In March of this year, Robert Edward Auctions revealed the highlights of their annual Spring auction. While REA typically specializes in baseball, it was startling to note that a game worn Don Hutson jersey would be offered among the comparatively modest amount of football lots. As far as anyone can tell, this is only the fourth Hutson Packers jersey extant, and the only one available for placement in a private collection. The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton has one, and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is in possession of the other two.
The last Hutson jersey to surface was in 2005, when this one was generously donated to the Packers Hall of Fame.
At the time, the value of this jersey was appraised at $17,500, which I thought was far too low. The hammer price of the REA Hutson bears this out.
Final bid: $60,000. With the buyer's premium added, the final price was $70,500.
Within the realm of football jerseys, only a few others have been hammered down at higher prices. Among them:
Circa 1916-17 Jim Thorpe Canton Bulldogs jersey $242,000 (Lelands 12/04)
1959 Johnny Unitas game worn Baltimore Colts jersey and pants $79, 315.37 (Lelands 4/06)
1962-65 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns jersey $70,500 (REA 2008)
Expensive? Without a doubt. Worth it? Consider this:
Expensive? Without a doubt. Worth it? Consider this:
Hutson is clearly recognized as being one of the greatest pro players ever, and is often cited as one of the two greatest receivers, along with Jerry Rice.
Also: Has there been an NFL player since who has dominated his contemporaries to the extent that Hutson did? Perhaps Jim Brown, but that is a very, very short list.
The auction listing can be found here, along with the explanation of the fine provenance.
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