With hours remaining in Heritage’s opening day of its blowout sports auction, the 1951 Jackie Robinson game-worn jersey had already established an all-time record, beating out the previous mark for a Robinson jersey of $4.2 million.
After the final bid late Friday, that record would reach $5.52 million.
The jersey is attributed to one of Robinson’s best seasons, wearing the Dodgers white flannel at Ebbets Field and batting .338 for the year, placing sixth in MVP voting.
CLLCT'S FULL COVERAGE OF HERITAGE SUMMER PLATINUM AUCTIONS:
- Babe Ruth ‘Called Shot’ jersey sells for record $24.12 million
- Mickey Mantle jersey from 1952-53 World Series sells for $3 million
- Hank Aaron rookie jersey sells for record $2.1 million
- Jackie Robinson debut ticket sells for $324,000, third-highest price for unsigned ticket
- Michael Jordan jersey from 'Last Dance' season sells for $360,000
- Ty Cobb T206 card sells for near-record $870k
- Barry Bonds' record-tying 755th HR ball sells for $102k
Though lacking a conclusive photo-match capable of pinpointing the exact game Robinson wore the jersey, a 75th anniversary patch as well as the chronology of the Dodger’s uniform style — they would begin using red uniform numbers the following year — allow experts to hone in on a season.
Along with the jersey, the auction includes a pair of pants worn by Robinson in 1950.
Despite difficulties concerning the “simplicity of the jersey design and the relative lack of detail of vintage photography,” Resolution Photomatching provides “potential” photo-matches, which, while far from a certainty on their own, bolster the determination of other authenticating services used for the jersey.
This record comes three years after the $4.2 million private sale brokered by Hunt Auctions of a 1950 Robinson jersey. The prior record holder not only included a photo-match, which carries a premium in the game-worn memorabilia space, but also is dated to a year earlier, showing the expedited growth in the value of vintage jerseys in the time since.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.