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Michael Jordan game-worn Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1996-1997 season, estimated at $6,000-$7,000

Athletes, scientists, presidents – University Archives has them all, Feb. 1

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Michael Jordan game-worn Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1996-1997 season, estimated at $6,000-$7,000
Michael Jordan game-worn Chicago Bulls jersey from the 1996-1997 season, estimated at $6,000-$7,000

WILTON, Conn. – A letter boldly signed by George Washington, a game-worn Michael Jordan basketball jersey, a 1963 Christmas card signed by both JFK and Jackie, and an archive of material signed by Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas will appear in University Archives’ online 460-lot auction slated for Wednesday, February 1 at 11 am Eastern time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

George Washington signed a document as “G. Washington,” authorizing the discharge of Corp. Robert Pappe from a horse troop on Dec. 10, 1783. In recognition of his “attention and fidelity” to Washington, Pappe was awarded his military-issued “Horse, Arms and Accoutrements.” Days later, Washington resigned his military commission as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army at Annapolis, Maryland. This Washington-signed document is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

George Washington document signed as “G. Washington” just days before submitting his resignation as Continental Army Commander-in-Chief, estimated at $20,000-$30,000
George Washington document signed just days before submitting his resignation as Continental Army Commander-in-Chief, estimated at $20,000-$30,000

A legal archive of eight documents, totaling 34 pages from 1838 and signed by two political giants – Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas – foreshadowing their classic debates for the Illinois Senate seat 20 years later, has an estimate of $18,000-$20,000. The documents, from a single case file, illustrate just one non-litigation role that Lincoln fulfilled during his 25 years of law practice.

Legal archive of eight documents totaling 34 pages from 1838, signed by two political giants, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, estimated at $18,000-$20,000
Legal archive of eight documents totaling 34 pages from 1838, signed by two political giants, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, estimated at $18,000-$20,000

A 1963 Hallmark Christmas card signed by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy just days before his assassination and never mailed carries an estimate of $15,000-$20,000. The words “Blessed Christmas” had been excised at the last minute in a gesture of sensitivity towards JFK’s Jewish friends, and the card was simply engraved “With best wishes for a Happy New Year.”

1963 Hallmark Christmas card signed by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy, with a secularized holiday message, estimated at $15,000-$20,000
1963 Hallmark Christmas card signed by President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy, with a secularized holiday message, estimated at $15,000-$20,000

Bearing an identical estimate is the original seven-page typed agreement in which George and Ira Gershwin, Dubose Heyward and Dorothy Heyward granted the Theatre Guild of New York the rights to produce their classic opera Porgy and Bess for the very first stage performance in 1935, signed by the composer, lyricist and authors.

Original seven-page typed agreement signed by George and Ira Gershwin and others, granting the Theatre Guild of New York the rights to produce ‘Porgy and Bess’ for the first stage performance in 1935, estimated at $15,000-$20,000
Original seven-page typed agreement signed by George and Ira Gershwin and others, granting the Theatre Guild of New York the rights to produce ‘Porgy and Bess’ for the first stage performance in 1935, estimated at $15,000-$20,000

Albert Einstein signed a cryptic dedicatory inscription, “Two years after the Fall of the German Goyim. / Kindly granted / Albert Einstein / 1935” on the flyleaf of a first edition copy of his German-language book Mein Weltbild, or The World As I See It. His biblical allusion to a “fall” referred to Hitler’s rise in Germany in 1933. The book is estimated at $12,000-$14,000.

Albert Einstein signed and inscribed 1934 first edition copy of ‘Mein Weltbild,’ aka ‘The World As I See It,’ estimated at $12,000-$14,000
Albert Einstein signed and inscribed 1934 first edition copy of ‘Mein Weltbild,’ aka ‘The World As I See It,’ estimated at $12,000-$14,000

A one-page typed letter signed by Walt Disney, PSA/DNA slabbed and certified authentic, in which he writes a flattering recommendation letter for Robert Neuschotz, a former employee in Disney’s Special Effects Department, has an estimate of $6,000-$7,000. “He was of great assistance in devising and developing devices that have proven to be of value to this organization,” Disney wrote.

Walt Disney signed one-page typed letter recommending a former Special Effects Department employee, estimated at $6,000-$7,000
Walt Disney signed one-page typed letter recommending a former Special Effects Department employee, estimated at $6,000-$7,000

A 1996-1997 Michael Jordan game-worn Chicago Bulls home jersey, emblazoned with Jordan’s iconic player number 23 in scarlet, is estimated at $6,000-$7,000. The jersey, showing light wear, is graded A5 and comes with a MEARS Letter of Authenticity. The 1996-1997 season was one of Jordan’s most outstanding in terms of points, assists, steals and rebounds.

Second printing of Martin Caidin’s 1960 book ‘The Astronauts: The Story of Project Mercury, America’s Man in Space Program,’ signed by all seven Mercury Space Program astronauts, estimated at $4,000-$5,000
Second printing of Martin Caidin’s 1960 book ‘The Astronauts: The Story of Project Mercury, America’s Man in Space Program,’ signed by all seven Mercury Space Program astronauts, estimated at $4,000-$5,000

The final highlight is a second printing hardcover copy of Martin Caidin’s 1960 book The Astronauts: The Story of Project Mercury, America’s Man in Space Program, signed by all seven Mercury Space Program participants: Malcolm Carpenter, Leroy Cooper, John Glenn, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Alan B. Shepard and Donald “Deke” K. Slayton, and estimated at $4,000-$5,000.

University Archives is actively seeking quality material for future auctions. Anyone who has a single item or a collection that might be of interest may call John Reznikoff at 203-454-0111 or email him at john@universityarchives.com. For more information about University Archives, please visit www.universityarchives.com.

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