'54 Mantle Jersey sells for $122,422 A game-used Mickey Mantle jersey from 1954 sold for $122,422 early May 11 in an auction organized by Grey Flannel Auctions (www.greyflannelauctions.com).
Contact: Richard Russek, president, Grey Flannel Auctions
(631) 288-7800
www.grayflannelauctions.com
Editors: Mickey Mantle jersey art attached
MANTLE'S 1954 JERSEY SELLS FOR $122.422
IN $1.9 MILLION GREY FLANNEL SALE;
WESTHAMPTON BEACH, New York - A game-used Mickey Mantle jersey from 1954 sold for $122,422 early May 11 in an auction organized by Grey Flannel Auctions (www.greyflannelauctions.com). The pinstripe flannel of the Yankee Hall of Famer was autographed. The auction grossed nearly $1.9 million.
The Mantle jersey was among numerous historic jerseys in the sale. A Reggie Jackson Yankees road jersey worn in 1977 sold for $52,608; and a Harmon Killebrew game-used Minnesota Twins uniform, a jersey and two pair of pants from 1964, sold for $19,776.
The 1937 Yankees World Championship ring from George Selkirk, sold for $37,543.
“What an extraordinary sale,” said Richard Russek, president of Grey Flannel Auctions. “The level of interest in Mantle and all things Yankees continues to lead the market. This auction proved once again that vintage baseball continues to gain collecting strength, perhaps moreso by today's scrutinizing baseball fan who is grappling with record-setting performances of certain modern day players.”
As with all signature Grey Flannel auctions, this one contained important gear in other sports. Lynn Swann's USC Trojans helmet circa 1973 sold for $11,633; Tom Brady's 2004 white mesh jersey from his championship season with the New England Patriots sold for $11,182. Dan Marino's 1991 Miami Dolphins game-used aqua jersey, signed, sold for $8,693; and Brett Favre's game-used 2002 green Packers jersey, signed, sold for $7,212.
A Tiger Woods Nike golf shirt, worn during his remarkable tour year in 1999-2000, sold for $10,145. The shirt was autographed. Woods' tour-used and autographed “The Masters/Tiger Slam” yardage guide from 2001 sold for $7,320.
Basketball items showed great strength among collectors. Larry Bird's game-used Boston Celtics road jersey from the mid-1980s sold for $13,628. Earvin “Magic” Johnson's game-used Lakers home jersey from 1984-'85 sold for $11,182. Kobe Bryant's game-used road jersey from the NBA finals in 2001-2002 sold for $6,398. Bernard King's New York Knicks' game-used home jersey sold for $10,305.
Bill Bradley's 1970 road blue Knicks jersey topped that total at $21,326. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's game-worn home Milwaukee Bucks jersey sold for $16,350.
Basketball collectors looking for a different kind of history found it in the James A. Naismith induction plaque and medallion that hung for years in the old building of the National Basketball Hall of Fame and Museum. It sold for $5,753.
“Baseball dominates the sports collecting marketplace and maybe it always will, but pro basketball is maturing to the point that collectors are keenly interested in items from that game's legends,” Russek said.
Among other items that sold were:
o A Yankee Stadium traveling trunk sold for $6,532;
o A single-signed Jackie Robinson baseball, with “Best Wishes” added, sold for $9,463;
o A rare seat from the Original Palace of the Fans in Cincinnati sold for $2,954;
o A double seat from Braves Field in Boston sold for $6,089;
o An
