Auction News | All | Sports memorabilia

Julien’s Auctions to offer The Pele Collection in London


A remarkable collection of memorabilia spanning the career of football legend Pelé will be offered at auction in London later this year.
This summer Julien’s Auctions will host Pelé: THE COLLECTION, featuring more than 2,000 items from the most iconic player in the sport’s history.

"Having donated a significant portion of my collection to the City of Santos, I have decided to allow fans and collectors to own a piece of my history as well," said Pelé in a statement.

"I hope they treasure these artefacts and share my story with their children and generations to come. I will also be donating a portion of the proceeds from the auction to Pequeno Principe, the largest pediatric hospital in Brazil."

The three-time World Cup Champion and FIFA Player of the Century was once described by fellow player Johan Cruyff as "the only footballer who surpassed the boundaries of logic”, and his ability prompted Artist Any Warhol to state “Pele was one of the few who contradicted my theory: instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries.”

To this day he retains the record for number of career goals scored – 1,283 – and the sale will include the very ball with which he scored his magical 1,000th goal, a penalty against Vasco da Gama in November 1969.

Further treasures will include his three World Cup winner’s medals from 1958, 1962 and 1970; his FIFA Player of the Century Award; his personal copy of the Jules Rimet Trophy, created by FIFA after his third victory in the competition in 1970; his 1977 New York Cosmos NASL championship ring; and his L’Equipe Athlete of the Century Award.

The sale will also feature match-worn jerseys and boots from his domestic football career with Santos FC, and those used during his 14-year international career with Brazil.

The Julien’s Auctions sale of the Pele Collection takes place in London on June 7-9.


Just Collecting