Russell, Monroe Headline Iconic Memorabilia Auction

Looking for a little something for the special collector in your life this holiday season? Chances are you’ll find them something among the 1,500 lots of choice autographs and memorabilia featured in Iconic Memorabilia’s Dec. 12 Winter Holiday Auction.

Essentially covering the full spectrum of collectibles, Iconic’s Winter Holiday Auction features everything from vintage relics such as a beautiful 1956 New York Yankees championship team-signed ball and an original Stephen Holland painting of Bill Russell, to pop-culture gems such as Pamela Anderson’s personally worn red bikini from “Baywatch.”

“This auction is really a true collector’s treat. By sheer volume – 1,500 lots and growing – we have a tremendous offering. The diversity is perfect for a holiday sale, with items not only varying by genre, but also covering all price ranges,” said Jeff Wolff, Iconic’s principal managing officer.

Highlights
Among the highlights in Iconic Memorabilia’s Winter Holiday Auction are the following:

- 1956 New York Yankees World Champions team-signed OAL Harridge baseball – While the baseball landscape of the 1950s was dominated by the Yankees (they won six championships during the decade), no season was quite as special as 1956. America witnessed the Triple Crown performance registered by Mantle, then the masterpiece delivered by Larsen in the World Series victory over the cross-town rival Brooklyn Dodgers. This is a remarkable composite of signatures, which includes the standard lineup and the principals of the mound corps. A total of 28 signatures, with zero clubhouse signatures. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA).

- Apollo 11 Crew signed, custom framed display – Apollo 11 was the first manned mission to land on the moon. It was the fifth human spaceflight of the Apollo program, and the third human voyage to the moon. Launched on July 16, 1969, it carried Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. Armstrong and Aldrin became the first humans to land on the moon, while Collins orbited above. The mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy’s goal of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth” by the end of the 1960s.
Offered here is a trio of signatures from the historic Apollo 11 crew: Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins. Each signature is penned in black ink and has been uniquely inset in a beautifully designed frame display, along with a 16-by-20-inch color photograph of the classic Apollo 11 crew portrait. Matted along with Apollo 11 commemorative patches and descriptive plaques and housed in a black leather accented frame, measuring 29-by-37 inches overall. Accompanied by letters of authenticity from renowned space memorabilia expert Scott Cornish and (JSA).

- Roy Campanella circa 1950s game-used chest protector – A fabulous vintage relic from one of the greatest catchers to ever play the game, offered here is a MacGregor Goldsmith navy blue chest protector worn during Campy’s tenure with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Personally gifted by Campy to famed talk show host Joe Franklin and his “Memory Lane” collection of memorabilia, Franklin states in the letter of provenance, “This fascinating memento of baseball history . . . has been a very important part of my Memory Lane Collection of Memorabilia since Roy himself ‘retired’ it permanently to my Memory Lane Collection in 1975 following a personal appearance he made on the “Joe Franklin Show.” Well preserved and in excellent condition, it is accompanied by a detailed LOA from Joe Franklin and a photo of the legendary talk show host with the protector.

- Marilyn Monroe vintage signed 8-by-10-inch photograph – This is a gorgeous vintage black-and-white glossy United Artist publicity portrait signed and inscribed in black ink, “To Tom, Love & Kisses, Marilyn Monroe.” Taken in 1948, the photo captures a stunningly beautiful young Monroe shortly after making her name change from Norma Jeane Dougherty. Some light impressions and handling wear along the border, none of which affects the photos superb signature or overall fine appearance. Like a Babe Ruth signed baseball or an Abraham Lincoln signed document, a signed photo of Marilyn Monroe stands as one of the most highly coveted relics in all of autograph collecting. A photo of this stature is certain to stand out as a true centerpiece of any serious collection.

- The Beatles: complete group signatures in custom framed display – An impressive collection and display of genuine Fab Four autographs tastefully presented with an original Sgt. Pepper album gatefold on its cover. John Lennon and George Harrison’s signatures are inked on a off-white sheet in vintage black ballpoint, above which John has also written. Ringo is represented on a 1-by-3-inch clipping with a dark black, “Ringo (star symbol).” Paul has followed suit by penning a cover page to his book, High in the Clouds, in a bold black felt tip marker. This piece also features a pair of 33 rpm singles for “We Can Work it Out” and “Come Together,” along with images of all of the group’s album covers. It’s accompanied by certificates of authenticity from JSA and Justin Priddy/ACE Authentication.

More big names
Other prominent items featured in the upcoming sale include:

Also look for impressive game-used bats from George Brett and Roberto Clemente, along with signed items from Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig and other legends.

All lots will be available for viewing and bidding online by Dec. 26. Anyone interested in previewing or participating in this sale can do so by logging on to the company’s website at www.IconicMemorabilia.com. In addition to the website, a full-color catalog is available by calling (800) 325-7127.