Mastro Auctions announced it will have a live auction at The Sports Museum of America (the new home of the Heisman Trophy) in New York City on Dec. 8. The auction features two distinct sessions, with the first focusing on Legends of the Gridiron and the second focusing on Legends of the Diamond.

The marquee item is the actual Heisman Trophy awarded to USC's Charles White in 1979. The trophy is just one piece in one of the largest private collections of football memorabilia ever offered, consisting of more than 300 items including game-used jerseys and helmets worn by Hall of Famers, future HOFers and Heisman Trophy winners.

According to Doug Allen, Mastro Auctions' COO and president, only a few Heisman Trophies have ever been offered for public sale. The record price is $395,240 for Minnesota halfback Bruce Smith's 1941 trophy. Allen expects the bidding to hit mid-six-figure range according to the press release.

Other items include in the Legends of the Gridiron auction are:

•    Jim Brown Cleveland Browns circa 1960s game-worn brown dureen jersey
•    Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts 1971 game-worn white dureen jersey 
•    Jim Taylor Green Bay Packers circa 1966 game-worn green dureen jersey   
•    Ray Nitschke Green Bay Packers circa 1966 game-worn green dureen jersey
•    Tom Landry New York Giants circa 1952-54 game-worn red wool jersey
•    Dick Butkus 1974 NFC Pro Bowl game-worn blue dureen jersey
•    Don Maynard New York Jets 1969 Super Bowl III game-worn white dureen jersey  
•    Joe Namath New York Jets circa 1970 game-worn green dureen jersey
•    Bart Starr Green Bay Packers early 1960s game-worn helmet
•    Johnny Unitas Baltimore Colts 1969-70 game-worn, signed helmet           
•    Don Meredith Dallas Cowboys circa 1967 game-worn white dureen jersey
•    Merlin Olsen Los Angeles Rams 1969 game-worn white dureen jersey

The second session is highlighted by historical pieces of baseball memorabilia, led by an array of game-used bats, one-of-a-kind display pieces and high-valued baseball cards.

All items will be on public display at The Sports Museum of America on Sunday, Dec. 7, and a cocktail reception will be held that evening. For more information on the auction, bidding or to receive an auction catalog, call Mastro Auctions at 630-472-1200 or go to www.mastroauctions.com