Runelis presentation of selected source photographs from The Best of Best

RUNELIS ELITE ARCHIVE · SOLD

The Best of Best

Four items worn or used by George Best across Manchester United, Northern Ireland and the 1970s.

The collection

A private collection measured in football history.

Four objects associated with George Best: his Adidas boots and training shorts, a Manchester United club blazer, a red United No.7 shirt and a Northern Ireland No.7 shirt. The objects trace his club and international years through kit, personal presentation and documented ownership history.

Collection
Four items worn or used by George Best
Period
1964–1970s
Teams
Manchester United · Northern Ireland
Recorded collection value
$32,300

Curator's note

“The four supported records capture George Best through different forms of evidence: personal gift history, auction provenance, club ceremony and equipment attributed to play.”

The collection, piece by piece

Four pieces.
One footballing story.

Each entry is presented with the photographs, specifications and provenance notes currently available to Runelis.

Runelis presentation
George Best training shorts
Adidas boot leather and laces

Swipe to explore · 3 images

Piece 01

Collector-supplied provenance

George Best Match-Worn Adidas Boots and Training Shorts — 1970s

George Best 1970s match-worn black and green Adidas football boots, sold with blue Manchester United training shorts from the same period and supporting photographs.

Period
1970s
Attribution
match-worn

Provenance & Documentation

Mr Joel Bertrand of Frankfurt received the boots and shorts from his uncle in Belfast, who had obtained them from the estate of a Belfast collector and personal friend of George Best and his family.

Accompanied by a signed Letter of Authenticity from Mr Bertrand, dated 17 October 2014.

Recorded price

$6,700

Runelis presentation
Embroidered Manchester United blazer crest
Blazer buttons and fabric

Swipe to explore · 3 images

Piece 02

Collector-supplied provenance

George Best 1968 European Cup Final Club Blazer

Blazer worn by George Best on the night of the 1968 European Cup Final. Made by BEE 5 FIVE, it bears an embroidered and wirework club crest inscribed “M.U.F.C. CONCILIO ET LABORE” on the breast pocket.

Period
1968
Attribution
player-worn

Provenance & Documentation

Worn by George Best and given by him to the landlord of The Trafford Hotel in Manchester.

Accompanied by a signed Letter of Authenticity.

Recorded price

$5,000

Runelis presentation
Umbro shirt collar and front
Number seven on shirt reverse

Swipe to explore · 3 images

Piece 03

Collector-supplied provenance

George Best Match-Worn Manchester United No.7 Shirt — 1967–68

Red Umbro Manchester United No.7 shirt from 1967–68, with a crew-neck collar. The shirt was worn during the European Cup winning season.

Period
1967–68
Attribution
match-worn

Provenance & Documentation

The shirt was worn by George Best and given to Tommie Hamilton, a former Manchester United player who ran a home gym for the club’s players during that period.

Recorded price

$12,000

Runelis presentation
Northern Ireland badge and collar
Number seven on shirt reverse

Swipe to explore · 3 images

Piece 04

Documentation under review

George Best Northern Ireland No.7 Shirt — 1964

Green and white Northern Ireland No.7 short-sleeved Bukta shirt from 1964, reputedly worn by George Best. It has a V-neck collar, an embroidered Irish Football Association badge and minor wear and staining to the reverse number. The Northern Ireland Football Museum identifies this style as consistent with 1964.

Period
1964
Attribution
Reputed match-worn

Provenance & Documentation

By family account, Best gave the shirt to an acquaintance in Belfast. It passed to that person’s son-in-law before being acquired by Manchester United collector Ray Adler.

Accompanied by a FWA Gala Tribute Evening programme for George Best, held at The Savoy, London, on 23 January 2000.

Recorded price

$8,600

The Runelis standard

Confidence is part of the collection.

  1. 01

    Evidence review

    Available documents, ownership statements and visual records are reconciled before acquisition.

  2. 02

    Independent assessment

    Specialist verification and condition review are coordinated where the object requires it.

  3. 03

    Private transaction

    Availability, terms, logistics and confidentiality are handled through one Runelis specialist.

  4. 04

    Secure handover

    Documentation and delivery are prepared as part of a traceable acquisition record.

Elite archive

Sold. Retained for the record.

This four-object collection has been sold and is retained in the Runelis Elite archive. Prices shown are historical records and do not constitute a current offer for sale.

Recorded collection value

$32,300

Runelis Elite archive

Sold

This collection is no longer available for acquisition.