and a 1943 Negro League champion Homestead Grays team signed ball with Josh Gibson.
The ring was presented to Pat Moran, manager of the Cincinnati Reds team that beat the ‘Black Sox’ in the ’19 World Series. According to the auction house, it came from family member John Moran, who gave it to his milkman in the town where Pat Moran was born: West Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It has been in the possession of the milkman’s son, who has had it for 50 years. It’s described as being in near mint condition with the original diamond. Lelands says it has never previously sold and fresh to the market. The current bid stands at $33,275.
A 1919 World Series pin was sold via Robert Edward Auctions a couple of years ago.
The catalog also includes vintage Rock & Roll memorabilia, including a Plaza Hotel postcard autographed by all four members of The Beatles during their first-ever trip to the United States in 1964.
“This is one of the greatest assemblages of sports memorabilia in the 30 plus years that we’ve been running sports auctions,” said Lelands.com Founder and Chairman Joshua Evans.
Other highlights from the Lelands.com auction include:
Baseball
Mantle and Maris Photo Inscribed by Mantle to Maris in 1961 (Reserve $1,000+)
1937-40 Mel Ott Game Used Bat (Reserve: $10,000+)
1941 Bill Dickey Game Used Bat (Reserve: $5,000+)
Stan Musial’s 1959 Louisville Slugger All-Star Game Bat (Reserve: $5,000+)
1887 George Tebeau Cincinnati Baseball Club Trophy Bat (Reserve: $2,000+)
Roberto Clemente Game Used Baseball Bat (Reserve: $2,000+)
1941 Lefty Gomez NY Yankees Game Used Home Pinstripe Jersey (Reserve: $5,000+)
1978 Art Fowler New York Yankees World Championship Ring (Reserve: $5,000+)
Rickey Henderson 1127th Stolen Base (Reserve: $1,000+)
2004-2005 Ichiro Suzuki Game Used Bat (Reserve: $500+)
1968 Carl Yastrzemski Game Used Bat with Provenance (Reserve: $500+)
1996 Olympic Torch Run Used Torch Signed by Muhammad Ali (Reserve: $1,500+)
Basketball
Important Sterling Silver Tray Given By The 1946-47 Knicks To Ossie Schectman (Reserve: $5,000+)
The Ceremonial First Ball in Miami Heat History (Reserve: $1,000+)
1974 Boston Celtics World Championship Ring (Reserve: $2,000+)
Football
“We Love Our Team” Oil on Canvas by former NFL/AFL player Ernie Barnes (Reserve: $2,500+)
“Joe Willie Namath” Vintage Signed Super Bowl III Program (Reserve: $100+)