Don Clarke's jersey up for sale

The blazer and muddied black jerseys worn by All Black legend Don Clarke are returning to New Zealand for an Auckland auction that coincides with the closing stages of the Lions tour.

His pins and badges, photographs and ties are also up for sale. The only thing missing is a pair of the boots that helped Clarke win 31 test starts.

"It's quite rare to get a whole collection," said auctioneer Dunbar Sloane snr. But the precise history of some of the items was unknown because "The Boot" did not keep a record.

Mr Sloane will auction the items at Eden Park on July 6, the day after the Lions face Auckland in the build-up to the final test.

Clarke's widow culled the 65 items from stored boxes after his death in South Africa in 2002.

"We wanted to make the stuff available," said daughter Shelley.

The items cover a top-level rugby career that spanned 14 years. A black, red and yellow-striped scarf testifies that 17-year-old Clarke got his start with Waikato in 1951.

The inscription on the pocket of his official All Blacks blazer says he had earned his place in the team by 1956. He was a regular until 1964.

Charts on a test match ball chronicle the 1957 tour of Australia, noting that Clarke scored 180 points.

An official team photograph from that same year captures Clarke and teammate Colin Meads, who will attend the auction.

Mr Sloane estimates that a British Sportsman Club Luncheon Menu from a 1963 tour will pull in $500. The blazer could sell for up to $20,000, and a jersey with the number 01 stitched to the back could go for between $3000 and $10,000.

For fans who want to see a famous Clarke boot, a $5 visit to the NZ Rugby Museum in Palmerston North is required. Clarke donated a boot from his first test match to the museum in 1969.

A collection of cricketer John Reid's memorabilia, including a signed bat, will round out the sale.