Julien’s Serves Up Sports Legends and Music Icons Auction

Julien’s Auctions has announced its Music Icons and Sports Legends auction, an unprecedented collection of music and sports memorabilia being offered in a two-day auction, June 23-24 (www.juliensauctions.com). The historic collection of items to be auctioned include iconic pieces from contemporary stars of rock ’n roll to legendary icons and sports heroes who made history.

Sports fans can feast their eyes on a collection of sports memorabilia featuring the biggest names in sports. From Nascar to the Olympics and from yesterday’s baseball heroes to today’s basketball champions, the Sports Legends session of the event will no doubt score some of the highest marks of the season.

The Sports Legends highlights include a Tony Stewart 2005 race-used car hood signed by the champion (Estimate: $3,000-$4,000), a Lance Armstrong 2003 Tour de France worn skin suit ($7,000-$10,000) and a Tiger Woods worn and signed golf glove ($2,000-$3,000).

Also included is a baseball stars signed “Stat Ball” matched set featuring a collection of 30 Rawlings official baseballs that have been signed and inscribed by 30 athletes with the majority being Baseball Hall of Fame inductees ($5,000-$7,000); a Willie Mays signed 1979 Hall of Fame Inductee bat ($200-$400); a Jackie Robinson 1952 Topps card, PSA 4 ($500-$700); a Pee Wee Reese, 1952 Topps card (not graded, $3,000-$5,000); a sought-after Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps rookie card, PSA 3.5 ($6,000-$8,000); a Jim Thorpe 1936 Olympic record book ($1,500-$2,000); Michael Jordan’s 1995-96 game-worn and signed shoes ($4,000-$6,000); a Chicago Bulls 1996 Championship pendant ($5,000-$7,000); a Kobe Bryant signed artwork by Stephen Holland ($2,500-$4,500), a collection of love letters written by Mike Tyson while he was in prison in 1993 ($600-$800); a multi-signed IBF Championship Boxing belt signed by Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and Hector Macho Camacho ($4,000-$6,000); and a Muhammad Ali signed 1996 Olympic torch ($10,000-$14,000). Ali lit the flame at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

The auction includes about 250 lots of sports memorabilia, mostly signed items from the major sports, including numerous Hall of Famers, NASCAR drivers and Pelé and international soccer fame.

The sale also include various collections from the 1952 Topps Baseball set and dozens of signed balls, jerseys, magazines and more – perfect for the autograph collector.

Bring on the music
The Music Icons portion of the auction is the main draw, with concert0used apparell and equipment among the favorites.

One of the highlights is The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards’ famed “Hell” T-shirt, which is being offered for the very first time from the often reclusive artist. The ripped sleeveless white T-shirt toured with Richards during the Rolling Stones 1981 American Tour and was often photographed. The shirt can also be seen in the concert film Let’s Spend the Night Together ($1,000-$2,000).

Other highlights among the hundreds of items being offered include a very rare

opportunity to own pieces of Lady Gaga’s personal wardrobe. These include a stage-worn vest designed by Vera Thordardottir that the mega-star wore while performing at Elton John’s 2010 White Tie and Tiara Ball. Also included is her skirt and blouse set, designed by Toon Geboers, that she wore in London in 2010 and as seen in Vogue magazine.

Other highlights include a replicated J-45 guitar celebrating Buddy Holly’s 75th birthday ($10,000-$20,000). A team of skilled artisans who worked with acclaimed luthier Alister Atkin built the rare acoustic guitar, along with artisan Susie Temple who replicated Buddy Holly’s own hand-tooled leather case. The guitar is known as the “Listen to Me” guitar and was originally created by The Buddy Holly Foundation. A very limited number were made and this is the only guitar being offered for sale to the public. The other guitars made are on legacy loan to guitar luminaries around the world. The rare guitar sale is a celebratory collaboration between Songmasters and the Buddy Holly Foundation that will benefit The Grammy Foundation’s Grammy Camps.

Also offered is Elvis Presley’s custom-made jewelry, including an E.P. pendant given to him on stage in Las Vegas in 1974. The stunning 14k gold medallion is accented with diamonds ($25,000-$30,000). Presley was always known as being generous with gifts. When his Uncle Vester Presley commented on a ring Presley frequently wore, Elvis gave it to him. This ring – made from a star ruby and diamonds – is set in a typical gold setting that Elvis was known to love (Est: $10,000-$20,000). Other Elvis items include a classic Stetson fashioned hat made for Elvis and designed by Nudie Cohn in 1969 when he starred in the Western film Charro! ($10,000-$12,000); an authenticated vial of hair from Elvis’ personal barber, Homer “Gil” Gilleland ($2,000-$4,000); and a very rare 1957 film of Presley performing at a Fort Wayne, Ind., concert giving a glimpse of Elvis’ early performances few fans have ever had the opportunity to see ($2,000-$4,000).
More items include an Amy Winehouse personally owned Princesse Tam + Tim robe that the artist wore in her breakout video “Rehab” ($15,000-$17,000), and many antique furnishings and personal items from the home of Meat Loaf.

Many people would be surprised to learn that when the rocker is not on stage, he is often found hunting down treasures in antique stores around the world. In addition to some of these treasures, fans will also have the opportunity to own his black, leather jacket worn for a public appearance with Cher on stage with Patricia Russo ($1,000-$2,000) and signed tour road cases used for housing equipment ($600-$800). More than 100 items from the musician who made “Blinded by the Dashboard Light” a worldwide anthem will be offered during the sale.

Additional highlights include a John Lennon spare suit from the film Hard Day’s Night ($4,000-$6,000); a John Lennon signed and inscribed New Year’s card (1977-78) from John, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon with caricatures drawn of the three of them ($3,000-$5,000); Lennon signed Rolls-Royce registration card dated June 3, 1965 ($20,000-$30,000); ephemera from George Harrison, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney and Wings, a Beatles Platinum Record award for Yellow Submarine ($1,000-$2,000); a Beatles signed 1963 Swedish promotional poster ($6,000 -$8,000); Mick Jagger’s stage-worn tailcoat from the 1989-90 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle tour ($1,000-$2,000); a Grateful Dead original Family Dog poster FD-26 ($3,000-$5,000); and a very special Delaney Bramlett vintage 1913 Gibson style O guitar owned by Bramlett ($4,000-$6,000).

Also offered in the Music Icons portion of the sale is a curated collection of unique items from Michael Jackson dating from his earliest career to his final rehearsals. The assembled collection include Jackson’s Apollo Theatre performance-worn fedora ($8,000-$10,000); a 1984 MTV Viewer’s Choice Moon Man Statue presented to Jackson ($8,000-$10,000); Jackson’s handwritten “Morphine” lyrics ($2,000-$4,000); a Michael Jackson signed drawing ($800-$1,200); a handwritten note to Lisa Marie Presley by Jackson ($800-$1,200); and many other items.

Among the more unusual items to go up on the auction block is the Elvis Presley original crypt. On Aug. 18, 1977, Presley’s funeral was held at Graceland with 200 close friends and family members. After the funeral, there was a procession to Forest Hill Cemetery where Elvis was entombed in a private mausoleum crypt. Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley, wanted to inter Elvis and his wife, Gladys Presley, at Graceland but needed time to get permission from the state of Tennessee for their burial on private grounds. While waiting for burial permits, Gladys Presley was dis-interred and also laid to rest in the mausoleum vault with Elvis. Within two months, both Elvis and his mother were moved to their permanent graves in the meditation garden on the grounds of Graceland.

This original crypt has remained empty with a statue of Elvis commemorating his time there and as a visiting place for those coming to remember The King. Offered here is the opportunity to purchase the crypt for burial. The crypt lies within the granite and marble mausoleum of the Forest Hill Cemetery. This lot includes the crypt where Elvis was once entombed, opening and closing of the vault and crypt for burial, memorial inscription and use of a small chapel for a committal service.

For more information on this auction, visit www.juliensauctions.com, or call (310) 836-1818 for a schedule of the live auction.