Hall of Fame uniforms to highlight Heritage Auctio

Dozens of Hall of Fame jerseys, including an 1890s-1900s Notre Dame full uniform, are featured in Heritage Auction Galleries' Sports Signature Auction, which be held May 5 in Dallas, Texas.

"Few locations outside of Cooperstown and Canton could match our offices today in terms of quantity and quality of game-used memorabilia," explained Chris Ivy, director of Heritage Auction Galleries' sports collectibles division. "Football is particularly well represented in this auction, though there is certainly something for game-used collectors of every discipline."

Those who favor pen and ink over the tools of the trade will also find no shortage of treasures to covet.

"Yet again, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig figure prominently into this auction, and we're particularly proud of two pieces that speak directly to each legend's distinct legacy," said Ivy. "A 1922 signed addendum to Ruth's New York Yankees contract was Colonel Ruppert's effort to limit the Babe's drinking and carousing for which he was famous.

"And an incredible Lou Gehrig handwritten letter dating two weeks after his 'Luckiest Man' speech discusses his illness and his mistaken belief that he would be cured."

These Yankee icons are far from the only prewar baseball legends to be represented among the auction's elite pieces however. Direct from the Newcomerstown, Ohio, area where Cy Young spent the final decades of his life comes artifacts never before seen in the collecting hobby.

Also included in the auction are two historically significant football programs, each one of just a tiny handful known to exist today.

"Each of these programs resides at the very top of the 'endangered species' list," notes Ivy. "The 1872 Yale vs. Columbia program is believed to be the earliest football program on earth, and the only example in existence. The first Rose Bowl program from the inaugural 1902 game is one of fewer than 10 known.

 "And furthering the theme of exceptionally rare early collegiate football memorabilia is the earliest known Notre Dame full uniform, dating to the turn of the century. This is also believed to be the only surviving example."
Other key items include:

Baseball
? 1916 World Series program
? 1912 Boston Garter (H813) advertising sign
? 1951 St. Louis Browns "Eddie Gaedel Game" scorecard
? 1947 Stan Musial Chesterfield Cigarettes advertising sign (SCD cover)
? 1920s Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins signed ball PSA 8
? 1940s Jimmie Foxx signed ball
? 1962 Topps Baseball high-grade complete set

Football
? Late 1970s Drew Pearson game-worn jersey
? 1978 O.J. Simpson game-worn jersey and cleats
? Early 1950s Tom Landry game-worn jersey
? Early 1980s Terry Bradshaw game-worn jersey
? Early 1970s Lance Alworth game-worn jersey
? Mid-1960s Ray Nitschke game-worn jersey
? Circa 1979 Terry Bradshaw game-worn helmet
? 1985 Dan Marino SB XIX game-worn helmet
? Mid-1960s Paul Hornung game-worn helmet

Basketball
? 1969 Topps Lew Alcindor PSA 8
? 1928 Boston Garden dual stadium seats
? 1946-99 Boston Garden basketball court section
? Early 1980s Michael Jordan game-worn shoes
? 1990 Larry Bird game-worn warm-up suit

Other
? 1990s Jack Nicklaus tournament-used golf bag
? Six United States Presidents signed ball
? 1977 Muhammad Ali fight-worn gloves from Shavers fight
? 1990 Wayne Gretzky game-used and signed stick