Heritage Auction-Barry Sanders Game Worn Jersey

[mdallen22]

I just spoke with two gentleman from Heritage Auctions. I forget the first persons name but the second was a Tony.

They basically said they do not have any documentation as to what specific game this jersey was worn in. I told them i've looked through countless pictures and videos and come to the conclusion it is not the same as other jerseys worn during the 1992 season.

**(As i write this they called me back and say they apologize they will look into this further and will follow up with me for more information!)**

They agree this exact jersey has been sold two previous times by Heritage in the past (2006 & 2011), but made it a point to say both times it was purchased by a third party and not in house bidding, even though they realized it brought more money unframed (I though it was funny they even mentioned that; shill bidding?)

I said didn't someone have to do some type of research before accepting this jersey as a consignment, who was that person or persons and what conclusions did they come up with to suggest it was authentic? Tony said he did not know and that maybe Chris Ivy would know and that it might be best to email him.

Customer service was fantastic. They apologized countless times as question after question was left unanswered. I'm curious to see the outcome. I'll keep all posted!

I expect the worst but hope for the best! I'm very opened minded and understand different jerseys are worn during the year but like you said Steve, shouldn't the research be done already and presented for me? Why do i have to go digging?


Mike

[steve B]

Sounds like they're making an effort.

The detail that's easily found today wasn't typical 10 years ago, and for sure not 20 years ago. So maybe -Original buyer in maybe 1995, buys it as a 92 uniform. consigns it or sells it on to someone else who consigns it everyone thinking 1992. The auction house looks at provenance, maybe a reciept from th team, maybe a letter from someone. As long as it's really close- right maker, style, tagging- it gets in.

Now with readily available video to show it's probably not 1992 there's a question.

Sizes are pretty close. Maybe look at earlier years assuming he'd fill out a bit as he got older? There's a halfway decent guide to baseball uniforms online, but I don't know of one for football uniforms.
If a bit of research found it to actually be rookie year or something like that it wouldn't be a bad thing.

Most of my good deals have been stuff that wasn't described right or wasn't recognized for what it was at the time. Or was bought so long ago it was in an era when nobody cared.( Like when a sportscard place had a barrel full of cracked game used bats from the Red Sox that had been rescued from the trash by a janitor. Evans was $9 ) At my price level I'll take a chance if the item feels right. Sometimes a bit of research turns out pretty well, sometimes not. out of 4 bats bought for about .50 each at the flea market one was game used but rough, a Maris turned out not to be game used, but really close and saleable, and two others were probably minor league and unidentifiable. Kept the gamer, sold the Maris and the one unknown- The fourth was H+B block letter with just "Henry" which turns out is my nephews name. It'll make a nice decoration for him when he's old enough to not bust up the whole house with it.

Steve B

[mdallen22]

I just got an email back from Heritage and they have decided to pull the Sanders jersey from the auction to investigate it further.