Meet Steve Emerson: Inside the Collection
Emerson's collection includes everything from a signed NFL helmet to a few signatures from one very iconic rock band.
Apr. 10, 2023
Living in a home that could easily double as a museum, Steve Emerson's collection is loaded with rare items and memorabilia. Emerson has put all his love and passion into each area of his house, packing it with signed sports items and over 5,000 Van Halen collectibles.
Emerson's collection is all about the story and the journey behind an item, and he took us on a journey of his own through his collection.
Keep reading to see Emerson's collection, featuring rare items you may only get to see here.
1. Autographed Mickey Mantle baseball
This Mickey Mantle baseball is a truly unique item in Steve Emerson's collection. It was originally signed by Mantle in the early '50s.
Emerson's dad got 61 of these rare baseballs that Mickey Mantle signed one by one after a losing game. This signed ball was passed down through the family and is one of the most emotional moments we've had on Collector's Call so far this season.
Today its value would be around $10,000.
2. Michael Jordan's "Mr. June" jersey
Steve Emerson said: "When you're getting into sports collecting, there are few items that you think are just completely out of your reach."
This signed Michael Jordan jersey is one of those items for Emerson. Michael Jordan got the nickname "Mr. June" because he was in the finals every June, winning with big shots in the game.
Emerson bought this rare item in the late '90s for only $1,200.
This item is extra special for Emerson, who sold the piece to a friend when he was unemployed a few years ago. He repurchased it, and its worth is now around $20,000.
3. Autographed Los Angeles Rams helmet
This piece of Steve Emerson's collection is truly in a league of its own. Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen autographed this Los Angeles Rams helmet, but only with special permission. The two NFL players were a part of the Fearsome Foursome.
Emerson idolized Deacon Jones and had this signed in his early days of collecting.
Today this vintage helmet with the two Hall-of-Famer signatures would be valued at $2,000.
4. Van Halen's Rainbow Theater tour poster
Van Halen is an attitude, and so was this part of Steve Emerson's Van Halen collection. With over 5,000 individual Van Halen items in this wing of Emerson's home, you could say he's their number one fan.
Emerson became a fan of Van Halen in 1982 when he heard a song on the radio. This Van Halen tour poster is from The Rainbow Theater and was given to Emerson by the band's tour manager, Noel Monk.
This poster was hung at Warner Records for years before retiring to Monk's basement. He didn't pay anything for this one-of-a-kind item.
Today its value would be around $5,000.
5. All four signatures from Van Halen band members
This is a signed agreement between Van Halen Productions, which Noel Monk created. The Warner Records contract is from 1977.
This signed agreement has all four signatures from the Van Halen band: Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth.
David Lee Roth signed it twice, but it remains a mystery as to why. Emerson originally paid $250 for this; today, it is worth around $8,000.
6. The total value of Steve Emerson's collection:
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