Elgin Baylor insists his intention to auction off hundreds of memorabilia spanning his 14-year career as a Laker had nothing to do with any financial troubles.
Instead, he insisted it had everything to do with wanting to donate a portion of the proceeds to various charities that he wants to keep private. Whatever the case, Baylor’s memorabilia appeared to be in high demand when he auctioned them off Friday at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills.
Baylor’s 1971-71 NBA championship ring boasted a $40,000 starting price. It ended at $132,000. Baylor listed his 1959 NBA All-Star Game MVP Trophy to be worth at least $1,000. It sold for $43,750. The famed Lakers listed his NBA 50 Greatest Players Signed Lithograph at $300 and 50 Greatest Players ring to be worth at least $30,000. They were bought for $53,125 each.
No one compiled more of Baylor’s memorabilia than David Kohler, the president of SCP Auctions. He successfully bid on 40 pieces of Baylor’s collection, including Baylor’s championship ring, his Lakers’ warm-up suit ($21,250) and jacket ($20,000) as well as his NBA All-Star game trophies spanning 1959 ($9,375) and 1969 ($10,000).
“As the gatekeeper of the most extensive collection of Lakers memorabilia – ‘The Laker Shrine’ – it is an honor and a thrill to be able to add some of Elgin Baylor’s Lakers memorabilia to the collection,” Kohler said in a statement. “Elgin has always been one of my all-time favorite players of the many Laker greats. These items represent a treasure trove from the career of one of the most outstanding players in Los Angeles Lakers and NBA history.”
Other highlights of the auction included his Basketball Hall of Fame Certificate of Election ($12,800), game worn Bronzed shoes ($8,750), the Elgin Baylor Night Los Angeles Lakers Presented Chair sold ($11,875) and his NBA Career Highlights Plaque ($10,625).
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