Heritage Sports Collectibles Presents Incredible Spring Signature Auction!

Dallas, Texas: Heritage Auction Galleries' Sports Collectibles division will present a fabulous array of vintage sports memorabilia and trading cards in their upcoming May 6, 2006 Signature Auction to be held in Dallas, Texas.

"This figures to be one of the most exciting auction events of the year," said Chris Ivy, Director of Heritage Sports. "A very large percentage of the material we've located is fresh to the hobby, and often one-of-a-kind."

"This is certainly true of the personal collection of sporting legend Jim Thorpe," Ivy continued, "which came to us from a close friend of the Thorpe family. One incredible lot features the only known game worn Carlisle equipment, a helmet and pair of cleats, worn by the school's greatest legend."

"Fresh to the collecting hobby and clearly the finest of its kind is a remarkable signed baseball bearing the autographs of the most famous celebrity couple of all time, Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe," said Ivy. "It ranks as one of the most appealing signed baseballs in the hobby."

"Just in time for the fortieth anniversary of the most historic game in college basketball history comes a jersey worn by star guard Willie Worsley in the 1966 NCAA Finals," said Ivy. "The heroic victory of five African-American starters over all-white powerhouse Kentucky was the subject of the 2006 Disney blockbuster film Glory Road."

Ivy continued, "Hardcourt fans will also fall in love with one of the finest Wilt Chamberlain game worn jerseys ever placed upon the auction block, showing heavy wear from the end of the Stilt's Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers."

"Game worn jersey collectors who focus on baseball won't want to miss the incredible pinstriped New York Yankees flannel worn by Hall of Famer Phil Rizzuto during his second season in the Majors," Ivy noted. "The rare WWII 'Health' patch on the sleeve is worth a fortune on its own. Another great item for baseball collectors is the earliest known Ty Cobb game used bat, dating from the 1906 to 1907 era, certainly one of the most remarkable offerings of vintage lumber to reach the auction block in some time."

"We're also thrilled to present an exceptionally rare game used baseball that saw action during the notorious Black Sox World Series of 1919." Ivy said. "Vintage notations on the baseball leave no doubt as to the sphere's brush with baseball infamy. However, happier World Series days are recalled with the presentation of the 1924 World Series victor's pendant presented to Washington Senators catcher Muddy Ruel, whose footprint on home plate in the bottom of Game Seven's twelfth inning sealed the team's sole Championship.

"High-quality baseball photography is a solid theme in this auction," Ivy said, "with an even finer example of the 1911 Addie Joss benefit game panoramic photograph that set a record price in our October 2005 auction being made available to the collecting public for the first time. In addition, we believe that the 1928 New York Yankees panoramic photo we located in St. Petersburg, Florida, less than one mile from the spring training grounds where it was shot, is the only such example ever seen within the hobby. And the condition is simply phenomenal. Also surviving many decades in magnificent condition is a phenomenal 1914 large studio photograph of Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson, inscribed and signed to a fraternity brother in strong vintage ink. It certainly ranks as one of the most appealing Mathewson signed artifacts on earth."

"There's something for collectors of every discipline in this auction," said Ivy, "and this is only a preview of the treasures it holds. We also have a large and beautiful run of early New York Yankees World Series press pins acquired from the estate of the team treasurer, and a collection of eight 19th century tobacco card advertising posters we located on the Baltic coast of Sweden. And, of course, there are scores of quality offerings of autographs, game used pieces and trading cards here as well. I'd invite every sports fan to take a look at www.HeritageAuctions.com/Sports to see the rest of the marvels offered in this exciting event."

1912 Jim Thorpe Memorabilia Archive Including Carlisle Indian School Game Worn Helmet & Cleats

The Finest Known Joe DiMaggio & Marilyn Monroe Signed Baseball
Estimate: $100,000 & up

1966 Willie Worsley NCAA Championship Game Worn Texas Western Jersey
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000

Early 1970's Wilt Chamberlain Game Worn Jersey
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000

1942 Phil Rizzuto Game Worn Jersey with Health Patch
Estimate: $15,000 - $20,000

The Earliest Known Ty Cobb Game Used Bat, Circa 1907-08
Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000

1919 World Series Game Used Baseball
Estimate: $8,000 - $12,000

1924 Washington Senators World Championship Pendant Presented to Herold "Muddy" Ruel
Estimate: $10,000 - $12,000

1911 Addie Joss Benefit Game Panoramic Photograph
Estimate: $40,000 & up

1928 New York Yankees Panoramic Photograph
Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000

1914 Christy Mathewson Signed Large Photograph
Estimate: $20,000 - $30,000

Heritage Auction Galleries' Sports division specializes in rare and collectible sports cards, as well as uniforms, equipment, and related vintage sports memorabilia. Consignments for future Signature Sports Auctions are currently being accepted.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit our Permanent Auction Archives at www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of vintage sports memorabilia are invited to visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Chris Ivy at CIvy@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com to order by email.