MEARS Online Auctions has launched its latest monthly event, featuring a 1977 Pete Maravich New Orleans Jazz warmup jacket, more than 80 game worn caps and game-used bats, including a 1925-28 Rogers Hornsby model, a 1977 Pete Rose gamer, a collection of 45 J. Edgar Hoover FBI letters and dozens of other pieces.
Memorabilia
The Pete Maravich warmup jacket is the star of the show. Obtained directly from the consignor who won it in a halftime contest while attending the the final game of the 1977 season, the jacket has already collected bids over $10,000. In true Pistol Pete fashi
on, Maravich wrapped up his season with a 45-point outburst in what was for the Jazz a meaningless game. It was his best NBA season from a scoring perspective. He averaged 31.1 per game.
Another item attracting attention in the auction is a 1977 Pete Rose game-used bat given to a young fan during a Reds-Dodgers NBC Game of the Week. The consignor has had it ever since.
“It was the Game of the Week with Tony Kubek and Joe Garagiola,” he wrote in a letter which accompanies the Adirondack stick. “I was 11 years old. Vin Scully, a friend of the family, took me out onto the field during batting practice and attempted to take a picture of Pete and me together, but the camera didn’t work. Pete came up to me from behind a few minutes later, tapped me on the shoulder, gave it to me and said ‘You didn’t get a picture, so here’s a bat. Never did me any damn good anyway!’ Pete had gone 0-4 the night before against Tommy John. Pete went on to hit 
.311 that year with 204 hits and was voted a NL All-star (for the 11th time…17 times in his career at 5 different positions). He also coincidentally ended that day at the .311 mark. I would have been more than happy for the picture to be my souvenir of the event, but a game used Pete Rose bat was even better.”
Current high bid on the bat was over $2,500 as of Wednesday night. Nap Lajoie and Tris Speaker bats are among the other bats up for bid.
Among the other pieces offered by MEARS: 1974 Vince Lombardi Open pinback button (ultra rare), 1987 Larry Names Green Bay Packers Hard Cover Books (vol.1, 2, 3, & 4); scarce 1950s Monte Irvin Coca Cola die cut full color advertising sign; 1964 “A Hard Day’s Night” Beatle Die Cut oversized full ticket; Johnny Logan for Sheriff full matchbook; Gem Mint Bob Gibson store model glove; 1936 Joe DiMaggio charcoal portrait poster (EX Estate Item); 1940/50/60s game worn MLB caps; HOF single signed baseballs, bats, &photos, all JSA Authenticated.
Cards & Sets
Highlights: 1933 Tattoo Orbit Jimmie Foxx (EX), 1934 Al DeMaree Die-Cuts 49 different, 1955 Spic& Span Warren Spahn Die-Cut (VG), 1957 Swift Meats Hank Aaron (assembled/EX), 1960 Milwaukee Braves Spic & Span Near Mint promotional hat w/ facsimile signatures), 1935 Goudeys, 1934 High Grade Butterfingers (15+) w/ Ruth, Foxx, Gehrig, 1936-37 Goudey Wide Pens (10+), 1958Winning Baseball by Eddie Mathews book, complete run of 1975-1990 Topps, Donruss, & Upper Deck sets, and over 51 storage tubs of baseball, football, and basketball cards.
Vintage Photography
Thousands of images from the John Rogers photo archives are featured in the sale. Many are sports related but MEARS has hand selected several Americana lots which capture early scenes of average America. Not the famous, these images capture cotton pickers, truck drivers, milk maids, soldiers, and policemen, doing the jobs which must be done.
MEARS reports that two major sports card companies will be purchasing product directly from the company for inclusion into their products and they have an immediate need for all sports collectibles, especially modern/vintage baseball, football, and basketball game worn and game-used items items. The company runs auctions each month.
To register or consign, visit MEARS Online Auctions, call (414)-828-9990 or email [email protected]
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