If you follow the world of high-end sports memorabilia, there is a new headline maker this season. Lelands has opened its Fall Classic Auction, and it is packed with rare pieces tied to legends across several eras.
A look inside a star-studded collectibles auction
The item getting the most early buzz is the personal collection of John Michael Wozniak, the late security guard who became an unexpected cult hero in “The Last Dance.” His private stash of Michael Jordan items is hitting the market for the first time.
Wozniak’s collection reads like a time capsule from Jordan’s inner circle. The auction features his 1996 and 1997 NBA Championship rings, worn during the height of the Bulls dynasty. There are golf clubs Jordan personally used, the same ones seen in old photos of the pair trading jokes on the course. Collectors can also chase Jordan’s game-worn White Sox and Birmingham Barons pants, a rare reminder of his baseball chapter. Even his sweater vests, shorts, and an old lighter are included.
This is the type of memorabilia that never surfaces. Items handled, worn, and kept within Jordan’s closest orbit carry a different kind of weight for collectors. Lelands expects heavy interest, and it is easy to see why.
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More iconic pieces hitting the auction block
Wozniak’s pieces are only part of a massive lineup. The auction also includes a full unused ticket from Jordan’s first professional appearance in the Chicago area from October 1984. It is believed to be the only known complete example. There is also a game-worn Bulls jersey from the 1987-88 season graded at the highest level.
But Jordan fans are not the only ones with reason to circle December 6 on the calendar. Packers legend Forrest Gregg’s personal championship hardware is also featured. Gregg anchored Vince Lombardi’s powerhouse teams in the 1960s and collected an astonishing five NFL titles along the way. His rings from the 1961 and 1965 championships, his Super Bowl I and II rings, and his Cowboys ring from Super Bowl VI are all up for bid. The collection also includes a photo-matched Packers jersey, multiple helmets, and his Hall of Fame gold jacket. It is the type of grouping that could anchor an entire auction by itself.
Football collectors will have company across the aisle. A Tom Brady Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket with a perfect autograph grade is expected to draw serious attention. Baseball fans will find a 1964 Hank Aaron game-worn Milwaukee Braves jersey, an unopened 1948 Leaf Baseball wax pack, a Ty Cobb game-used bat from the 1920s, and a signed Cobb letter filled with raw emotion.
A long list of other treasures rounds out the event. Items such as Roberto Clemente game-used bats, a 1933 All-Star ball signed by Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx, and a complete run of game-used balls from the 2016 World Series show just how deep this catalog goes. There are pieces tied to Secretariat, American Pharoah, Andy Warhol, the 1979 Bird vs Magic championship game, and even NSYNC’s Billboard Awards outfits.
Every year, Lelands promises a wide-ranging auction, but this one feels different. The combination of rare rings, one-of-a-kind Jordan items, and blue-chip baseball memorabilia creates a field day for collectors who want pieces with real history attached. With everything open for bidding through December 6, the only real question is which items will spark a bidding war and which unexpected pieces will end up stealing the show.
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