LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 May Signature Sports Collectibles #709  / 

19809

1970-71 Pete Maravich Game Worn Rookie Jersey

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 30,000.00 USD
1970-71 Pete Maravich Game Worn Rookie Jersey
<B>1970-71 Pete Maravich Game Worn Rookie Jersey.</B></I><BR><BR><I>If I have a choice whether to do the show or throw a straight pass, and we're going to get the basket either way, I'm going to do the show.</B></I><BR><BR>With all the struggles, success and tragedy of any great Hollywood movie, the short, brilliant life of Pete Maravich remains one of the most compelling in the history of American sport. Born in 1947 in a small Pennsylvania steel town, young Pete was molded by his loving yet domineering basketball coach father into an LSU standout and first round NBA draft pick, a journey that started when he was just three years old and so small he could only shoot the ball with a great heave from his hip, like a six-shooter. So they called him "Pistol."<BR><BR>Presented for the elite hobbyist is the one and only known example of Pistol Pete's rookie jersey, which, by default, must also be labeled the most important and appealing Maravich artifact ever to be offered at public auction. Simply ideal in every conceivable regard, the heavyweight blue knit treasure is as worthy of display at Springfield as any piece currently residing within the Basketball Hall of Fame.<BR><BR>The glorious aesthetics of the jersey is the first jewel in the crown, indicative of the Atlanta Hawks desire for a new and striking image for this inaugural season of the 1970's. The tri-color striping in an asymmetrical design seems an appropriate complement to the addition this season of the flamboyant young superstar, as the look bears comparison to the uniforms of the flashier ABA, an imitation by the Hawks that was likely not entirely unintentional. The small and stylish font spelling "Atlanta" upon the chest is applied in white tackle twill, as is the number "44" that appears on both front and verso. It should be noted that the 1970-71 season was the last in which the NBA failed to require player names on its teams' jerseys, allowing definitive dating of the offered example to Maravich's rookie year.<BR><BR>The spectacular wear raises the bar yet further, suggesting many games of use during Pete's freshman term in the NBA. The tackle twill identifiers exhibit the surface reactions that can only come from lengthy, sweaty wear, a perfect match to that of the interior tail "Rawlings [size] 40" and Dry Cleaning labels.<BR><BR>Provenance is the final point to celebrate, as the jersey derives from the personal collection of Pete's dentist, who was given the jersey by Maravich himself upon his return to Baton Rouge at the close of the 1970-71 NBA season. For a time, the jersey was on public display at an upscale New Orleans restaurant owned by the dentist's father, noted boxing mogul "Diamond Jim" Moran.<BR><BR>Pistol Pete Maravich's sudden and shocking passing at age forty robbed the sporting world of one of the greats of the game long before we were ready to say goodbye. One lucky bidder will be able to connect to this iconic figure in a very personal way every time he enters his trophy room, and will instantly establish himself as one of the elite collectors in the field with ownership. <I>LOA from Lou Lampson.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Clothing, Costumes & Jerseys (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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