The £200,000 cycling jerseys: Eddy Merckx collection goes on show

Eddy Merckx after winning the Tour de France for the fifth time, 21 July 1974 in Vincennes, Paris. During his career Merckx won 524 races, three world road champion titles, five Tour de France titles and the Tour d’Italie. Photograph: STAFF/AFP/Getty Images

Twenty-five years ago Californian Brett Horton started his collection of cycling ephemera. This weekend perhaps his most valuable pieces – nine jerseys worn by the five-time Tour de France winner and multiple world champion, Belgium’s Eddy Merckx – will be on show at the Rouleur Classic expo in London. Merckx will be reunited with the jerseys on Thursday night when he attends the show. Their total value is now estimated at $304,000 (£198,426).

Eddy Merckx’s 1974 world champion jersey. Worn at Leige in 1975. Estimated value $62,000. Photograph: The Horton Collection

Eddy Merckx’s 1970 Giro d’Italia Maglia rosa. Estimated value $35,000. Photograph: The Horton Collection

Eddy Merckx’s 1969 Tour de France, post Tour criterium jersey, Faema team. Estimated value $35,000. Photograph: The Horton Collection

Eddy Merckx’s 1974 Tour de France yellow jersey. Estimated value $45,000. Photograph: The Horton Collection

Eddy Merckx’s 1968 Faema six day jersey. Estimated value $28,000. Photograph: The Horton Collection

Eddy Merckx’s fiat team jersey. Photograph: The Horton Collection

• Eddy Merckx will be speaking at Rouleur Classic in association with Maserati road cycling exhibition, 19 - 21 November 2015 at Vinopolis, London. Click here for more information and tickets.