In a world that often spins around the latest digital trend, a refreshing dive into the tangible past is offered by Paul McInnis Auctioneer. The firm finds itself at the heart of an event that marries American sports history with educational philanthropy. On the block is the Harry W. O’Brien Collection, a showcase of extraordinary pre-war baseball memorabilia, the proceeds of which will bolster the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund. The mantra for this auction? Old cards for new starts.
The late Harry W. O’Brien, whose collection came into being through the dedicated efforts of his father, Daniel, during two global conflicts, amassed a universe of baseball tobacco and gum cards, alongside vintage comics and other nostalgic treasures. It’s a collection that illuminates the annals of baseball’s yesteryears, well before the first television broadcast of a baseball game.
Headlining the auction is an enviable array of 300 T206 cards, a series famed for its depiction of 48 Hall of Famers like Christie Mathewson and Cy Young, whose pitches still resonate through baseball folklore. Complementing these are complete sets of 1911 T201 Mecca Double Folders, a dual-image marvel revealing players in both portrait and action poses, flipping to expose stats and biographical blurbs—a vintage equivalent of today’s trading cards.
For those whose hearts beat faster for the lumbering giants of the diamond, the auction offers 80 Goudey cards featuring none other than Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, icons of the sport whose legacies are as profound as their home runs. Additionally, connoisseurs of caramel—not just the edible kind—will appreciate the variety of Philadelphia Caramels cards.
Continuing with the theme of variety, the auction also holds a trove of 19 4-in-1 Exhibit cards that boast images of Ruth and Gehrig, offering an intriguing quadruple take on some of baseball’s royalty. And for those intrigued by rarity, a selection of cards from the 1930s George C Miller issue awaits, heralded for its scarcity and desirability among seasoned collectors.
Alongside the kings of the baseball field, the collection heralds royalty from another arena with 1910 T218 Mecca boxing cards featuring heavyweight champion Jack Johnson. It’s not all sports, however, as attendees can also fan through a rich assembly of vintage non-sports cards that capture a spectrum of historical and cultural snapshots.
Each card in this gala of games past has been carefully assessed and graded by SGC, ensuring that bidders know the quality and authenticity of what they’re vying for. These cards will be auctioned individually or in lots, depending on their grouping, providing opportunities both for the new collector aiming to dip a toe in and the veteran looking to dive deep into the waters of memorabilia gathering.
Paul McInnis himself has expressed excitement over the unique nature of this event. He highlighted not just the rarity and pristine condition of the items, but also the fact that many will be making their auction debut. This includes an array of high-grade 1940s comics with covers graced by Superman and Batman, promising to draw eyes not just from sports aficionados but from the realms of comic book enthusiasm as well.
Additionally, ticket stubs from monumental games, including one from the inaugural game at Fenway Park in 1912, serve as tangible links to historic moments, now available for collectors to own a piece of that storied past.
With over 500 lots on offer and pre-bidding already underway, the main event promises to be a dynamic affair. Set for a live virtual webcast on May 4, 2024, at 11:00 AM, enthusiasts can join virtually via the Paul McInnis website to place their bids. Each successful hammer drop will not only extend a collection but also extend a helping hand to students aiming to achieve their educational dreams—proving once and for all that in the trade of nostalgia, everyone can score big.
