Auction Item Details
Lot 277
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Lot Number: 277
Description: Exceptional Jim Brown Cleveland Browns professional model jersey c.1962-65. Jim Brown's relatively brief career of nine years as a running back with the Cleveland Browns concluded abruptly at the age of 30 when he walked away from the game at the pinnacle of his abilities. The records he amassed during that period are staggering: 12,312 rushing yards; 15,459 combined yards; four-time MVP award winner; and Pro Bowl team member for each of his nine seasons. While Brown's statistical accomplishments are notable, his style of play is arguably his most storied attribute. Jim Brown delivered a flat out punishment to opposing teams, brutalizing their defenses. Opposing players and coaching staff alike would plan to key in on Brown, but to no avail. He seemingly welcomed the challenge and excelled in every aspect of the game. Widely regarded as the finest player in NFL history, offerings of Brown's game worn materials rarely occur and are highly significant. The origins of the offered jersey can be traced to the Cleveland Browns longtime trainer, Leo Murphy, who became the football team's head athletic trainer in 1950. He had previously worked as an athletic trainer for the Chicago Rockets and the New York Yankees of the All-American Conference before joining the Browns. This specific jersey was obtained directly by Leo Murphy's son, Martin Murphy, in the mid 1960s. Young Martin Murphy worked for the Cleveland Browns at their training camps in Hiram, Ohio. One of his duties before the rookies and the returning veterans reported for camp was to unpack all of the equipment and sort it out for each individual player. In a detailed letter of provenance from Martin Murphy, which is included with the lot, Murphy notes that when Jim Brown suddenly announced his retirement from the NFL, he was instructed to pack up all of Brown's equipment. Some of the items were sent directly to the National Football Hall of Fame, and Murphy retained the offered jersey for himself. In 1986, Martin Murphy donated the jersey to a charity auction to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research. It should be noted that while most NFL jerseys from this period were constructed of a durene material, the offered shirt is a lighter weight material, which has been documented to have been used in summer practice and early season warm weather games for NFL teams at the time. Furthermore, the use of cotton jerseys of this type was prevalent during the late 1950s and early 1960s. The shirt retains its original "32" on front, back and both sleeves with appropriate "puckering" to the corresponding interior material from wash wear/shrinkage. The sleeve numerals were mandated by the league once television coverage came into prominence. The jersey displays classic Browns striping on each sleeve fashioned in a brown/orange/brown/orange pattern exhibiting age and color fading indicative of very heavy use, sun exposure and more notably, wash wear. The notable difference in the tonality of the striping versus the coloring of the striping on Cleveland Browns durene jerseys is also, in part, due to the lighter weight of the offered shirt, its susceptibility to fading from wash/sun, and the cotton's interaction with the colors in the striping. The shirt itself shows incredible usage characteristics indicating very heavy use inclusive of no less then (12) team repairs, a un-repaired 2" tear/hole on the back, soiling evidence and general surface wear. The original crotch flap was cut away in the period (this has been seen on other documented Jim Brown jerseys) with the original (6) buttons remaining affixed to the front of the jersey. Overall appearance is very fine, with strong wear appropriate to Brown's style of play, while retaining an unrestored visual eye appeal deserving of a piece of this rarity and significance. The current offering is the first time this jersey has been offered at auction to the collecting public. Highly desirable and significant jersey dating to the final period in Jim Brown's storied career. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions and a detailed typewritten letter of provenance from Martin Murphy: VG-EX
Estimated Price: ($20,000.00-$30,000.00)
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