This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/3/2013
On November 17th, 1996, our consignor’s 11 year old son was selected to serve as the 49’ers ballboy during the game. Led by Elvis Grbac, the 49ers beat the Baltimore Ravens at Candlestick Park by a score of 38-20. A rookie Ray Lewis watched as Jerry Rice wore this jersey to catch a touchdown pass from Grbac in the 2nd quarter to give the 49ers a 17-7 lead.
Our consignor’s father was a California Union Representative and through his connections with the team, helped procure his son the job for day. He vividly remembers picking up his son after the game, who was smiling ear to ear as he ran through the players’ parking lot to his awaiting car, with his prized possession draped over his shoulder. “He was walking on cloud nine”, the consignor explained as he recalled the day his son obtained the jersey.
Accompanying this lot is a signed letter by the consignor explaining how his son obtained the jersey. In part it reads,
“This 1996 Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers Home Game Worn Jersey was used on November 17th, 1996 vs. the Baltimore Ravens. The jersey was given directly to my son after the game by the 49ers equipment manager. My son told me it was a token of appreciation for a job well done. The jersey was given to my son immediately after the game, and remained unlaundered in its original condition as last worn by Jerry Rice. Several stains are found on the shoulder numerals and both the front and back numerals. Jerry Rice wore this jersey to catch a touchdown during the game.” A signed letter of provenance will accompany this lot, signed by our consignor, the recipient’s father.
MEARS Auction inspected the jersey and verified the jersey was supplied by Reebok, the correct supplier of the team during 1996. Size 48 is found in the collar, and again is correct for Jerry Rice game worn jerseys during the 1996 season. Both sleeves are customized (cuffed) per Jerry Rice’s request. The bottom has been cut short and hemmed, and is verified via an accompanying photo of Rice during the game.
On the left front is the 49ers 50th anniversary patch. Jersey exhibits heavy overall game wear, with additional wear noted on the numerals and shoulder area. One of the finest examples ever examined by MEARS, and the only 1996 50th Anniversary jersey seen by our company. This jersey is fresh to the hobby, and has never been publicly offered. It has remained in the possession of the ballboy since receiving it on November 17, 1996.
Final Grade (MEARS A10). LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS Auctions
(55I0493)
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS