The Kobe Bryant Collection: Presented by Goldin Auctions

In its June 2013 auction, Goldin Auctions is offering collectors the rare opportunity to bid upon more than 100 items of unique memorabilia from the early basketball life of Kobe Bryant. The Kobe Bryant Collection: presented by Goldin Auctions features a wide array of trophies, championship rings, medals, plaques, game worn uniforms and more from his childhood in Italy, his high school years in Pennsylvania and his early years in the NBA. All of the items have been consigned to auction by Pamela Bryant.  . For more information, or to register for a free catalog, visit www.GoldinAuctions.com.

“It is gratifying to once again work with the Bryant family to bring this spectacular collection to auction,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “I had the pleasure of working with Kobe and his family in 1996 when he was making the leap from high school to the NBA and I signed him to his very first autograph and trading card deal. Over the past 17 years he has had reached spectacular heights and joined the conversation of the greatest players in NBA history. As a result it will be especially exciting for collectors to bid upon this unique treasure trove of rare memorabilia.”

The centerpiece of the Kobe Bryant Collection: presented by Goldin Auctions is his road maroon Lower Merion High School (LMHS) basketball uniform (shorts and jersey) from his freshmen year. This uniform is special in that Bryant only wore #24, as a freshman, before switching to #33 for the remainder of his high school career. It is believed to be the only authentic game worn #24 Kobe Bryant LMHS jersey in existence. The next time Kobe wore a #24 jersey was when he switched his NBA number to it after the 2005-06 NBA season. When he finally removes #24 from his back, it will hang in the rafters alongside, Wilt, Kareem, Magic and Shaq.

In addition to offering one fortunate collector the chance to own this rare #24 uniform, the Kobe Bryant Collection also include two complete #33 LMHS uniforms (shorts and jersey) worn during his high school career. One uniform is in the home white and the other is the road maroon.

The six rings in the collection include: his 1996 High School McDonald’s All-American ring; 1986 High School State Championship ring; 1998 and 2000 NBA All-Star rings; plus a team issued Kobe Bryant 2000 Lakers championship ring given by Kobe to his father Joe Bryant and a specially designed version for his mother Pamela Bryant.

“A team issued championship ring is among the most treasured of all sports collectibles and the opportunity to own one from an active player as historically significant as Kobe Bryant is rare,” said Goldin. “It’s also an remarkable opportunity for collectors to own Kobe’s two most prominent amateur rings including his McDonald’s All-American ring and his only amateur championship ring. Normally items like these can only be viewed in a museum or the Hall of Fame. We are honored to be able to make these offerings to collectors around the world.”

Some of the other items commemorating his legendary high school career in the Kobe Bryant Collection: presented by Goldin Auctions is: the ’93-’94, ’94-95 and ’95-96 LMHS MVP plaques; 1996 Gatorade High School Player of the Year plaque; several LMHS practice jerseys, sweatsuit tops, warm-up jerseys; multiple LMHS Varsity Letters awarded for basketball; and his actual LMHS Central League Champions jacket. From his time as a youngster in Italy, collectors will be able to bid upon Kobe’s Italian Rieti #44 jersey – the earliest known Kobe Bryant game worn jersey ever offered at auction. Additional items will be announced closer the start of the auction in June.

All items are accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity signed by Kobe’s mother Pamela Bryant. The LOA’s state that the items are all authentic and have been in the Bryant family’s possession until being consigned to auction. Goldin Auctions will also be issuing a LOA with each item guaranteeing its authenticity as well as its origin.