The eyes of many collectors shone brightly on Sunday in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Hauts-de-Seine), during the first auction of the sports department of Aguttes. Created 50 years ago in Clermont-Ferrand, the company was, among other things, responsible for the valuation and sale of the remarkable collection of Mr. G., a 78-year-old Swiss business manager who preferred to remain anonymous. .
78,000 euros for Evander Holyfield’s WBA belt
Started at the end of the 90s, it included more than 150 emblematic objects, including a WBA world boxing championship belt, won in 1996 in Las Vegas by Evander Holyfield against Mike Tyson. Priced at 40,000 euros, it was sold to a telephone bidder for almost double (78,000 euros).
“In the United States, we see maybe one every three or four years. In France, we had never seen one before,” notes François Thierry, sports expert at Aguttes.
Prices have soared on many lots, from the jersey worn by English footballer Bobby Moore during the quarter-final of the 1970 World Cup against the GDR (29,900 euros) to that of Luis Fernandez during the legendary France-Brazil in Guadalajara in 1986 (18,200), passing by a racket of tennis player Arthur Ashe (also 18,200) or that of Roger Federer during the final of Wimbledon 2005 (22,100).
Prizes for enthusiasts of our regions
Among the lots from Mr. G.’s collection, the Saint-Étienne jersey worn by the Swiss Christophe Ohrel during the 1995-1996 season, estimated between 50 and 100 euros, was sold for 260 euros.
The emblematic ex-Strasbourg goalkeeper, José-Luis Chilavert was also in the spotlight: the auctions for his Velez Sarfield jersey and his gloves signed by the Paraguayan selection soared well beyond the estimates of the house of sale, at 790 and 910 euros respectively.
In other collections, the embroidered pennant of Olympique Lyonnais during the 2004 Champions Trophy fetched 240 euros, whereas it was estimated at between only 15 and 30 euros.
Finally, a framed and numbered poster of the Albertville Winter Olympics was purchased for 289 euros.
Popular basketball
Among the many disciplines represented, basketball was a great success, like this Chicago Bulls tunic signed and worn in an advertisement by Michael Jordan, sold for 20,800 euros, more than double its initial estimate ( between 8,000 and 10,000).
“We don’t often have objects like this on the French market, with such well-known names, so it was clearly a hit,” explains François Thierry. “Cycling remains more confidential but there are a lot of collectors, so it still worked well. On the other hand, and we knew this, the tennis market is a little weaker at the moment. »
More than 400 registered, 82% of lots sold
The auction brought together more than 400 participants in total. “We had quite a lot of coverage, with bidders from all over the world, by telephone and on six live platforms », notes Maximilien Aguttes, transformation and development director of the house.
“There is an already existing sports market in England and the United States, we arrive in a very humble way, with the desire in recent years to accelerate on the collectibles (collectibles, editor’s note). »
The profile of the bidders
Maximilien Aguttes: “We have profiles of all ages, mainly men. There’s a pretty healthy mix of enthusiasts and investors, the necessary ingredients to build something that’s not just speculative. Cis very encouraging. »
François Thierry: “Many of them are specialists, pure collectors. But there are also some investors and people who had fun – because it reminds them of a memory – especially on small lots. We almost felt a “Christmas shopping” effect, some had come for a photo to frame for example. »
“For a first sale, we are really happy. We sold 82% of the lots, which is quite exceptional. Obviously, not all the very large prizes went away otherwise it would have been perfect,” adds François Thierry.
The jerseys of Pelé, Maradona and Ronaldo did not find a buyer
Somewhat to everyone’s surprise, jerseys autographed by Pelé and Diego Maradona, or the one worn by Ronaldo on July 12, 1998, did not find a buyer.
“Normally, it works very well. But these are often foreign buyers, who are not necessarily available all the time. Some reserve prices were perhaps a little high. And then there are also a lot of fakes, so I think there is always a distrust for people who are not in the theater,” analyzes François Thierry.
For these exceptional pieces, over-the-counter negotiations are still possible this week.
Senegal
