Big $$$ GU Dick Butkus Lid...

[aeneas01]

http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?a...t&CurrentRow=1

mastro will be offering what appears to be a beautiful game used dick butkus helmet circa 1971 which, imo, is sure to fetch a nice amount - the starting bid is $5k. i've asked jim at mastro several questions about this helmet and have found him to be nothing short of extremely professional and prompt with his responses.

the first question i asked jim was if could tell me what the date clock (manufacturer's date stamp) inside the helmet indicated given this info (which i regarded as rather important for obvious reasons) was not mentioned in mastro's item description. the very next day he contacted me to say that the date stamp did indeed read 1971 - mastro has since modified their item description, as noted in red on the lot's web page, to reflect this.

i also asked jim if he could tell me the helmet size, which is stamped on the suspension webbing, given the number(s) appear to be very faded and difficult to make out in the photo. jim replied that there was no size on the helmet. frankly, i don't think i made myself clear enough to jim because a number can definitely be seen - i emailed him again on this matter.

the reason the helmet size is important to me is because i was lucky enough to meet mr. butkus several times in the early 80s and, let me tell ya, the guy is huge and has a huge head. he's not the tallest guy in the world, but when you look at him from the side and see the distance from his back to his chest, all i can say it becomes very clear that you would never want to be on the receiving end of one his bone-crunching hits! he's a walking fridge!

because of my serious interest in this helmet and what it would most likely cost me to obtain, i also decided to also try and contact mr. butkus directly and get his opinion - he has a website through which he receives messages. while i was very surprised and happy with the next-day response to my inquiry, i wasn't particularly encouraged by the response:

===================

Sent: Friday, July 20, 2007 8:50 AM
Subject: RE: Dick Butkus Web Contact

Here is Mr. Butkus response.

I would tell him what bothers me is where the "51" is located. I don't remember it being under the webbing.

Thanks
Becky Batista
Mounted Memories
954-742-8544

===================

while this response might not equate to mr. butkus's testimony that the helmet in question never belonged to him, it's certainly a far cry from:

"yes, i can tell you with a great deal of confidence that this helmet appears to be one that i wore when i played with the bears - i see nothing that would cause me to believe otherwise."

which would have been very nice to see considering the dollars invloved. nonetheless it's a great looking lid and mastro has been extremely proficient in fielding all questions i've had regarding it in a very timely, professional manner.

[earlywynnfan]

and don't forget: it comes with a Lampson LOA!!

[aeneas01]

here's a photo of the "51" that "bothered" mr. butkus...

[aeneas01]

looks like the lid sold for $10k before +++

http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?a...t&CurrentRow=1

[beantown]

Looks like this helmet is back on the auction circuit....

http://vintageauthentics.at.truition...aunbr=89335174

[kingjammy24]

am i seeing things or has someone traced over the 51?



rudy.

[b.heagy]

am i seeing things or has someone traced over the 51?



rudy.

Good Eye Rudy. Definate trace over.

[David]

I think there might be more glare/shine in the top pic, causing the writing to appear relatively lighter.

[B1SON]

As a Bears fan, I truely appreciate that lid!

[aeneas01]

Looks like this helmet is back on the auction circuit....

http://vintageauthentics.at.truition...aunbr=89335174

yeah, i just noticed that as well - it was listed by mastro when i first came across it and it sold for 10k+. what i've always found interesting is that when nice lids like this surface they always seem to have belonged to hall of fame or star players - i mean how many helmets belonging no-name chicago bears players from the butkus era ever seem to make it auction? sure, i've seen some authentic "game used" vintage helmets at auction which aren't linked to any big-name players but, imo, their numbers seem extremely disproportionately low when compared to those belonging to star players.

as far as the listed butkus lid is concerned, it could only be from the '71 or '72 season given the date stamp and given that the bears went to a different logo in '73 (butkus's last year). did it ever belong to butkus? who knows. but i do agree with the other poster as far as the "51" written inside of the lid is concerned - most likely caused by lighting/glare.

btw, the vintage auctions item description elaborated a little more when compared to the mastro item description - it states that the "51" written inside the helmet on the riddell sticker "matches known exemplars". can any forum helmet collectors confirm this? apparently it didn't strike butkus as the norm or memorable. i own two vintage chicago bears helmets and both have the player's number written on an orange piece of tape...