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Michael Jordan NBA sneakers, Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth memorabilia highlight REA auction
In the mid-190s, an astute Detroit Pistons ball boy acquired an incredible collection of game-worn NBA sneakers.
The collection, which includes a pair of Michael Jordan sneakers from his rookie season, are now up for bid in the Spring Catalog Auction at Robert Edward Auctions.
The signed, game-worn Nike Air Ship sneakers are from Jordan’s 1984 rookie season. Jordan wore them for only a few games before debuting his Nike Air Jordan sneakers on Nov. 17, 1984. Both shoes are signed on the outer ankle, and they are in two different sizes (13 and 13 ½).
The Nike Air Ships were gifted to the Pistons ball boy, who also obtained game-worn sneakers from such NBA legends and basketball Hall of Famers as Isiah Thomas, Robert Parish, Dominique Wilkins and Sidney Moncrief.
The auction, which features nearly 3,800 items and runs through April 21, is also highlighted by a 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron rookie card (PSA MINT 9) and nearly 60 items featuring the trailblazing icon, who broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record 50 years ago on April 8, 1974. Included are one of only four examples of his 1971 Topps #400 card graded PSA 10 and his Atlanta Braves contract that was signed before the 1974 season.
Also featured are 10 different baseballs signed by Babe Ruth, including a circa 1920 single-signed ball graded PSA/DNA 8.5 with a MINT 9 signature. The collection also features a Ruth-signed and inscribed ball from his final Christmas in 1947 as well as a 1948 single-signed ball.
Also See: Babe Ruth game-used bat sets record
Also featured are two iconic cards: a signed 1933 R319 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig; and a signed 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle rookie card. Both feature MINT 9 signatures.
“This is one of our most heavily-anticipated auctions due to the incredible amount of rare game-worn memorabilia, high-grade cards and new-to-the-hobby items that our consignors have entrusted to us,” REA President Brian Dwyer said. “With the variety of material for all types of collectors, we expect this to be another record-setting event for us and an important benchmark event for the industry.”
Other key items in the auction include:
• Two T206 Ty Cobb Portrait Red Background cards: a PSA GOOD+ 2.5 with a Broad Leaf 350 back; and a SGC NM/MT 8.
• 1993 Upper Deck SP Foil #279 Derek Jeter Rookie card (PSA 10).
• 1986-1987 Fleer Michael Jordan Rookie card (PSA 10).
• 1979-1980 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie card (PSA 9).
• 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle (PSA EX 5).
• 1961-1962 Fleer Basketball #8 Wilt Chamberlain Rookie card (PSA NM-MT+ 8.5).
• 1969-1970 Topps Basketball Complete Set (99), the No. 4-ranked set on the PSA Set Registry (8.77 GPA).
• 1969 Topps Baseball Complete Set (664), the No. 6-ranked set on the PSA Set Registry (8.98 GPA).
• 2017 Panini National Treasures Football #161 Patrick Mahomes II Rookie Patch Auto Green Refractor (#3/15 BGS MINT 9 with GEM MINT 10 Signature).
• 1968 Al Kaline Detroit Tigers game-used home jersey worn during the 1968 World Series, with team scout provenance (SGC/Dave Grob).
