How do i put a value on a rare jersey?

[deerhunter]

It's one of two jerseys out there (the other sold for $9,700) of this particular model that Young wore in '94, this one however comes with a fan's dream story, plus it has a special L.O.A. unlike anything else I've ever seen. Do I use that same 9,700 for a base figure, add maybe 25 percent more to that for the story and then add maybe another 25 percent more for the letter? 17K can't be right. What's a one of a kind jersey go for these days? I am putting it out there after all this time and I don't want to under estimate its value, it has great prominence. I can start at the beginning and share the whole story here as it's a good one.



The history of Steve and Curt goes back to their teen years when they were door to door mission brothers (Mormons), my trying to now share with words their closeness growing up together would likely not bring their friendship justice I think, let's just say they are life long buds. In 1994 Steve was fighting with the monkey on his back from past seasons (so he elected to once again break out with his secret weapon) and so on 1/15/95 Steve had Curt Hughes in tow. Steve gave Curt nice midfield seats for the infamous NFC Championship Game against Dallas and of course they won (his secret plan worked) the game. There was personal on field drama between the two of them that day but it gets real exciting during the post-game celebration in the locker room. Curt ends up meeting all Steve's teammates that day in the locker room during the post game celebration, as Steve walked him around introducing him to each player one at a time while carrying this ball with him the whole time. Each player signed that ball and when done he walked Curt over to his locker, pulled out a jersey he'd saved from 8/5/94, puts a great autograph on it and gives it to him (and the ball). There's much more to the story obviously but you get the idea, any fan's dream day. And the best part is, it was all a surprise for Curt. If you plug into Youtube: “49ers win NFC Championship vs Cowboys” you may even find the 15 second clip of Steve's “victory lap” when he runs over to the seats he'd given to Curt and expresses his profound joy of that victory. This is the moment just after the big win and just before Steve has Curt escorted to Candlestick's home locker room to receive this jersey and such. The richness of this story and their history is worthy of an author’s attention, I believe in Steve's mind it was a special gift with a personal meaning.

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The reason I ended up with it is because I was involved with successfully helping Curt restructure his new car dealership in '90/'91, which he'd inherited from Bill Hughes his dad the year before, an out of date business model. I really enjoyed working with such an honorable man (they're hard to find in that business) and of course Steve would occasionally come to visit Curt there. In '97 I wanted to special order a diesel 4x4 dually, so naturally I went to Manteca to visit Curt Hughes Dodge, but when I picked up my order this jersey was in the back of the club cab. I saw Curt when I went in for warranty work later and asked him to ask Steve to send me something on it, I got a letter of Authenticity from his foundation in the mail later stating he'd worn it in 1994, since then it's spent most of the last 17 years in a storage unit (I'm married). My recent research indicates that this Letter of Authenticity from the Forever Young Foundation is a very unique piece. Turns out to be rare actually. Steve has a nice embossed logo on his foundation's letterhead, and it states 'This letter certifies that this is an official 75th year NFL game jersey personally worn by Steve Young for the San Francisco 49ers during the year of 1994 when he was named Super Bowl MVP. Executive Assistant Shamberlin Young Forever Young Foundation. Address, phone, website. I also learned recently that there is no other jersey ever worn by Steve that is identical to this one (its patch placement is slightly offset, changed after that first preseason game vs. Arizona), so it really is a one of a kind jersey. Giving an indication of just how popular this particular model is, the one other game worn jersey of this iconic anniversary throwback model he wore in game 2 vs Kansas City in '94 sold last year at goldinauctions for over $9,500.

This jersey has incredible prominence. Maybe more than any other out there. It was given to Steve's best friend on 1/15/95 post game in the 49ers locker room in what very well could be the best 49er's fan dream jersey gift story ever. This unique jersey, story and LOA may really be one of a kind. I feel it's time to have someone show and tell it, so it is coming out of storage and will soon be enjoying its new accommodations. I'd like to do what I can to find it the best new owner and help him know as much of its history as possible so that he can get the excitement to spread this year. I may be able to ask Curt to personally relay the details of this jersey's story, and it's not impossible that he would even do a conference call with Steve for a complete rehash of their history. But that all comes after finding it a home, so who can tell me what is the retail number on a piece like this one?

[Jags Fan Dan]

Consign it to Golden. It will get top dollar.

[Jags Fan Dan]

I know it's "Goldin", but my auto correct does not.

[deerhunter]

Thanks Dan for the reply, i am hoping to have a value set on it from someone who is impartial and who knows more about this stuff than me. Because it was a gift, selling it (especially auctioning it) might be considered improper. I doubt Curt would care but if my mom ever found out, yikes. If i traded it for something i can use, like a cool old sailboat that i can work on, that should be kosher for all. But is it a 5K sailboat or more like 10K i have here, that is what i hope someone knowledgeable can tell me. If it helps to find the right number it's available for inspection in oregon or i have more pics anytime.

[commando]

Here's the link to a recent Goldin Auction that sold a very similar 1994 Steve Young jersey, with ironclad provenance.

http://goldinauctions.com/historic__..._-lot2869.aspx

[danesei@yahoo.com]

I'm curious about why the letter isn't signed. One would think that an LOA would be easily copied/forged without a signature on it. You'd just need a high resolution copier and a laser printer, I'd think, unless the paper has a watermark.

In any case, I think the provenance coming from the team would carry slightly more value than coming from a player charity. I know that might sound stupid, but it just seems like you'd be slightly up the custodial ladder, since the normal consideration is that an item directly from a team or player is considered first person provenance. I think coming from a player charity might be tier 1a or tier 2.

[danesei@yahoo.com]

Anyway, to the value of the item, the way I'd assume the value is the price that the under-bidder offered before the buyer's premium is added. There is some degree of psychology involved here, where a buyer may not have been willing to pay $9500, if that were the price, but would be willing to bid $7500 and accept the $2000 as a cost of business type thing.

Personally, given that it's the second one to hit the market, and not directly from the team, I'd say you're probably in the $5000-$8000 neighborhood, not the $17000 neighborhood that you were guessing.

[deerhunter]

[QUOTE=danesei@yahoo.com;365053]I'm curious about why the letter isn't signed. One would think that an LOA would be easily copied/forged without a signature on it. You'd just need a high resolution copier and a laser printer, I'd think, unless the paper has a watermark.



It has a raised embossed letterhead logo and address, i do not think you can fake it.

Have you ever seen anything like it before?

[deerhunter]

Anyway, to the value of the item, the $5000-$8000 neighborhood.

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Thanks for the strait answer dansei.

Is there any disagreement?

[commando]

<altered>


Thanks for the strait answer dansei.

Is there any disagreement?

Because of your post, be ready for people to start sending money and trade offers you way. The jersey is of course worth what someone is willing to pay for it -- and there are indeed collectors out there with deep pockets. There's probably some millionaire Steve Young fan in Utah, who graduated from BYU, that would write you a nice check without thinking twice... But how do you find this guy?

I have learned that proper marketing is the key to selling high-dollar items, especially if you're not in a rush to sell the item by tomorrow. I have no ties to Goldin Auctions, but I would highly recommend them if you're looking to get full market value... Whatever that might be.