SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Jan. 4, 2020 - More than 750 lots of generously illustrated, premium-quality sports memorabilia items, including important game-used apparel and autographed material, are now available to view and bid on at Grey Flannel Auctions (https://www.greyflannelauctions.com/)' website. All major sports are represented, with an emphasis on provenance, authenticity and rarity throughout. Bidding will close on January 22, 2020.

The sale will open with an exceedingly rare 1902 Baltimore Orioles game-used jersey described by Director of Operations Michael Russek as the earliest of all professional baseball jerseys handled by Grey Flannel over its 30-year history. "It is a little-known fact that the iconic New York Yankees franchise began play in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles, with no relation to the current Orioles organization," Russek noted. "The team was purchased and renamed the New York Yankees in 1913. This jersey is an extraordinary relic from baseball's most storied franchise." The jersey is accompanied by a Photo-Match.com LOA grading the jersey a near-perfect 9+. Bidding opens at $5,000.

One of the last baseballs signed by Babe Ruth is entered as Lot 3. The Bambino's autograph is graded a MINT 10 from PSA/DNA and would be "impossible to improve upon," Russek said. "This is the best example of Babe Ruth's autograph we have ever seen. It's at the pinnacle of PSA/DNA grading." The story behind the ball adds an endearing footnote to the mighty legend's life story. In 1948, when his health was failing, Ruth was at a restaurant where he was approached by a waiter, asking if he would autograph a ball for his daughter's birthday. Ruth declined but later came back and asked the waiter for the girl's name, which was "Loraine." Ruth signed the ball, then left. He passed away the very next day. Accompanied by a full PSA/DNA LOA grading the baseball overall at NM-MT+ 8.5, and with a notarized letter detailing the story of Ruth's signing of the ball for the waiter's daughter, it will open for bidding at $5,000.




The fully illustrated catalog detailing all auction lots closing on January 22, 2020 is now available for viewing and bidding at www.greyflannelauctions.com. For additional information on any item in the auction or to make an appointment to inspect auction goods in person at Grey Flannel's Scottsdale showroom, please call 631-288-7800 or email info@greyflannelauctions.com.

Contact
Michael Russek