The glove and cleats worn by Bill Buckner when his error helped the New York Mets win Game 6 of the 1986 World Series are among the items in Goldin Auctions’ newly launched October Legends Auction.
Buckner was wearing the high top cleats and using the MacGregor first baseman’s glove when Mookie Wilson’s ground ball bounced past him, enabling Ray Knight to score the winning run in Game 6 at Shea Stadium. The Mets then won Game 7 to win the series.
The minimum bid is $25,000.
The glove was originally gifted by Buckner to famed collector Barry Halper, and the back of the fingers are signed “To My Pal Barry, Best Wishes Bill Buckner”. The glove comes with a letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA while the cleats include a full LOA from MEARS.
Over 1,500 lots of sports, history, pop-culture and entertainment memorabilia are in the auction.
Other unique baseball items include a 1956 Stan Musial game-used and signed Cardinals home jersey – the finest one known (MEARS A10 PSA/DNA); a complete collection (1923-2009) of 27 NY Yankees World Series clinching game tickets – all encapsulated and graded by PSA; the bat and ball from Alex Rodriguez HR #536 – the 2008 home run that tied him with Mickey Mantle with the ball signed and inscribed by A-Rod; a game-used, signed and inscribed 1976 World Series catcher’s mitt from Johnny Bench, who would earn MVP honors for the series; a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card SGC 84 NM7 and a 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card PSA 8 NM-MT.
Several lots from the personal collection of legendary basketball figure Eddie Gottlieb are also in the catalog. The most prominent item is Wilt Chamberlain’s fully executed 1960-61 NBA contract in which the young star was paid $50,000 by the Philadelphia Warriors. Signed by both Gottlieb, the team owner, and Chamberlain, it comes with a full LOA from PSA/DNA.
Other basketball items include: Kobe Bryant’s 2011-12 protective face-mask he wore for four games to protect his broken nose; and a trio of items from Michael Jordan including a pair of game-used and signed MJ rookie season (1984-85) Nike sneakers; a Jordan 1997-98 game-worn and signed Bulls black toad jersey worn on Nov. 7, 1997 versus the Atlanta Hawks, and Jordan’s 1981-82 UNC varsity basketball certificate signed by Dean Smith; a 1986-87 Fleer basketball signed complete set of 132 cards plus a complete 11-card sticker set – all PSA/DNA authentic; and a 1997-98 Tim Duncan rookie season game worn and photo matched Spurs black road jersey.
The most historic sports-related item in the auction is a hand-written proposal for the modern Olympic games written by Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The museum-quality document, which has been authenticated by PSA/DNA became the blueprint for the modern Olympic Games.
Though the Baron envisioned the first games to be held in Paris in 1900, his proposal caught the imagination of the public and the modern Olympics were launched four years earlier than planned in Athens in 1896. Measuring approximately 8″ x 10″, the folded double-sided document was handwritten and signed by de Coubertin and dated 30 January 1894. A grey embossed “Comite International Olympique 1894” stamp has been affixed to the lower portion of the last page.
Historic and entertainment memorabilia on the block include JFK’s rocking chair from Air Force One and several lots from the late rap and hip-hop artist Tupac Shakur.
“This auction is unquestionably the most unique and eclectic auction we have ever conducted and no matter what you collect there is something here for you,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “In addition to a great assortment of rare historical artifacts that are being offered at auction for the first-time, we have also assembled one of our deepest offerings of sports trading cards and game used memorabilia.”
Bidding runs through October 29 at GoldinAuctions.com.