Heritage Auctions is auctioning off dozens of pieces of memorabilia from sports and other milestones in the 20th century. Online bidding has started, and the auction itself is on February 26 and 27.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's Major League Baseball debut. Among items up for bid is a questionnaire Robinson filled out in 1946.
On the questionnaire, in a response to being asked his ambition in baseball, Robinson wrote, "To open the door for Negroes in Organized Ball."
"He knew he was doing something special at the time, but there's no way he could have known the full impact he would have had," Heritage Auctions' Director of Sports Auctions Chris Ivy said.
Thursday afternoon, bidding for the questionnaire was up to $1.4 million.
Also being auctioned is a copy of the book Wait Till Next Year Robinson gave teammate Pee Wee Reese. Robinson had written a note to Reese inside.
"That's another great look into him. It's not often you get to tell a friend how much they mean to you," Ivy said. "In this inscription he wrote to Pee Wee Reese, he does that, and it's very interesting from one friend to another."
Among other items being auctioned off are Mickey Mantle's last game-worn jersey, which he signed. The highest bid Thursday afternoon was $470,000.
Other items being auctioned off include a cap worn by Amelia Earhart on her first crossing of the Atlantic as a passenger and Jack Ruby's fingerprint card after he was arrested for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Other items include a bat signed by Ty Cobb, jerseys signed by athletes including Dirk Nowitzki and Brett Favre, and game-worn and signed shoes by Michael Jordan.
"This represents the best of the best of sports collectibles from around the world," Ivy said.
Ivy said Heritage Auctions researches each item to ensure its legitimacy.
"We were able to photo match [Earhart's cap], two photos in 1928 after this cross-Atlantic trip," Ivy said, saying the auction house would do the same for the jerseys and other clothing.
A complete list of items is available at sports.ha.com.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD