Heritage Auctions’ Spring Sports Catalog sale was not just any ordinary auction; it was a grand spectacle that captivated enthusiasts and collectors alike. The buzz around the event was palpable as historic jerseys and bats, once used by legendary baseball players, took center stage and commanded staggering prices.
One of the most talked-about items was a 1920 Walter Johnson Washington Senators jersey, which stole the show by selling for just over $2 million. Made of flannel, this jersey was carefully authenticated through photo matching, confirming that it was worn by Johnson during a momentous game – Babe Ruth’s first appearance as a New York Yankee. The jersey’s provenance traced back to Eric “Swat” Erickson, Johnson’s teammate, and had been cherished by Erickson’s family in Jamestown, New York, before entering the collecting world in the early 2000s. The jersey’s value had significantly appreciated since its last transaction in June 2006, where it changed hands for $352,000.
Following closely in the league of top sales was a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Sandy Koufax during his rookie season, which fetched a remarkable $1.8 million. This piece of memorabilia stood out as one of the most iconic relics of baseball history auctioned in recent years.
The auction also witnessed the sale of other noteworthy items, including Carl Hubbell’s New York Giants jersey from his MVP seasons of 1936-1939, which garnered $87,000, and a St. Louis Cardinals jersey worn by Stan Musial during his 1943 MVP season, selling for $180,147. Warren Spahn’s Milwaukee Braves jersey from the 1954 season found a new owner for $102,000, while a Reggie Jackson Oakland A’s uniform from his awe-inspiring 57-home run season in 1969 realized $99,000.
Apart from jerseys, the auction showcased memorabilia like a Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger bat from the early 1920s, which commanded $630,000. This impressive bat, weighing 40.7 ounces and measuring 34 1/2 inches, was believed to have been wielded by Cobb during the last season he hit over .400. Another highlight was a Mickey Mantle bat from 1953, gifted to a fan in Oklahoma before the 1954 season, which fetched a handsome sum of $324,000. Additionally, a Hank Aaron glove, confirmed to have been used in 1973 and previously owned by a Milwaukee Brewers executive, sold for $210,000, showing the growing interest in game-used fielder’s gloves among collectors.
Chris Ivy, the Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, expressed his delight at the auction’s success, particularly noting the strong performance of game-worn items, with fielder’s gloves in high demand among collectors. The three-day extravaganza drew a massive crowd of 3,650 bidders from across the globe, generating over $21 million in sales, with nearly all lots finding new homes.
The auction also set record-breaking prices for several cards, such as a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded SGC 7.5, which achieved a new high at $564,000. A complete 1952 Topps master set, inclusive of a PSA 6 Mantle, went for $264,000, while a 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb card fetched an unprecedented $63,000. In another spotlight, a George Brett rookie card, one of just 11 Gem Mint 10s recognized by PSA, realized $150,000.
Furthermore, the auction featured valuable unopened materials, including a 1961-62 Fleer Basketball box that closed at an impressive $372,000, and a PSA 9 graded Wilt Chamberlain rookie card from the same set, which brought in $198,000. Not to be outdone, a 1948 Bowman Baseball unopened wax pack graded PSA 7 sold for $138,000, and a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card graded PSA 8 fetched $186,000.
The spectacular Heritage Auctions Spring Sports Catalog sale not only showcased the enduring passion and investment potential in sports memorabilia but also underscored the historical significance and financial worth of these rare collectibles.
