Grey Flannel Delivers at National, Gears Up for Basketball HOF Auction
When you're acknowledged as the leader in your field, people expect a lot from you. In the case of Grey Flannel, the industry's most widely respected seller and authenticator of game-used jerseys, that means acquiring and offering up jerseys and other sports memorabilia that will take the breath away from sports fans.
The company delivered on the former earlier this month at The National Sports Collectors Convention by obtaining some impressive pieces of baseball history. The most noteworthy items included a Lou Gehrig game-used New York Yankees jersey circa 1932, and a full game-used 1971 Giants uniform worn by Willie Mays. Grey Flannel also scored world championship rings from both the 2004 and 2007 Boston Red Sox teams.
Grey Flannel also delivered on the latter by displaying a dizzying array of basketball memorabilia from its upcoming Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Auction during the National. Some of the basketball jerseys on display at the Grey Flannel booth during the National even caught the eye of ESPN's Sports Guy, Bill Simmons, who featured them in his photo gallery of The National which he published on ESPN's website.
Since Grey Flannel is the official appraiser and authenticator for the Hall of Fame, the staff goes all out to make sure it has top notch lots for the auction. This is the fourth year the event has been held, and fittingly, some of the most impressive memorabilia being offered celebrates an all-time great who will be inducted this year, Michael Jordan.
The Michael Jordan memorabilia is paced by the actual backboard and rim used at the Delta Center during Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, where Jordan hit the final shot that sank the Utah Jazz. Also up for bidding is an autographed, game-used road jersey from his rookie season in 1984-85, which Grey Flannel believes may be the first No. 23 shirt Jordan ever wore as a pro. Both pieces open with minimum bids of $25,000.
Also among the premier lots are a complete game-used and autographed uniform (jersey and shorts) from the 1992 Olympics - the year the Dream Team won the gold - an endorsed check from the NBA, several pairs of game-worn sneakers and a game-used baseball uniform (jersey, spikes, batting gloves, hat and wristband) from Jordan's time with the Scottsdale Scorpions. There's even a trainer's table from the old Chicago Stadium, where His Airness was no doubt worked on multiple times during the Bulls' championship runs.
In addition to the abundance of Michael Jordan memorabilia, a 1972 game-used Wilt Chamberlain Western Conference All-Star Game Uniform also opens with a minimum bid of $25,000. And Boston Celtics fans will have a variety to choose from, like Larry Bird (from his rookie season), Bill Walton and Tom Heinsohn game-used jerseys and Bob Cousy's autographed Player of the Decade trophy, given to him in 1962 by the NBA.
That's just the tip of the iceberg for the Hall of Fame auction, which starts accepting internet bids on August 17 and begins its live portion on the morning of September 12. Collectors interested in taking part in, or even just gawking at, this incredible selection of basketball memorabilia can view each of the auction's 750+ lots on the Grey Flannel Auctions Website.
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 LARRY BIRD AUTO vs 76ers JULIUS ERVING 8x10 PHOTO HA US $18.50 |
