LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif., Aug. 6, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SCP Auctions' "Mid-Summer Classic" begins today, August 6, and runs through Saturday, August 23, at www.scpauctions.com . Top lots include Lou Gehrig's 1928 New York Yankees World Champions wristwatch, 2012 Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel's game-worn and signed Texas A &M Aggies' home jersey from that epic season, the Helms Athletic Foundation's John Moores Trophy from 1938 created for the World's Amateur Baseball Championship, and Part 2 of the Newport Sports Museum Collection.
Lou Gehrig's 1928 New York Yankees Championship Wristwatch
The 1928 New York Yankees won their sixth American League pennant that season and swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. And first baseman Lou Gehrig, batting cleanup, was one of the biggest home run bashers of them all. In 1929, on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, a total of 30 specially designed Hamilton "Piping Rock" wristwatches were presented to the players from the 1928 squad. The watch engraved to "Henry L. Gehrig," better known as "Lou," is now available through SCP Auctions. Dan Imler, vice president of SCP Auctions states: "Most of Lou Gehrig's championship rings and other presentation jewelry were deconstructed and fashioned into an elaborate charm bracelet for his wife Eleanor. That bracelet now resides at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The offered 1928 World Series watch survives not only as the pinnacle of Gehrig's surviving awards, it is indisputably among the world's finest sports awards, period."
Featuring strong Art Deco design influences, the watch is engraved with Gehrig's name and the back is specifically designed with an American eagle perched atop two intersecting bats, baseball-like stitching and the following moniker: "Yankees 1928 World Champions." Provenance: Lou Gehrig's 1928 World Series wristwatch was among a small but significant group of his career mementos that was bequeathed by Lou's mother Christina Gehrig to longtime family friend Ruth Quick upon her death in 1954. The watch remained in the Quick family for more than half a century. Almost reminiscent of the man himself who set a major league record of playing in 2,130 straight games – a mark that stood for 56 years – the watch is still going strong and functioning perfectly. This summer marks the 75th anniversary of Gehrig's famous "Luckiest Man Alive" speech from 1939. The watch is estimated to sell for more than $300,000.
Johnny Manziel's 2012 Texas A &M Aggies Game-Worn, Signed and Inscribed Heisman Season Jersey
Johnny Manziel, nicknamed "Johnny Football," was the No. 22 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. He was the starting quarterback for the Texas A &M Aggies for two seasons (2012 and '13) and it was in his freshman campaign that Manziel had a season to remember. Not only did he pass for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he rushed for 1,410 yards and 21 more touchdowns that same year. He became the first true freshman in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy award, which is given annually to the nation's top football player. The Adidas, size medium, Texas A &M maroon home jersey was worn in six games by Manziel during that incredible season in which the Aggies posted an 11-2 overall record. The jersey shows plenty of game-action wear and scrapes and even includes multiple stitches in areas where the jersey was torn or frayed from all the punishment it sustained during Manziel's electrifying run to the Heisman. Imler states: "This is the only game worn jersey from 'Johnny Football's' unforgettable Heisman season to be offered publicly. We expect it could bring a record price for a game worn college jersey with potential to sell for upwards of $100,000."
The Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection
The Helms Athletic Foundation was a Los Angeles-based sports organization founded in 1936 by W.R. "Bill" Schroeder, a private sports memorabilia collector, and Paul Helms, the owner of the once famed Helms Bakery, which was the "official baker" of the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games. Schroeder started collecting various sports artifacts in 1932 with the dream of one day sharing them for public viewing. His vision became a reality when Helms agreed to sponsor the venture in 1936.
The Helms/LA84 collection ran the gamut of sports artifacts, from medals and memorabilia, to trophies and awards. It was once considered the most complete sports library in the world. Just a few of the thousands upon thousands of noteworthy items in the collection include Jack Dempsey's 1918 fight-worn boxing gloves used to knockout Fred Fulton; a mid-1970's match-worn tennis outfit that belonged to former World No. 1 female player Billie Jean King; and the famous "John Moores Trophy," a sterling silver masterpiece created in 1938 to recognize the World's Amateur Baseball Championship. The trophy is estimated to sell in the range of $50,000-$100,000. To see video highlights of the Helms auction items, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZgwYPSbXKk . Proceeds from the sale of items from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection will be used to advance the work of the LA84 Foundation. For more information about the foundation, please visit www.LA84.org .
The Newport Sports Museum – Part 2
For nearly 60 years, John Hamilton's sports memorabilia collection in southern California grew to become one of the largest privately owned collections in the world. The Newport Sports Museum opened its doors in 1995 and eventually housed more than 10,000 authentic game-used artifacts and mementos representing every major sport and athletic feat imaginable. The collection represents the 72-year-old Hamilton's life in and around the world of sports and his relationships and experiences that enabled him to acquire most of the items directly from admired athletes and team personnel.
SCP's Mid-Summer Classic auction marks the second of a four-part offering from The Newport Sports Museum Collection. Highlights this time offering include significant hockey and football game-used items such as:
C. 1976 Tony Dorsett autographed Univ. of Pittsburgh game-worn home jersey
1985 Bo Jackson autographed Univ. of Auburn game-worn jersey
Early 1970's Dick Butkus Autographed Chicago Bears game-worn helmet
1991-92 Mark Messier New York Rangers game-worn jersey (Messier LOA)
1979-80 Jim Craig (Miracle on Ice goalie) Team USA pre-Olympic game-worn jersey
Bidding will open to registered bidders Wednesday, August 6 and conclude Saturday, August 23. The auction will be conducted online at www.SCPAuctions.com . For more information on how to participate, visit www.scpauctions.com or call (949) 831-3700.
Note: High-resolution photos available upon request.
Photos accompanying this release are available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=26951
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Terry Melia 949-831-3700 (office) 760-420-3511 (cell)
