REPORTAGE – The world champion belt of boxer Evander Holyfield, the legendary jerseys of Pelé, Ronaldo and Diego Maradona, a Roger Federer racket… Sunday December 15, the Aguttes house organized its first auction dedicated to sport, which will have won over the (vast) majority of buyers with its unique collection.
By Sébastien Vau, at La maison Aguttes
Sport unleashes passions… and wallets. Sunday December 15, in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts-de-Seine), Aguttes dedicated its very first auction to the world of sport. 215 exceptional lots, accumulated over more than 20 years by a certain 78-year-old Swiss entrepreneur, Mr. G., who notably sponsored major sporting events, were presented to around thirty interested parties present on site, by telephone, and also to more than 400 registered live on platforms all over the world (United States, Canada, Asia, etc.). This assortment of sublime pieces, representing up to ten sports (football, basketball, boxing, handball, tennis, rugby, hockey, skiing, cycling and athletics), ranging from jerseys of legendary footballers like Pelé, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi headliners, shoes worn by Michael Jordan or a racket of Roger Federer, was estimated at almost half a million euros, with estimates ranging between 50 and… 80,000 euros.
All the biggest names in the history of sport were there
So there was enough to satisfy (a lot of) people. Among the buyers, mainly men, ranging from 25 to over 60 years old, all profiles were present. Alexandre, 28, has been collecting the jerseys of his favorite club, PSG, since 2011. The Parisian has no less than 80 tunics from the capital club, all “historic” and old. The Parc des Princes regular looked out of the corner of his eye at a jersey worn by former France team player Luis Fernandez (60 caps, 6 goals) during the quarter-final of the 1986 World Cup won by the Blues on penalties against Brazil. But the initial estimate of the product (5,000 – 10,000 euros) really cooled the accountant who preferred to abstain. “I’ll pass this time… It’s not a PSG jersey anyway (laughs). I’m not going to buy anything. I also came to see these exceptional pieces. As a collector, it’s a real pleasure to see this!»
I couldn’t miss these unusual sporting objects. We had to mark the occasion.
Vincent, collector.
But there are some who (really) were not afraid, like Vincent, a 40-year-old from Clermont, who came to Paris as part of this XXL auction. “I come from a family of collectors! It’s from generation to generation. My parents have been amassing cars for years, I couldn’t miss out on these unusual sporting objects. We had to mark the occasion.» And the Auvergnat did not give up by acquiring a basketball signed by all the players of the Dream Team USA of the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, the starting price of which was 2,000 euros, as well as a set of four athletic photographs. All for 12,000 euros. “I wanted Michael Jordan’s jersey but it was too expensive, that’s why I decided», admitted Vincent, with a smile on his face, author of the eighth highest transaction of the sale.
Sébastien Vau.
Unsurprisingly, the world champion belt of American boxer Evander Holyfield, obtained after his victory against Mike Tyson in 1996 in Las Vegas, estimated at 60,000 euros on average, was the most expensive purchase, to the tune of no less of… 78,000 euros. Also eagerly awaited, the jersey of “King Pelé” did not find a buyer, because the latter “was not on the back of the Brazilian in the match and was only used for an advertisement“. Cruel, the same goes for the (beautiful) lock of hair and the legendary tunic of Diego Maradona, worn by “El Pibe de Oro” during the 1986 World Cup won by Argentina. The latter, signed by his hand, with gold what’s more, but judged “too expensive» by those interested. Same fate for Ronaldo Nazario’s jersey, on the shoulders of the Seleçao striker on July 12, 1998, date of the World Cup final between France and Brazil, which was estimated between 40,000 and 80,000 euros. Conversely, the women’s doubles trophy of the XXII Copa Jorge Satrustegui in tennis went for “only” 39 euros, with an initial value between 20 and 50 euros. The lowest transaction of the sale.
The Aguttes house, precursor of sports auctions in France
The racket of the legendary Swiss tennis player Roger Federer, which allowed him to win in the 2005 Wimbledon final against Andy Roddick, judged between 10,000 and 15,000 euros initially, was sold for 22,100 euros and ranks third best seller . A jersey of footballer Bobby Moore, used by the Englishman during the 1970 World Cup, does even better with its 29,900 euros spent. Quite simply the second biggest transaction of the event. Two other jerseys also made waves during this auction. That of the famous basketball player Michael Jordan, worn by the American during a Nike advertisement in 1993, sold for 20,800 euros, more than double its first price, and one of the eight-time Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, used by the Argentinian number 10 during the 2004-2005 season with FC Barcelona, purchased for 12,480 euros while its estimate was between 4,000 and 8,000 euros.
This auction is a success for the new department. We aim to organize two per year. This is something that we will try to develop in France and in Europe.
François Thierry, sports expert at Aguttes.
Very popular pieces and prices, which have therefore, for the most part, skyrocketed, symptomatic of a successful auction. “We were offered this collection and, honestly, we couldn’t say no (laughs). The sport enjoys great notoriety, with communication that continues to evolve, particularly on social networks. This sale perfectly inaugurated our department dedicated to sports. It’s important to anchor these pieces a little more in history», explains the director of the house Maximilien Aguttes.
His right-hand man, François Thierry, sports expert, sees a bright future for future sports resales. “This is a success for this new department. We aim to organize two per year. The vast majority of our buyers are between 500 and 5,000 euros. For more expensive items, it’s more complicated. In the United States, there are many collectors who do not hesitate to go up to 20-25,000. That’s the difference with here. But it’s something that we will try to develop in France and in Europe. This is very encouraging for the future.» Indeed, 82% of the collection was liquidated after four hours of auctioning. For items that have not found a buyer, they will still be on sale at Aguttes until Christmas. A gift idea (maybe)?
Sébastien Vau.