SCP Auctions, Inc.
Timed Auction

Winter Premier Auction 2017

Wed, Jan 4, 2017 04:00PM EST - Sat, Jan 21, 2017 11:00PM EST
Lot 834

1961 ORLANDO FERRANTE SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (AFL) GAME WORN HOME JERSEY WITH (3) INCLUDED PHOTO-MATCHES (RARE)

Sold for
$3,340.80
Sold Price includes BP

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$200,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000
$1,500,000 $150,000
Rare does not begin to describe the jersey featured in this lot. It also provides a nice history lesson on the San Diego Chargers franchise. In 1960 the Los Angeles Chargers were a charter member of the American Football League. They moved to San Diego in ’61 and won the AFC title in ’63. The starting Left Guard on the inaugural 1960 L.A. and ’61 San Diego squads was Orlando Ferrante who played his college ball at USC. This vintage specimen was game-worn by Ferrante during the team’s first season in San Diego including the 1961 AFL Championship game at Balboa Stadium in San Diego as the Houston Oilers defeated the Chargers 10-3. Following his brief pro football career Ferrante became a highly successful engineering executive at Walt Disney for 40 years.

The vintage durene home gamer in Charger blue has Ferrante’s No. “68” in embroidered white-on-yellow all-original numbers sewn on the front and back as well as the sleeves. The iconic Bolts logo is stitched to white stripes on both shoulders. The sleeve ends appear to have been cut to the player’s specifications. As far as tagging only the washing instructions remain sewn just inside the front shirttail. The jersey was originally designed with a button pocket and onesie crotch but it has been customized to Ferrante's preference with the pocket removed and crotch flap folded up and sewn inside. Game wear is prevalent throughout this gem with significant stretching contact marks puckering and slight tearing to the numbers and heavy pilling in the durene material. There is an area behind the left shoulder where tugging and pulling have left a few minor rips and tears. Looking inside this area it appears that previous team repairs did not hold up. None of this excessive use does anything to detract from the classic beauty of the jersey and it remains in ideal shape for one lucky collector.

The consignor is one of the most passionate and knowledgeable San Diego Chargers collectors in the hobby. He has provided three photo-matches including a 1961 team photograph (12” by 18”) and two 8” by 10” photos. The Bolts logo on his left shoulder lines up perfectly with the front upper horizontal pleat line allowing for a conclusive match. By all accounts this is the earliest Chargers jersey known to exist originally given to a season ticket holder sometime in 1962. Most if not all 1960 L.A. and 1961 San Diego Chargers game jerseys were later recycled as practice jerseys before being disposed of.

Payment for your invoice must clear in full prior to shipping. All items will be shipped from SCP Auctions’ Laguna Niguel, CA office in the order that payments are received. Please allow up to three business days following clearance of payment for items to ship. All items will be shipped UPS/FedEx Ground unless you contact us to discuss an alternative shipping method. If you would like your items shipped in a different method, such as UPS/FedEx Next Day or UPSFedEx 2-Day, you must contact our Post Sale Services Manager Veronica Rodriguez by emailing customerservice@scpauctions.com to discuss alternative shipping instructions. Prior to bidding, please be aware of estimated shipping costs, especially for large or heavy lots. You may contact SCP Auctions for any shipping estimates lots you are bidding on or interested in bidding on. If you intend to pick up your items in person at the SCP Auctions office, please call us to schedule. Payment must clear prior to items being available for pick-up.