Wilt-Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain, Nolan Ryan game-worn jerseys top Grey Flannel Holiday auction
Grey Flannel Auctions’ Holiday auction delivered early Christmas presents to lucky collectors with the sale of some iconic game-worn memorabilia that attracted big prices.
Leading the auction was a 1970-1971 Wilt Chamberlain Lakers playoff jersey that sold for $333,601.
Also attracting big dollars were: a 1968 Nolan Ryan New York Mets game-used rookie flannel jersey which sold for $115,164; a 1930s Lou Gehrig Yankees game-used flannel pants for $73,396.80; 2017 Shohei Ohtani Nippon-Ham Fighters Japan game-used jersey for $65,007; and 1950-55 Ted Williams Boston Red Sox game-used Bat $65,007.
The Chamberlain Lakers jersey came directly from the Lakers towel boy of that era, with a signed letter of provenance. According to the letter, the jersey was offered to the towel boy by trainer Frank O’Neal as a token of appreciation. It was photo-matched to several games, including the April 9, 1971 NBA Western Conference Finals. In those games, Chamberlain recorded 94 points, 63 rebounds, and eight steals.
Ryan’s 1968 Mets game-used rookie flannel jersey, the earliest known Ryan jersey, was originally issued to Dennis Ribant in 1966 and reissued to Ryan for his late 1967 season call-up. A New York Times article from Aug. 29, 1967 confirms Ryan's recall by the Mets, wearing No. 30 due to Cal Koonce already holding his previous No. 34. Jerseys being reissued by cash-strapped teams like the Mets were common in the era.
Ohtani’s 2017 Nippon-Ham Fighters game-used jersey features the team name (Hokkaido Nippon Ham) across the front and Ohtani and No. 11 on the back. Ohtani made his professional debut at age 18 in 2013, quickly earning a spot in the Pacific League All-Star Game.
Gehrig’s Yankees road flannel pants are fresh to the hobby and come directly from a former Yankees employee. The Spalding label is inside the back of the waistband, with Gehrig's name stitched in red cursive. Another name is also handwritten on the waistband, indicating potential recycling of the pants. The pants show multiple repairs, including a large strip from the right knee to the ankle, confirming their game-used status and wear. It was accompanied by a letter from the consignor, whose mother worked for the Yankees and obtained the pants.
Williams’ 1950-55 Boston Red Sox game-used bat is a Hillerich & Bradsby Standard Ash W166 Ted Williams pro model bat, measuring 35 inches and weighing 32.3 ounces. It shows many ball marks and switch impressions, green ink transfers, green bat-rack marks, cleat marks, and a moderate coat of olive oil and resin on the handle. The model number (W166) is stamped into the knob, with Williams' number (9) handwritten on the knob. Williams was a two-time American League MVP , Triple Crown winner, a 19-time All-Star, and a six-time AL batting champion.
