A jersey worn by famed Cubs infielder Ernie Banks was posted by an online auction company last week, and the seller hopes it fetches more than the six-figure sums two other Banks jerseys sold for in recent years.
The auction company, SCP Auctions, hopes the final bid will top the $169,000 sale of a 1969 Banks jersey that sold online in 2012.
The company sold another 1969 Banks jersey for $151,652 in 2014.
The most recent jersey went on the online auction block Wednesday. Bids will be accepted through through Dec. 5 at www.scpauctions.com.
It is “impeccably preserved,” according to the California-based auction house.
Banks gave the jersey to Anahis Hartz, who met Banks while conducting blood tests on the baseball star at an oncology lab in 1964, where the two hit it off and became pals. Hartz and her husband, Dr. Wilson Hartz — who live in Barrington Hills — would occasionally host Banks at their lakefront home in Wisconsin.
Banks stated that he wore the uniform when he was 39 years old during the 1969 pennant race. Up until September of 2015, the jersey remained in the same garment bag in which Banks delivered it.
“We certainly expect it will clear $100,000,” Terry Melia, a spokesman for the auction company, told the Sun-Times.
Banks jerseys very rare because many were cut up, and pieces of the fabric were included in packs of baseball cards.
