Lou Gehrig’s Yankees jersey to beat $800,000?

The New York Yankees jersey Lou Gehrig wore in an iconic photograph from 1937 will cross the block at Heritage Auctions.

It’s set to lead the Platinum Night sports memorabilia sale on August 19-20.

Lou Gehrig jersey

The jersey was used for training by minor league teams after Gehrig's retirement

The shirt is valued in excess of $800,000 ahead of the sale, a sum that would surpass the record $717,000 paid for a 1927-1928 Gehrig jersey in 2013. 

The photograph was used as the basis for Gehrig’s bronze memorial plaque, which stands in Monument Park in Yankee Stadium and is visited by tens of thousands of visitors a year.

The 1937 season was Gehrig’s last before he developed ALS, which swiftly put an end to his career.

Gehrig plaque

The iconic photograph of Lou Gehrig that inspired his plaque 

His tearful farewell to the massed crowds at the original Yankee stadium in 1938 is one of the moving moments in sporting history.

After his retirement, this jersey had the Yankees logo removed and was given to a farm team. Interestingly, Gehrig’s number (4) was retained.  

The logo has since been restored, along with the left sleeve – both cannibalised from another 1937 shirt.

Baseball memorabilia is the main focus of the sale, but other sports do get a look in.

The driver Arnold Palmer used to win the 1961 British Open is featured with a valuation of more than $80,000.

Demand for pieces associated with Palmer is at fever pitch. In April a putter that clinched him the 1964 Masters realised a massive $97,000.

Click here to check out our remarkable selection of sports memorabilia for sale.

Please sign up to our free newsletter to receive exciting news about sports memorabilia auctions.

Featured products

Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Elvis Presley Authentic Strand of Hair
Sale price£399
In stock
Fidel Castro signed certificateFidel Castro Signed Certificate
Fidel Castro signed certificate
Sale price£2,995
In stock
King Henry VIII Autographed DocumentKing Henry VIII Autographed Document
King Henry VIII Autographed Document
Sale price£55,000
In stock