Uniform worn by Joe DiMaggio highlights Leland’s Classic Auction

The Classic Auction hosted by Leland’s is jam-packed full of featured collections.

Collections aside, though, the top lot in the auction is a photo-matched Joe DiMaggio game-used uniform. The uniform is one of the finest-ever Joe DiMaggio uniforms, as it has an unprecedented seven matches to two home run games, including DiMaggio’s first home run in 1950.

According to the lot description, a DiMaggio game-used jersey in any condition is scarce.

“The primary reason for this dearth is the fact that it was common practice for Major League teams to bequeath their uniforms after the season had ended, for use by their minor league affiliates. Usually, that also meant that the names, number, logos, and patches were removed and replaced with those of the new owners,” it was stated in the auction lot description.

The DiMaggio game-used jersey offered at auction is from the 1950 and 1951 MLB seasons. It is photo-matched to six games in the 1950 and 1951 seasons – April 21, 1950 (DiMaggio hit his first home run of the season), July 8, 1950, August 22, 1950, September 2, 1950 (another home run game), March 23, 1951, and an additional game in 1950.

The auction lot description includes the following information pertaining to the uniform:

“In these mentioned games, DiMaggio went 9-for-16 with two home runs, nine RBI and a stolen base! The pants have also been photo-matched to the March 23, 1951 date. A marvel of modern minimalism, the seven-button-front home white flannel specimen with blue pinstripes heralds three additional monumental design elements, including the Yankees famed intertwined “NY” logo over the left chest and Joe’s solitary “5” on the verso, both sewn on in midnight navy felt, plus the brilliant 1901-1951 American League Golden Anniversary patch on the left sleeve, which was added at the conclusion of the season as the jersey was carried over for use during DiMaggio’s final season.

“Tagging includes ‘A.G. Spalding & Bros, New York, Chicago,’ ‘Dry Clean Only,’ and ‘44’ in the collar and ‘J DiMaggio 50’ stitched in midnight navy blue chain-link in the tail. Matching pants include ‘A.G. Spalding & Bros, New York, Chicago,’ ‘Dry Clean Only,’ and ‘44’ tags in the waist, just below a felt swatch with ‘J DiMaggio 50’ in midnight navy chain-link.”

The uniform has been awarded a MEARS grade of A8.

A another game-used jersey of note is a Lynn Swann jersey that is part of the Legendary Pro Football Collection portion of the auction. Swann jerseys are hard to find in the hobby. Earlier this year, Lelands sold a Swann game-used jersey from 1982 for more than $40,000. The Swann jersey offered in Lelands Classic Auction is an earlier exemplar with greater wear.

Back to collections in the auction, there are several.

A collection of PSA graded cards includes the highest-graded Bobby Orr rookie card in the hobby. Also included is a Mickey Mantle rookie card, a 1948 Leaf complete set, and 300-plus PSA graded cards from the 1968 Topps Baseball set.

The Seminal Awards & Rings Collection portion of the auction features some of the most important sports awards from some of the greatest athletes of all time, including Nellie Fox, Lou Brock, Oscar Robertson and Jackie Robinson.

The High Grade Boxing Card Collection includes two complete early boxing sets, both #1 on the SGC Registry. In addition, a 1910 All-Time Champions set, the all-time highest graded on PSA Registry is included in the auction.

Bidding ends Feb. 1.

For a complete listing of the lots in the auction, or to bid, visit www.lelands.com.