Mastro Auctions Event Is Another Classic For Collectors

WILLOWBROOK, ILL.

:The first Mastro Auctions sales event of 2006 proved the auction giant is picking up this year, right where it left off last year - at the top. The firm's recent Classic Collector auction grossed more than $2 million in sales.

The auction included a number of lots that outperformed expectations and drew an increasing number of collectors to the bidding table.

Americana and sporting items did well at the auction with a Babe Ruth 1921-1931 Hillerich & Bradsby game used bat making a solid hit at $72,668 as the sale's top lot. Other game bats that did well included a Joe Jackson 1914-1915 Pro Model Cork Handle 40K game used bat for $19,046 and a Roberto Clemente 1961-1964 H&B game used team index bat for $6,065.

Topps trading card sets included a collection of 1951-1959 Topps complete sets (two) and partial/near sets (seven) that commanded $19,046 and a 1960-1963 Topps collection (3,050 cards) that went for $15,739. Graded card offerings included a 1934 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig, PSA NM-MT 8, that sold for $10,749 and a 1933 R319 Goudey #84 Glenn Spencer, PSA NM-MT 8, for $9,771.

Baseball card highlights included a 1952-1961 Topps collection (1,700+ cards) that sold for $6,673; a 1962 Topps complete set plus Green Tint and other variations for $6,673; and a 1915 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb and #103 Joe Jackson pair, GAI authentic that realized $6,065.

Unopened wax and vending standouts were a 1954 Topps Baseball unopened five-cent wax pack trio (three) all GAI graded that sold for $7,340; a high grade 1954 Topps Baseball Ted Williams five-cent display box with 36 wrappers, $3,764; and a 1954 Topps Baseball high grade unopened five-cent wax pack, GAI NM-MT 8, $3,764.

Signed baseballs crossing the block included a large single signed baseball collection (252) with Mantle (three), Williams (two) and DiMaggio that went for $5,513; a Satchel Paige single signed baseball for $5,011; and a Babe Ruth single signed baseball that commanded $4,555.

Other sporting highlights include a collection of 1892-1927 University of California vs. Stanford "Big Game" programs (seven) that realized $5,513; a 1961/62 Fleer #43 Jerry West rookie card, GAI Mint 9 for $2,335, a 1974 Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman "Rumble in the Jungle" Heavyweight Championship fight program for $1,592 and a 1910/11 C56 Hockey Series PSA-graded collection (25) for $6,065.

A modern hockey autograph and equipment card collection (66) including 15 Wayne Gretzky signature cards realized a final price of $10,749, a Michael Jordan signed game worn 1988/89 Chicago Bulls home jersey sold for $10,749 and a 1934 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig, PSA NM-MT 8, sold for $10,749.

World's Fair collectibles on the block include an 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition "The Watch on the Santa Maria" sculpture by John Rogers, $1,752; the 1939 New York World's Fair "Greyhound Lines" toy buses (three) and people mover, $1,446; and a collection of 1904 St Louis World's Fair postcards, stereoviews and paper ephemera (416), $1,315.

Autograph standouts included a 1791 partial letter signed by Alexander Hamilton referencing the First Bank in the United States, $3,764; a Joe Rosenthal autographed 1945 Iwo Jima photograph, $3,109; a rare 1939 Japanese Emperor Hirohito signed letter of state, $2,826; and a John Adams handwritten document pertaining to the 1792 presidential election that went for $11,824.

Entertainment highlights include a 1960s-70s psychedelic rock poster collection (16) that sold for $2,335; a Little Rascals photo collection (13), $1,086; and a set of 1989 Esco Beatles statues (4) in original boxes, $814.

A complete collection of early Twentieth Century US coin sets (8) sold for $3,109; a partial Morgan & Peace dollars set (88) went for $1,592; and an 1872 silver three cent piece PCGS PR 65 sold for $1,195.

All prices include the 17.5 percent buyer's premium. Mastro Auctions' next Classic Collector auction will be in June. For information, www.mastroauctions.com or 630-472-1200.