Gretzky, Pele items hit sports auction block

A one- of- a- kind trophy created for Brazilian World Cup soccer legend Pele and a jersey worn by Wayne Gretzky as a rookie in 1979 are among items celebrating 100 years of sporting history that are headed for auction.

Sotheby’s said on Tuesday that it had teamed up with sports specialists Goldin Auctions to offer some 100 lots of memorabilia from athletes including Babe Ruth, Rafael Nadal, Muhammad Ali, Tom Brady and LeBron James in an online auction from Nov. 24 to Dec. 4.

The Century of Champions auction covers artifacts from the worlds of baseball, tennis, basketball, boxing and more, including rare collectors cards and clothing.

Gretzky’s 1979- 80 worn and signed rookie season Edmonton Oilers road jersey is one of the top items with a pre- sale estimate of US$450,000 to US$600,000.

The Jules Rimet trophy given to Pele after he helped Brazil win its third World Cup in 1970 is expected to fetch up to US$ 800,000. It was made for Pele by FIFA and was first sold by the player at a 2016 auction of his career memorabilia.

A Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contender Championship signed rookie card, described as in near mint condition, is priced at US$250,000 to US$300,000, while a 1952 Topps card featuring then- rookie Mickey Mantle could fetch up to US$ 200,000, Sotheby’s and Goldin said.

Other highlights include the 1956 Heisman Trophy ( US$ 400,000 to US$ 500,000) won by Green Bay Packers NFL player Paul Hornung, who died last week at age 84, and the late Muhammad Ali’s signed 1996 Olympic Games torch. (US$14,000 to US$20,000)

The current world record price for an item of sports memorabilia was set in December 2019 when Pierre de Coubertin’s 1892 Olympic Manifesto sold in New York for US$8.8 million.