Rocky statue, rare Cobb card featured in SCP Auctions’ 2017 Fall Premier

SCP Auctions’ 2017 Fall Premier online auction is currently underway and features hundreds of sports memorabilia items from the recently closed San Diego Hall of Champions (SDHOC), as well as plenty of other sports memorabilia lots.

One of the largest – and heaviest – items featured in this month’s auction is an exact copy of the famed “Rocky” bronze statue that was featured in the 1982 film “Rocky III.” Standing nearly 13 feet tall and weighing close to 2,000 pounds, the statue’s presentation includes a large, engraved gold plaque that reads: “ROCKY BALBOA Created in 1980 for the Movie ’Rocky III’ by A. Thomas Schomberg Edition #2/3 on Loan to the San Diego Hall of Champions from Robert Breitbard.”

Among some of the other leading SDHOC lots being offered are dozens of horse-racing trophies from the massive Eugene V. Klein Collection including the 1985 Preakness Stakes Championship Trophy, known as “The Woodlawn Vase” which was won by “Tank’s Prospect,” a three-year-old stallion that was owned by the late Klein, who was the former owner of the San Diego Chargers from 1966 to 1984.

Speaking of the Chargers, the history of the Bolts is captured as several pieces chronicling the team’s existence in San Diego are up for grabs including the team’s MVP award that covers more than three decades of play (1961 to ’92); its “Lineman of the Year” honors from 1971 to ’92; and its “Charger of the Year” trophy (1969 to ’75).

The San Diego Padres, meanwhile, were headlined for 20 seasons by the late Tony Gwynn (a.k.a. “Mr. Padre”) and many of the Hall of Famer’s milestone mementoes are being auctioned including his signed and notated 2,915th hit baseball and his game worn and signed uniform from career hit No. 2,919.

NEWLY DISCOVERED T206 TY COBB (RED PORTRAIT) WITH TY COBB BACK – ‘THE MATCHBOX COBB’

The T206 Ty Cobb with “Ty Cobb” back has long been recognized as one of card collecting's greatest rarities. It is considerably rarer than the famous Honus Wagner card from the same set; approximately 70 T206 Honus Wagners are known to exist relative to approximately 23 Ty Cobb with "Ty Cobb" back examples. SCP Auctions is unveiling a previously unknown T206 Ty Cobb with “Ty Cobb” back. The offered example was discovered by a Georgia family while cleaning out their late father’s home. The card was found in a matchbox tucked inside a sock drawer.

Also offered is a sacred artifact from Michael Jordan’s legendary playing career: one of only two pairs of Converse sneakers he wore during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games Tournament held at The Forum in Inglewood, California. No, you are not experiencing Déjà vu. This is a different pair from MJ’s Olympic Finals pair that sold for a record $190,372 in June. That pair was gifted to Gail Goodrich’s son, who served as a ball boy. This pair was given to the other ball boy who worked alongside him, and the two remain good friends to this day. Thus, these special sneakers are the second-to-last pair Jordan ever wore in competition as an amateur and represent one of his crowning athletic achievements.

Bidding is open to registered bidders only at www.scpauctions.com. The auction closes on Nov. 4. For more information on how to participate and take part in the bidding, call 949-831-3700 or visit www.scpauctions.com.