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Heritage Auctions is giving sports fan the chance to purchase Michael Jordan’s 1986 game-worn and signed Air Jordan 1, that was specially-altered for the Basketball legend himself. As part of the Winter Platinum Night Sports Auction, the bidding will take place from February 26-27 on the Heritage Auctions website.
The entire auction includes a roster of different Jordan memorabilia, but all eyes are set on the 1986 Air Jordan 1 that Michael Jordan wore during a game in Milwaukee. The sneakers and signature are certified authentic, both of which are photo-matched. These shoes not only honor Jordan’s legendary career, but they memorialize the iconic Chicago Bulls franchise.
This sneaker is aged to perfection as the premium leather shows subtle fading with hints of cracked leather around the ankle collar. This Air Jordan 1 comes ready in the classic “Chicago” colorway, the sneaker that changed it all. Based on the photo match from April 1, 1986, Jordan wore these sneakers while he was still nursing a broken foot that he had suffered in late October. Because of this, these sneakers were slightly altered from their standard format to reduce the threat to Jordan’s healing bones, trading out the standard soles for samples that were used on Nike Dunk models, which were both softer and wider.
Each interior ankle is marked with factory coding in white printed text reading “13 860304STPS,” which every Air Jordan expert can translate to size thirteen, produced between March and April of 1986, with “ST” denoting the site of production and “PS” standing for “Player Sample,” letters found only in shoes made for Jordan himself.
Considering that these sneakers are still in good condition, it’s believed that these shoes were worn for only a handful of games. However, these sneakers were worn during the season that Jordan would claim his first scoring title, with a career-best average of 37.1 points per game, which would be the first of 10 seasons as the NBA’s most legendary offensive player. This Air Jordan 1 is finished with Jordan’s signature on the side of the sneaker in black ballpoint ink.
The auction for Michael Jordan’s 1986 game-worn Air Jordan 1 begins on February 26th, with bidding closing the next day. To enter, visit the Heritage Auction website. For more sports history and memorabilia, follow @NiceKicksVault on Instagram.
