NEW YORK (WGN) — Chicago sports memorabilia collectors have a shot at two ultra-rare Michael Jordan items that are up for auction through mid-October in New York.
According to Leland’s Auctions, a 1984 Michael Jordan NBA debut Chicago Bulls box office stub and a 1998 Upper Deck Basketball Game Jersey #GJ20 Michael Jordan “Make-A-Wish” autograph card are available to bid on as a part of their Fall Classics Auction through Oct. 19.
The Jordan debut ticket stub is listed as one of a kind and has been given the auction house’s highest rating, a PSA EX-MT (Pop 1-of-1).
Jordan made his debut on Oct. 26, 1984, against the Washington Bullets. The future face of basketball registered 16 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals on 5-16 shooting from the field in a game the Bulls went on to win, 109-93.
The Make-A-Wish autograph card, graded a PSA AUTO 9, features a patch from a game-worn Jordan jersey.
The card was signed by Jordan in conjunction with the Make-a-Wish Foundation for a young boy, who asked his name be kept confidential.
According to Leland’s, Jordan sat down with the kid and signed a card, basketball, and a shoe for him, and even arm-wrestled him. The winning bidder for the card will also receive a USB drive that has videos and photos from the signing, which is rated a Pop 1-of-1 just like the Jordan debut ticket stub.
A 1914 Babe Ruth Baltimore Orioles original team photo – one of the only images of Ruth in an Orioles uniform known to exist – and a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle signed rookie card with a perfect GEM MINT 10 autograph headline the Leland’s 2024 Fall Classic Auction when it comes to non-Chicago sports related memorabilia.
The 1914 Orioles team photo featuring Ruth is the earliest known original image of The Bambino as a pro player and the only one in existence. At the time, Ruth was a 19-year-old pitcher for the Orioles – then a minor league team in the International League – before his contract was sold to the Red Sox midseason. This remarkable Ruth photo – which was previously sold by Lelands for a world-record $190k in 2019 – is one of the most historically significant baseball photos in the hobby.
The hobby fresh 1951 Bowman Baseball #253 Mickey Mantle Signed Rookie Card up for bid has been graded and encapsulated by PSA PR 1 with a perfect Auto grade of 10. The beautiful autograph was boldly signed in blue Sharpie horizontally across the face of the card. One of the most iconic rookies, this extraordinary card is a true gem for collectors.
Additional auction centerpieces include an extremely rare 1948 Leaf Baseball # 8 Satchel Page Rookie Card PSA NM 7 – with only five graded higher – and an excellent 2020-21 Panini Prizm Basketball Gold Prizm #1 LeBron James #7/10 PSA Mint 9.
The auction also features a one-of-a-kind Mickey Mantle autograph display signed 99 times with “these pens suck” inscription, a 1967 Topps Baseball unopened First Series 48-Count Cello box (BBCE), Shaquille O’Neal’s 1993 NBA All-Star Game Eastern Conference game-worn, photo-matched uniform (Resolution) from his rookie season, and Jimmie Foxx’s 1932 American League Most Valuable Player Award.
Among other auction highlights are an Aaron Judge Yankees 2017 ALDS Game 5 game-worn, photo-matched jersey, a Paul Molitor 1978 rookie year Brewers signed, game-worn, photo-matched jersey (MEARS A10), a circa 1973-75 Thurman Munson Yankees game-used bat (PSA GU 10), and a 1928 R315 Babe Ruth SGC MINT 9 (Pop 1 of 2 highest graded).
The 1,600+ lot auction also includes Danny Amendola’s Super Bowl XLIX and Patriots 2015 season-long Patriots signed, game-used helmet, a Mark Messier 1990 Oilers game-worn, photo-matched jersey (MeiGray and Oilers LOA), a 1951 Joe Louis signed fight contract vs. Rocky Marciano in what was Louis’ final fight, and a circa 1964 Roger Maris Yankees game-worn batting helmet.
If you’re interested in checking out the auction listing for any of these items, visit Leland’s website here: https://lelands.com/