A pair of Michael Jordan 1985 game-worn Air Jordan I rookie era sneakers and a rare 1916 M101-5 Blank Back #151 Babe Ruth rookie card highlight the newly launched Lelands 2022 Spring Classic Auction.
According to Lelands, Jordan wore the shoes either during the second half of his 1984-85 rookie season, the start of the 1985-86 season, or both.
The shoes originated with Carol Couch, owner of the Judge Café, a popular spot for the Utah Jazz during the 1980s. Jazz assistant coach Jerry Sloan was a customer of the Judge Cafe and knew that Carol Couch collected game worn NBA sneakers and was able to acquire them for her. Family members have consigned them to the auction.
The Ruth card is graded SGC 1.5 for corner wear and creasing. As of early Monday afternoon, bidding had topped $73,000.
The auction also boasts a 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket #144 Tom Brady Rookie Autograph card graded BGS 7 (10 auto) that carries a $250,000 minimum bid.
Other top items include a LeBron James 75th anniversary “City Edition” game-worn jersey worn earlier this season, and a Jordan Signed 1986 Fleer rookie card.
Additional auction centerpieces include a 2012 Jimmy Butler National Treasures 1/1 Logoman Auto BGS 9.5, a 2020 Justin Herbert Contenders Optic 1/1 Gold Vinyl Rookie Auto PSA 8, a Steph Curry 2009 National Treasures RPA from 2015 Panini Replay, a 1998 Kobe Bryant Precious Metal Gems /50 BGS 9, a Wilt Chamberlain 100-point game ticket, and the Chris Paul 2005-06 SP Authentic Rookie 1/1 Logoman autographed card.
The auction also features Tiger Woods signed badges from all five of his Masters victories, a 2022 Steph Curry photo-matched game-worn jersey, a 2020 Topps Dynasty F1 Lewis Hamilton Triple Patch Auto PSA 10, a 2021 Absolute Kaboom Tom Brady Gold PSA 10, and a 1925-28 Ty Cobb game-used bat.
Also up for bid are the shoes Kris Jenkins wore when he hit the dramatic buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift Villanova past North Carolina in the 2016 NCAA Men’s National Championship Game, a “Deflategate” game-used football and Tom Brady’s TD pass football to Mike Evans for Evans’ 71st career TD – tying the Buccaneers all-time TD record.
Additional auction highlights include:
- The 1906 Sir Huon Kentucky Derby gold watch awarded to the winning jockey
- Jan van Breda Kolff’s personal collection
- #1 Muhammad Ali Ticket Collection on PSA’s Registry
- An 1894 Temple Cup Print by Hy Sandham
- A 1903 Carl Horner American League Composite Display Photograph
- Freddie Freeman’s 2021 World Series Game 5 home run baseball
- A meet-and-greet with Celtics legend Bob Cousy with proceeds benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass & MetroWest.
Bidding continues through June 11 at Lelands.com.