DALLAS, TX.- A half-century of the life of one of the most influential figures in modern American history is celebrated in a special Heritage Sports Collectibles Auction, now open for bidding at HA.com/7175 and closing in Extended Bidding format at 10 PM on September 10th.

The offerings are carefully curated with an eye toward elite significance, with highlights including the trunks worn in the fabled "Rumble in the Jungle" victory over the seemingly invincible George Foreman in 1974 (est. $150,000+), and the WBC Heavyweight Championship belt earned for that achievement (est. $600,000+).

"With the recent passing of Muhammad Ali, we have received telephone calls from collectors all over the world seeking important pieces from his life and career," said Chris Ivy, Director of Heritage Sports Collectibles. "We are proud to answer with this, the most significant Ali auction ever assembled."

This special offering of seventy-nine lots is presented in chronological order, thus serving as a tangible biography that begins with training gloves from Ali’s Golden Glove amateur days in Louisville, Kentucky, when he was still known as Cassius Clay (est. $10,000+).

An extraordinary handwritten letter sent to Life Magazine in 1964, just days before his first victory over Sonny Liston to become Heavyweight Champion, addresses his conversion to Islam, the catalyst for the adoption of his new name (est. $100,000+). Also on offer are the gloves worn by Sonny Liston as he surrendered his title to the brash young challenger ($100,000+).

The timeline moves forward through fight worn trunks, gloves and robes from such famous contests as Floyd Patterson, Chuck Wepner and Ken Norton, all the way to the mouth guard Ali spit out after his defeat at the gloved hands of Trevor Berbick in 1981 to conclude his professional career.

Along the way, we find rare fight posters, including the only-known example from Ali and Norton’s "Broken Jaw" bout (est. $10,000+), and programs, special LeRoy Neiman artwork (est. $8,000+), and much more.

"If you are among the billions of Muhammad Ali fans on the planet today," Ivy advised, "do yourself a favor and visit the online auction listing. It’s a virtual museum of Ali history."

Other notable offerings include:

• Edward J. Neil Memorial Award, Presented to Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), 1965 (est. $100,000+).

• Muhammad Ali Signed "Rumble in the Jungle" Print by LeRoy Neiman, Inscribed to Angelo Dundee — Ali’s coach, 1974 (est. $20,000+).

• Program and Ticket Stub from 1974’s Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman "Rumble in the Jungle" Program & Ticket Stub (est. $6,000+).

• Muhammad Ali Fight Worn Shoes from Earnie Shavers Bout, 1977 (est. $40,000+).

• Muhammad Ali Fight Worn Robe from Leon Spinks II Bout, 1978 (est. $50,000+).

• Muhammad Ali "Athlete of the Century" Ring, 2000 (est. $20,000+).