Ruth, Aaron, Ali, Armstrong and even Lincoln can be found in Iconic Memorabilia’s Summer 2009 auction, now heading toward the finish line.
If it’s true that man can’t live by sports alone, Abe Lincoln and the first man on the moon are pretty good companions.
While sports is the focal point of the auction launched recently by Iconic Memorabilia, collectors will also find some rare, historic pieces from politics, history and entertainment in the mix.
Even some that are a little more personal in nature like an old driver’s license for the Henry Aaron collector who thought he had everything.
Iconic’s Principal Managing Officer Jeff Woolf, who ran a successful entertainment memorabilia auction house in the early part of the decade, has made it his mission to make Iconic auction offerings as diverse as possible. “I love historically significant pieces such as documents and game used memorabilia,” says Woolf, “But I’m equally intrigued by pop culture. Where else can you win a Babe Ruth signed baseball and a trip to the Playboy mansion in the same auction? Every one of our auctions offer a unique perspective on collecting, and that’s the way I like it.”
Highlights for the sale include:
-Muhammad Ali Rare Signed Unused 1960 Rome Olympics Boxing Ticket.
A full ticket ticket to the September 1, 1960 boxing matches of the 1960 Rome Olympics which featured a young Cassius Clay of Louisville, Kentucky defeating the 1956 gold medalist, USSR’s Gennardi Shatkov in a three round unanimous decision to advance to the finals and inevitably win the gold medal in the Light Heavyweight Division. Measuring 8.75" x 3.75", the ticket stands in superb condition and bears a contemporary black ink signature from Ali on the front. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA).
-Abraham Lincoln Signed Military Commission c. 1862 (JSA).
As the American Civil War raged across the country, President Abraham Lincoln affixed his name to this 15.75” x 19.25” military commission appointing Francis O. Wyse as Major in the Fourth Regiment of Artillery. An accomplished military man who would prove an important asset to the Union during the Civil War, Wyse fought 
in the Mexican War, the Indian Wars in the South, and against the Indians on the Pacific Coast during the early part of his career. The 16th President of the United States meticulously executed his full-name, “Abraham Lincoln” signature just below the partly printed text. His Secretary of War countersigned the vellum document, adding “Edwin M. Stanton” beside the President’s flowing signature. This covenant between appointee and Commander in Chief exhibits fine display properties (intersecting folds to the periphery), and its embossed, blue paper seal remains fully intact. Lincoln’s signature is strongly penned. Housed in a high quality framed display, measuring 25” x 28” overall. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA).
-Hank Aaron’s Actual 1970’s Drivers License 
Original Hank Aaron drivers license from the era where Hank Aaron became the Home Run king (steroid free, might we add). The license is in good shape, a bit worn from being in Aaron’s wallet. The license comes with the customary facsimile signatures of Aaron and governor at the time, Jimmy Carter. The Georgia Motor Vehicle License states Aaron’s birthday as February 5th, 1934 and expires on his birthday in 1977 carrying his Georgia address as 215 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia. A young Aaron is pictured on the one-of-a- kind item. Housed in a 14.5" x 17" x 3.5" box framed display.
-1939 NY Yankees (W.S. Champs) Team Signed Baseball w/Gehrig, DiMaggio (+Ted Williams)(JSA).
Pictured at the top of this page, the heavily toned baseball is hand signed by nine key members of the 1939 World Series Championship Yankees lineup along with a rookie era signature from the Splendid Splinter himself, Ted Williams. Headed up by Lou Gehrig along the side panel, other key signers include Joe Cronin, Red Ruffing, Lefty Gomez, Joe DiMaggio, Babe Dahlgren and Joe Gallagher, along with a signature from the Red Sox rookie sensation, Ted Williams. Given the mix of signatures, the baseball was likely signed during Spring Training prior to the 1939 season.
– Apollo 11: Neil Armstrong Desirable Signed NASA Letter from 1969
Highly desirable typed letter signed, drafted just months after Armstrong took "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." One page, 8" x 10.5", NASA letterhead, November 10, 1969. Letter of thanks to the Ryan Aircraft Historian. In full, ‘Please accept my warm appreciation for your thoughtfulness in sending me the two copies of Air Trails from your own personal set. It was certainly kind of you to go to all this trouble for me and I appreciate your graciousness.’ Signed at the conclusion with a bold and arguably perfect "10" black ink signature. Well preserved and in superb condition. Letters from Armstrong on NASA letterhead are extraordinarily scarce, and letters dated in he same year as his historic first moonwalk are the pinnacle of Armstrong memorabilia. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Other prominent items featured in the sale include:
– 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan RC (#57) PSA Graded Mint 9!
– Arnold Palmer Rare Course Used & Signed Golf Glove Display w/Great Provenance
– Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky Dual Signed OML Baseball
– Tiger Woods Rare Signed Course Used Medinah Country Club Pin Flag (UDA)
– (Disneyland) Original Oak Doors from Disneyland’s City Hall
– The Beatles: Superb Vintage Signed Album Page Set (c.1960s)
– Martin Luther King Jr. Ultra Rare Vintage Ink Signature (PSA/DNA)
– 1987-88 Los Angeles Lakers (World Champs) Team Signed Lakers Floorboard in Custom Framed Display
– Babe Ruth Signed Official League Baseball (PSA/DNA)
– Jack Nicklaus Original Masters Victory Badges Display w/Signed Photo & Scorecard
– President Barack Obama Unique Signed OML Baseball w/Hand Painted Portrait (JSA)
– Dr. James Watson Signed OML Baseball w/DNA Helix Sketch
The auction is underway now with item details available at Iconic Memorabilia’s website. Bidding will close on Saturday, June 20th.
All autographed material featured in the Iconic Memorabilia auction are accompanied by at least one Certificate of Authenticity from an industry recognized third-party authenticator such as James Spence Authentication (JSA), PSA/DNA, Global Authentication, Justin Priddy/ACE Authentication, Upper Deck Authenticated, or Steiner Sports. In many cases lots will be accompanied by multiple authentications from the aforementioned companies.
In addition to the website, a full color catalog for the auction is available.
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