GUU sale offers Gehrig bat, Jordan jersey and more

More than 200 lots of game-used jerseys, hats, helmets, bats and other items are featured in Game Used Universe’s (GUU) Spring 2008 auction. Specializing in game-used memorabilia, GUU developed its “Next Generation Auction” format, which elevates the authentication process to a new standard while virtually eliminating the possibility of a non-authentic item reaching the collector.

Featured in GUU’s current auction, which closes on May 8, 2008, is a wide variety of unique and high-quality game-used memorabilia from every sport. Among the items included is a side-written, vault marked Lou Gehrig bat from 1931, which was manufactured to Gehrig’s specifications, used and approved by him and ultimately used as the template from which to manufacture the majority of his bats for the remainder of his career.

In addition to a lengthy analysis by GUU’s Mike Specht and a letter of authenticity from MEARS grading it an A8, the bat is also accompanied by a written description of the its history by Hillerich & Bradsby.

The sale also highlights a Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls home jersey worn during the Bulls 1997-98 championship season. The jersey is accompanied by a letter of authenticity directly from the Chicago Bulls and signed by Community Relations director Jeff Schultz.

“This type of team provenance is extremely important to collectors given the number of questionable Jordan jerseys that have surfaced on the secondary market,” explained GUU’s CEO Chris Cavalier. “Here is the chance for a Michael Jordan collector, or any collector for that matter, to add a legitimate Jordan jersey to their collection.”

Along with the Jordan jersey, there are a number of other quality jerseys in the GUU auction with strong provenance. They include a jersey worn by Albert Pujols on “Shirt Off Their Backs Day” at Busch Stadium in 2003. On that day, Pujols took this jersey off immediately following the game and handed it directly to a fan who won the right to the jersey in a fund-raiser auction. It’s not often that a jersey can be traced directly to player’s back. However, with the documentation provided for this jersey, this one can. Aside from the Pujols jersey, there are also quite a few other jerseys in the auction with Steiner Sports paperwork, including a game-used, signed jersey of Yankees captain Derek Jeter.

The auction also has numerous football jerseys with team or player documentation. They include a rare Adrian Peterson rookie jersey (signed and inscribed “Rookie Gamer”), jerseys of Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb (with letters directly from the players), Clinton Portis and a number of other Vikings and Redskins jerseys, all with team paperwork. The auction also features a Jerry Rice jersey from 1985-86. That particular jersey was consigned by an individual who worked for the 49ers during the mid-1980s.

Another interesting consignment in this auction is “The Frank Howard Collection,” which includes a 1970 signed, game-used Howard Washington Senators jersey, two game-used bats, awards from Louisville Slugger (1970 Home Run Champion) and the Washington Senators Home Plate Club (1968 MVP) and Howard’s 1971 game-worn signed Washington Senators batting helmet.

Also included in GUU’s auction are 30 game-used baseball bats. In addition to the Gehrig bat mentioned above, Hall of Fame lumber from Jim Bottomley, Billy Williams and Willie Stargell are offered. Other game-used bats include pieces used by crossover superstar Michael Jordan, Mets’ star David Wright, Ron Cey, Dave Kingman and Jose Canseco.
According to Cavalier, Game Used Universe has something for every level of collector.

“Sure, the superstar items are incredible and get a lot of the attention, but trying to find a legitimate Doug Camilli bat is just as important to a collector trying to complete a 1963 World Champion Dodgers collection,” said Cavalier. “Also, for Dodger world champ collectors, a Camilli bat can be found in the auction.”

Along with the jerseys, bats, and hats – the so-called “staples” of the game-used memorabilia collecting hobby – many rarely seen or one-of-a-kind items are also offered to keep things interesting.

Also included in the sale is a Silver Slugger Award from Jack Clark, Joe Montana salesman sample Super Bowl XVI ring (SS) and a Super Bowl XIX watch given to a San Francisco 49ers’ employee. Look for locker room chairs used by Albert Pujols and Pedro Martinez, a Jets single locker from Shea Stadium signed by Joe Namath, in addition to a 2007 Boston Red Sox championship team piece and game-used bases signed by Derek Jeter, Joe Torre and Troy Tulowitzki.

For hockey collectors, there is also an offered Patrick Roy game-used jersey with a letter of authenticity from Meigray.
The auction is online at www.gameuseduniverse.com. Call (925) 552-8023 to learn more.