Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries’ Sports Collectibles division will present the helmet worn by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath during his heroic Super Bowl III underdog victory in their upcoming May 3rd Signature Auction to be held in Dallas, Texas. “This is arguably the most significant football artifact ever to reach the auction block,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Heritage Auction Galleries’ Sports Collectibles division. “It’s a key piece from one of professional football’s most celebrated and inspirational games, worn by one of America’s most beloved sports figures.”
The helmet was a gift from Namath to his close friend’s eleven-year old son, who had asked Joe for his chin strap late in the 1968 season. Namath explained to the boy that he was too superstitious to change anything that might affect the Jets’ winning ways, but suggested , “How about this? After the season is over, you can have my whole helmet.” And, just as he did with his famous pregame guarantee of a victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, Namath kept his word, inscribing the exterior shell of the white and green helmet, “Andy, hope you have as much luck with this as I have. Your pal, Joe Willie Namath.”
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Aside from being one of the hobby’s most important game used pieces, it is also one of the most strongly documented. “When Namath initially refused the youngster’s chin strap request, he provided him with a football signed by the entire Jets team. Namath added a personal inscription reading, ‘Andy, After the Super bowl you’ll have my helmet, Joe Willie Namath.’ This ball is offered as part of the lot, as well as letters of provenance from Namath himself, and from his good friend and former teammate Ray Abruzzese who delivered the helmet to the boy at his home in Philadelphia,” said Ivy.
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1969 Joe Namath Super Bowl III Game Worn Helmet
www.ha.com/709-155001?type=auctionreport-go022407cÂ
MINIMUM BID: $50,000
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Heritage specializes in rare and collectible sports cards, as well as uniforms, equipment, and related vintage sports memorabilia. Consignments for future Signature Sports Auctions are currently being accepted. The consignment deadline for participation in the May 2008 Auction is March 10. Prospective consignors or sellers of quality vintage sports cards and sports memorabilia are encouraged to contact:
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Chris Ivy at 800-872-6467 Ext. 1319 or email: Civy@HA.com
Mike Gutierrez at 800-872-6467 Ext. 1183 or email: MikeG@HA.com
Lee Iskowitz at 800-872-6467 Ext. 1601 or email: LeeI@HA.com
Mark Jordan at 800-872-6467 Ext. 1187 or email: MarkJ@HA.com Â
Jonathan Scheier at 800-872-6467 Ext. 1314 or email: JonathanS@HA.com
Stephen Carlisle at 800-872-6467 Ext. 1292 or email: StephenC@HA.com
Phillip Aman at 800-872-6467 Ext. 1106 or email: PhillipA@HA.com        Â
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For more information about Heritage’s auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.
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To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.
