DARREN MONCRIEFF
Friday 11 May 2012
* Updated: 16 May 2012
IT was what was underneath the jumper that St Kilda star Nicky Winmar was pointing to in proud defiance to racist hecklers at the football in 1993: his black skin.
But it is the actual jumper Winmar wore that day that will be up for auction early next week, and which its vendor hopes to sell for a princely six-figure sum.
The guernsey will be auctioned by Southeby's Australia in Melbourne next week and they have estimated its value to be between $100,000 and $200,000.
Its authenticity, however, has come under some question.
A framed St Kilda jumper at the former ATSIC premises in Canberra that was thought to be the jumper was found to be from another season.
The jumper (pictured) set to go for auction next week, however, bears Winmar's signature and number 7 and the words: To Tim G'day mate Nicky Winmar 7. "Tim" is former Washington Generals basketballer Tim O'Brien, who Winmar met on the Harlem Globetrotters world tour in 1994. The pair swapped jumpers that same year.
The proceeds will be to benefit the Peloha Foundation.
Southeby's has done its 'due diligence' in verifying the jumper's authenticity.
The organisation said match-day footage and post-match interviews had been reviewed, communication between O'Brien had also been viewed, and family and friends of Winmar have been consulted.
The jumper can be previewed bewteen now until 5pm Sunday at 926 High Street, Armadale, Melbourne.
Winmar's jumper passed in
NICKY WINMAR'S jumper was passed in at auction on Monday.
It had a reserve minimum price of $100,000 but it fell short at $95,000.
Questions surrounding its authenticity may have damaged the result, according to Southeby's.
However, in a signed statement, Winmar said it is the genuine article.
"The jersey I gave him (Tim O'Brien) was the one that I was wearing on the 17th of April 1993 when I played Collingwood at Victoria Park, and is the jersey that I pulled up to reveal my torso, and declared that I was "proud to be black"," Winmar wrote Sotheby's Australia.
Despite it not selling, negotiations are continuing into a potential sale.
AboriginalFootball@westnet.com.au
Last Modified on 16/05/2012 13:14