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Michael Jordan high school love letter headlines Lelands Fall Auction
Before he won a college basketball national championship at North Carolina and became the greatest player in NBA history, Michael Jordan was just another high school basketball star.
One with a high school girlfriend.
And Jordan once wrote his high school sweetheart a heartfelt love letter.
The handwritten letter penned by “the smitten 18-year-old Jordan” is up for bid in Leland’s 2025 Fall Classic Auction, which runs through March 15.
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Jordan’s letter was a “heartfelt two-page missive” to his then girlfriend, Laquetta Robinson, in May 1981 while the pair attended Laney High School in Wilmington, NC. According to Lelands, “Jordan professes his love to her numerous times. However, he makes clear that she will have to share his love of basketball.”
The auction also features an iconic Michael Jordan card, a 1997 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Stars & Rookies #MJ Michael Jordan autograph card graded PSA 7 with a 10 auto. The rare card, which has only one graded higher and features a bold autograph, is the first to hit a public auction since 2021.
The auction also features a PSA-graded complete set of 1948 Leaf Baseball featuring such stars as Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Larry Doby. The complete set (98/98) is ranked #4 on the PSA Set Registry. All 98 cards have been graded and encapsulated by PSA.
Other auction centerpieces include: a sealed 5-cent wax pack of 1952 Topps Baseball cards graded PSA 6; a circa 1921 Christy Mathewson single-signed baseball from the Geddy Lee Collection (JSA); a 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings Peck & Snyder Trade Card Large Variation (PSA); a Willie Mays 1957 All-Star game-used bat (PSA GU 8); a superb Babe Ruth single signed baseball (PSA 7); and a Roberto Clemente 1965-68 Pirates game-used bat (PSA GU 8).
Also featured are newly discovered examples of team composite CDVs of two founding members (Boston and the Rockford Forest Citys) of baseball’s first pro league, the 1871 National Association, and featuring star players, brothers Harry and George Wright, and Cap Anson, respectively.
The 1,500-plus-lot auction also includes a 2021 Braves World Series Championship ring with the original box; a Michael Jordan 1990 Bulls game-used jersey (MEARS A10); a 1932 World Champion Yankees team-signed baseball with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (PSA); and a 1962 Wilt Chamberlain 100-point game ticket stub (PSA GD 2, Pop 1 of 4).
Also offered is one of the finest single-signed baseball collections Lelands has ever handled. The 125-plus-lot Lone Star Archive features balls autographed by Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Walter Johnson, Cy Young, and more.
Other auction highlights include:
• A 1998 Upper Deck Rookie Edition #KGS Ken Griffey Jr. “A Piece of the Action” autographed jersey #1/24 card (PSA 6, Auto 8, Pop 1).
• 1950 Robin Roberts Phillies “Whiz Kids” signed game-used jersey from his championship season.
• 1948-49 Leaf Baseball #8 Satchel Paige Rookie Card (SGC FR 1.5).
• Jimmie Foxx single-signed baseball from the Geddy Lee Collection (PSA 7.5).
• 1961 Topps Baseball #300 Mickey Mantle signed card PSA NM 7 Auto 9 (Only two graded higher).
• Antonio Brown’s game-used cleats from his infamous “Meltdown” game against the Jets on Jan. 2, 2022.
• A Bill Belichick Patriots worn hoodie.
• Jason Giambi May 17, 2002 “Ultimate Grand Slam” baseball.
• 2023 Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship ring with original box (Knights COA).
• A circa 1916 Dick Hoblitzell Red Sox team sweater.
