1984-1985 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls Game-Used Rookie Uniform (Jersey and Shorts)

Sold For:

$49,938

Year:

1984

Auction:

2008 Spring

Lot #:

1576

Category:

Boxing/Golf/Other Cards or Memorabilia

Offered here is one of the most significant game-used basketball uniforms in existence: a Chicago Bulls home uniform (jersey and shorts) worn by Michael Jordan during his 1984-85 rookie season in the NBA. In fact, MEARS has dated this jersey to precisely the second half of Jordan's rookie season (early 1985). Graded a perfect A10 by MEARS. This is one of only two Michael Jordan 1984-85 rookie uniforms ever to receive a grade of A10 by MEARS (the other example, a road uniform, was featured in our April 2007 auction and sold for $70,500) and one of only three 1984-85 Jordan rookie jerseys ever graded by MEARS. The white-mesh jersey is lettered "Bulls" across the front and features the number "23" on the front and reverse. "Jordan" is lettered on the reverse above the name. All letters and numbers are vinyl and have been applied by means of a heat-transfer process. The design of the front lettering is done in two-tone red on black, while the name on the reverse is in solid red. All numerals are appliquéd in two-tone red on black. A "Rawlings 44" label appears on the right front tail. The matching white-mesh shorts, with red side panels bearing the Bull's team logo, feature a "Rawlings 36" tag in the waistband. Also located in the waistband, adjacent to the manufacturer's label, is the number "23" chain-stitched in white upon a red strip tag. Based upon the font style of the jersey, combined with the date-specific manufacturing tag, this jersey can be precisely dated to the second half of Jordan's 1984-85 rookie season. The shorts, which were obtained together with jersey, can also be dated to the second half of the 1984-85 season due to the style of manufacturer's label. Both the jersey and shorts are completely original, with no alterations, and display moderate wear. The shorts display pinkish hue as a result of laundering (colors bleeding in the wash). This is undoubtedly one of the most significant basketball uniforms in existence as it marks the beginning of the greatest career in basketball history. Michael Jordan was chosen by the Bulls with the third pick in the 1984 draft, and with that selection the seeds of a dynasty were planted. Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game during his first season and was named Rookie of the Year at season's end. His high-flying antics and prodigious dunks soon earned him the title "Air Jordan," but as NBA fans soon came to realize, he was not simply a one-dimensional scoring machine. Jordan was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team on nine separate occasions and in 1988 was voted Defensive Player of the Year. Included among his many other honors are five MVP Awards, fourteen All-Star Game appearances, and three All-Star MVP Awards. Jordan led the Bulls to six NBA Championships and also led the United States Basketball team to gold medal victories in the 1984 and 1994 Olympics. In 1996 he was named one of the Fifty Greatest Players in NBA History. A poll conducted in 2000 by ESPN named Jordan the Greatest Athlete of the Twentieth Century. Graded A10 by MEARS. This is an extraordinary Michael Jordan rookie uniform and only the fourth Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls jersey ever graded A10 by MEARS. It is also one of only two complete rookie uniforms (both shirt and pants) known. This uniform has been the prize possession and collection highlight of one of the most serious, knowledgeable, and dedicated Jordan collectors that has ever been involved in the sports memorabilia field. This gentleman is a collector's collector. The record realized price of the Jordan rookie road uniform in the April 2007 REA auction has motivated him to reexamine and reorganize his twenty-year collection, making this museum-caliber jersey, along with the 2002 Wizards uniform also appearing in this auction, available at auction for the very first time ever. LOA from Dave Bushing & Troy Kinunen/MEARS. Reserve $10,000. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $49,937.50