Hundreds of pieces of sports memorabilia are hitting the auction block Wednesday via SCP Auctions’ Fall Catalog. Among the headliners are a pair of Michael Jordan’s 1984 Summer Olympics game-worn and dual signed Converse shoes, two Olympic medals won by U.S.sprinter Jim Hines during the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Wilt Chamberlain’s 1971 NBA All-Star Game jersey, numerous items from the recently closed San Diego Hall of Champions as well as select items from late Baseball Hall of Famer Mel Ott’s personal collection and one of collecting’s rarest baseball cards—a T206 Ty Cobb with the Cobb Tobacco advertising back.
Michael Jordan 1984 Olympics game-worn, autographed shoes
One of only two pairs of Converse sneakers worn by Jordan during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games Tournament held at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., the shoes are expected to sell for $50,000 or more. They represent the second to last pair Jordan wore as an amateur and pre-date his long-running contract with Nike.
The shoes Jordan wore in the final game of the ’84 tournament sold for a record $190,372 in June. That pair was gifted to Gail Goodrich’s son, who served as a ball boy. The shoes being offered in SCP’s current sale were given to the other ball boy who worked alongside the young Goodrich. The two remain good friends to this day.
Mel Ott Collection
Eight different lots from Ott’s personal collection are up for bid, with each item accompanied by a letter from the Ott Family. A longtime right fielder for the New York Giants, Ott played a total of 22 seasons (1926 to 1947). The top item is his 1948 New York Giants game worn uniform from his final season of managing in the major leagues. The uniform, including jersey, pants and stirrups, was on loan to the Baseball Hall of Fame from 2013 to 2016 and comes with documentation of its time on display at Cooperstown.
Other lots include his 1938 All-America Board of Baseball sweater; a pair of circa 1940 game-worn cleats; a pair of 1950 game worn road pants from his coaching days with the Giants; and his 1958 American League season pass in its original brown leather case.
San Diego Hall of Champions Collection
One of the largest – and heaviest – items featured in the auction is an exact copy of the famed “Rocky” bronze statue that was featured in “Rocky III”.
The statue’s presentation includes a large, engraved gold plaque that references its creation in 1980 and loan to the San Diego Hall of Champions from owner Robert Breitbard.
“The statue is a masterpiece,” said SCP Auctions’ President David Kohler. “It’s 12-feet tall and weighs 1800 pounds. It’s actually one of three identical examples created by sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg including the one that was featured in the 1982 film ‘Rocky III’ that resides outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art.”
The statue in Philadelphia is numbered 1 in the series and is seen by over one million people per year. The one in the auction is number 2.
It’s believed the statue could sell for $500,000 or more.
Among some of the other lots being offered are dozens of prestigious horse-racing trophies from the massive Eugene V. Klein Collection including the 1985 Preakness Stakes Championship Trophy, known as “The Woodlawn Vase” which was won by “Tank’s Prospect,” a three-year-old stallion that was owned by the late Klein, who was the former owner of the San Diego Chargers from 1966 to ‘84.
Key Chargers items include the team’s MVP award that covers more than three decades of play (1961 to ’92); its “Lineman of the Year” honors from 1971 to ’92; and its “Charger of the Year” trophy (1969 to ’75).
Milestone mementoes from the late Baseball Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn are being auctioned as well including one of his Gold Glove awards, his signed and notated 2,915th hit baseball and a game worn and signed uniform from career hit No. 2,919.
T206 Cobb Back
The T206 Ty Cobb with “Ty Cobb” back has long been recognized as one of card collecting’s greatest rarities. It is considerably rarer than the famous Honus Wagner card from the same set; approximately 70 T206 Honus Wagners are known to exist relative to approximately 23 Ty Cobb with “Ty Cobb” back examples.
A previously unknown T206 Ty Cobb with “Ty Cobb” back being offered in the auction was discovered by a Georgia family while cleaning out their late father’s home and will likely bring $150,000 or more.
Registered bidders can participate at www.scpauctions.com beginning on Wed., Oct. 18, with the auction closing on Sat., Nov. 4. For more information, call 949-831-3700 or visit www.scpauctions.com.
Related Stories:
Autographed, Game-Worn Rookie Year Jordan Shoes Sell for $420,000
T206 Wagner, Plank, Cobb with Cobb Back Set for Same Auction
Historic Game-Used Items; Rare T206 Cobb Top $9.3 Million Heritage Auction
Rocky Statue, Vintage Basketball Jerseys Tops at SCP Auctions Sale
MJ’s Utah Smack Talk Shoes Were Gift to Ball Boy
San Diego Hall of Champions Museum Collection in SCP Auctions Fall Offering
Mel Ott Family Consigns Game-Used Memorabilia to SCP Auctions
1934-36 Batter Up Cards Offer Unique Challenges
