Kobe Bryant & Jerry West Jerseys Fetch Record Prices at Auction
The market for iconic sports memorabilia continues to surge, wiht recent auctions showcasing the enduring appeal of basketball legends kobe Bryant and Jerry West. Collectors are demonstrating a willingness to spend substantial sums on pieces of history directly linked to these Hall of Fame players.
Kobe Bryant’s Early Career Jersey Sells for Nearly $900,000
Recently, a jersey worn by Kobe Bryant during a pivotal early stage of his career realized a staggering $889,000 at auction. This particular jersey holds special significance as it was his first donned with the iconic No. 24.
The jersey was worn on November 3, 2006, during a 118-112 Lakers victory over the Seattle Supersonics, where Bryant scored 23 points. It features Bryant’s signature alongside the inscriptions “FIRST 24” and “1/1,” and is authenticated with an upper Deck hologram.
Furthermore, meigray Authenticated confirmed the jersey’s use during the Lakers’ 2006 media day. This sale underscores the immense value collectors place on items from Bryant’s career, especially those representing key moments.
It’s important to note that this isn’t the highest price ever paid for a Bryant jersey. Earlier this year, a jersey photo-matched to seven games from his 1996-97 rookie season sold for an unprecedented $7 million.
Jerry West’s Game-Worn Jersey Commands a High Price
Another significant sale involved a jersey worn by Lakers legend Jerry West, fetching a substantial price at auction. The jersey was definitively worn during crucial games in the 1965 and 1966 Western Division finals, as well as Game 2 of the 1966 NBA Finals.
Sports Investors Authentication meticulously photo-matched the jersey to these specific contests. Experts believe the jersey was also likely worn during both the 1965 and 1966 NBA Finals, where West averaged an impressive 33.8 and 33.9 points per game, respectively, against the Boston Celtics.
The Lakers, sadly, lost both Finals series to the Celtics.The auction lot also included a warm-up jacket, shorts, and socks, all believed to be game-worn. These items were originally obtained by a former Lakers trainer in 1967 and have remained in a private collection ever since.
Previously, a jersey photo-matched to four games from the 1969-70 Lakers season sold for $868,000 in May, representing a record for west memorabilia.
A Notable Miss: Wayne Gretzky’s Final Jersey
Not all high-profile auctions were successful. A jersey worn by hockey legend Wayne gretzky in his final NHL game with the New York Rangers failed to meet it’s reserve price. Despite predictions of exceeding $1 million, bidding fell short, and the jersey went unsold.
This outcome highlights the unpredictable nature of the collectibles market, even for items of immense historical significance. It demonstrates that even iconic pieces require the right combination of factors – including collector interest and competitive bidding – to achieve top dollar.
These recent auctions demonstrate a continued strong demand for authentic, game-worn memorabilia from basketball’s most celebrated players. You can expect this trend to continue as collectors seek to own a tangible piece of sports history.
