Mastro Auctions’ Classic Collector auction, which closed October 26, set a new company record, outpacing the previous one set in October 2005 by more than $300,000.
Originally created to appeal to a wider collecting audience, Mastro Auctions’ Classic Collector events are outperforming that expectation and assuming a hobby stature that is second only to Mastro Auctions’ Premier Auction events.
“Our goal when we initiated the Classic Collector events was to open up collecting to more people and offer as much of our high quality service and expertise as possible,” said Doug Allen. “The hobby feedback we’re receiving is that we have definitely done that and then some. Both new and existing customers are telling us that our Classic Collector auctions are rapidly becoming the industry’s second best behind our larger Premier events.”
The October Mastro Auctions Classic Collector event, conducted entirely over the Internet, included more than 2,100 lots of sports and Americana collectibles.
Highlights of the auction in the sports category included a 1910 E103 Williams Caramels near set, which sold for $25,351; a collection of 1971 Topps Baseball fourth–sixth series unopened vending boxes, $23,045; a 1909–11 T206 white border collection of 64, including Cobb, Johnson, Young and Elberfeld, $19,046; a collection of 1972 Topps Baseball first and second series unopened vending boxes, $17,314.
Also, a Babe Ruth 1917–1921 H&B “250” professional model bat, $15,739; a Lou Gehrig 1920s vault marked H&B bat, $14,308; a 1911 T201 Mecca Double Folders Crawford/Cobb, $11,824; a 1909–11 E90-1 American Caramel Cy Young, $10,749; and a collection of 1975 Topps Baseball unopened rack packs with many stars showing, $10,749.
In Americana, top lots were a Pope Benedict XVI single signed baseball, $9,771; a Reverend Martin Luther King Jr signed letter display, $6,673; a 1969 Topps Planet of the Apes unopened vending box, $6,065; an 1864 Abraham Lincoln signed military commission, $6,065; an 1896 PE7-15 Whitehead & Hoag “Presidents” pins PSA graded complete set of 24, $5,011; and a May 1854 Abraham Lincoln fully handwritten and twice signed legal document, $5,011.
Additional highlights in various categories were noted. In baseball cards, a 1949 Bowman complete set of 240 went for $9,771. A 1970 Topps Baseball unopened wax box of 24 packs sold for $6,673 and A Stan Musial autograph collection brought $8,883.
In baseball bats, a Babe Ruth 1934–1944 H&B game-used player/coaches bat sold for $5,513. Baseball photos included a 1914 Christy Mathewson news service photograph by George Grantham Bain, $2,826.
A Babe Ruth single signed ball sold for $3,764, while a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Champions team signed ball made $7,340. Also, a New York Giants 1936-1937 sample home jersey went for $7,340.
In football, a 1952 Bowman large partial set (134/144) went for $8,883. Basket ball highlights included a collection of 1972-73 through 1975-76 Topps unopened wax packs at $6,065. A boxing notable was a Muhammad Ali signed keepsake collection, which sold for $3,109. Hockey highlights included a 1966-67 Topps high grade complete set of 132, which went for $4,555.
Additional highlights for numerous Americana lots included a September 1852 Abraham Lincoln fully handwritten and signed legal document, which brought $4,141. Political campaign items featured a 1904–1920s presidential campaign pin back collection (27 different), which realized $4,141.
A large and elegant 1793 Samuel Adams signed military appointment (Declaration signer) went for $2,826.
In entertainment highlights, a John Lennon signed photo display went for $4,555.
Comic books were represented by a Silver and Bronze Age Marvel comic book collection (1,019), which realized a final price of $3,764.
Prices reported include buyer’s premium. For information, 630-472-1200 or www.mastroauctions.com.
