2020 Holiday Auction Closing December 12-13

Lot #4: 1968-72 Wilt Chamberlain Game Used Los Angeles Lakers Road Jersey (Mears A10)

Description

Easily one of the premier players in NBA history, Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain spent the final five seasons of his career, from 1968 to 1973, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers after spending the first 10 seasons with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers franchises. Game used items from Wilt are extremely rare and highly sought after considering he is the only player to ever average 40 or 50 points throughout an entire season. Chamberlain ended his career with averages of 30.1 points and 22.9 rebounds per game and led the Lakers to the 1972 NBA title. This offered road Lakers jersey dates to Chamberlain’s first four seasons in Los Angeles (1968-1972), including the season he won his second NBA title (1972).

This road purple durene material jersey was manufactured by Tiernan, the supplier of Lakers’ game jersey during that era. Chamberlain’s number “13” is sewn on the front and back in white with yellow shadow-bordered tackle twill with “LAKERS” being sewn on across the chest in yellow and white tackle twill. This style jersey was first used by the Lakers starting in 1968 with the white/purple/yellow/purple/white neck and shoulder piping seen on this jersey. The Lakers would switch to two-color yellow and purple piping starting in 1973 and those jerseys were made of mesh, not durene like this offered example. The back of this jersey has “CHAMBERLAIN” sewn on and arched across the back in yellow and white tackle twill. The jersey is an approximate size 44 as there are not size tags. The chest measuring 22 inches and the torso 29 ½ inches, putting this in line with a size 42 or 44 jersey.

This jersey displays heavy game use with puckering found on the lettering on the “CHAMBERLAIN” stitching and the “13” numeral. There is heavy staining on the right shoulder area and lighter staining on the left shoulder and appears to be blood, although that has not been tested. A spectacular gamer from Wilt’s Laker days towards the end of his remarkable career. This jersey comes with a full LOA from MEARS (312546), who have given this jersey the highest possible grade of A10.

Final Bid (Includes Buyers Premium):$108,000
Minimum Bid:$35,000
Number of Bids:14