One of the few pairs of goggles that the late Moses Malone wore during his NBA career will hit the auction block Monday.
Goldin Auctions founder Ken Goldin said he obtained the item from the three-time league MVP himself, just days before Malone died suddenly at the age of 60 on Sept. 13.
"The goggles are really an extension of himself, that he wore every game," said Goldin, who grew up idolizing Malone as a Sixers fan.
Goldin said Malone was impressed by some of the prices fetched at auction on items of ex-NBA players. When the goggles came up in conversation, Goldin said Malone conveyed to him that he wore only a couple of pairs throughout his career. A letter signed by Malone attaches the particular pair in the auction, which closes Nov. 14, to three seasons (1986-1988) with the Washington Bullets.
Goldin estimates the goggles to be worth about $20,000, which would surpass the price paid at auction for any of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's goggles ($1,500-$9,000). A pair of Amelia Earhart aviator goggles sold for $17,775 in 2011.
Malone played from 1974 to 1995, most notably with the 76ers, who he helped to win a title in 1983.
Goldin's auction also includes the jersey Michael Jordan wore for his final regular-season home game with the Chicago Bulls on April 18, 1998, when he scored 44 points against the New York Knicks.
"It is the most significant Jordan item ever to be offered for public sale or auction," Goldin said. "I am actually shocked it wasn't set aside for the Hall of Fame or at least the Chicago sports museum."
