An impressive array of fine sports memorabilia and cards offered by SCP Auctions was eagerly received by hundreds of collectors who participated in its July 12 Internet auction. The 507 lots in the sale generated more than $2.3 million, exceeding the firm’s presale estimate.
At the forefront of the auction was an extraordinary selection of pre- and postwar cards. Not surprisingly, these categories yielded some of the highest priced lots in the sale, including the top lot, a T210 Old Mill Series 8, Joe Jackson, which realized $165,486.
Other big ticket cards included an 1888 N162 Goodwin Champs King Kelly at $63,337; a 1909‱1 T206 Walter Johnson (Port), at $28,089; a 1910 T210 Old Mill Series 6 Casey Stengel, $41,902; a 1916 M101-4 Sporting News #151 Babe Ruth, $54,712; a 1935 National Chicle #34 Bronko Nagurski, $66,354; a 1948 Bowman Basketball #69 George Mikan, $52,107; a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle, $91,470; and a 1959 Topps #514 Bob Gibson for $32,450.
Aside from the expensive cardboard, some other big numbers were seen in the memorabilia category, including Christy Mathewson’s signed first major league contract, which brought $69,829. More impressive memorabilia results included an extraordinary Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signed baseball that flew to $34,473; a Bear Bryant 1950s Texas A&M Aggies football jacket that went to $27,195; and a Ted Williams game used 1955 All-Star bat, $43,998.
A contemporary player’s game used and signed bat was offered when an Alex Rodriguez bat came up. It hit a home run going for $10,123. Other top lots included a Babe Ruth single-signed official American League baseball that sold for $20,714; a 1922′5 Ty Cobb game used bat realized $48,507; and a 1933 Goudey uncut sheet of 24 cards, including Babe Ruth, realized $47,946.
Some historic rarities went out for impressive prices, such as an 1895 N300 Mayo’s cut plug Cap Anson, with a relatively high grade, that sold for $18,831 and from 1909‱1 there was a T206 Eddie Plank that went for $40,827; a Ty Cobb portrait (Red) brought $18,831.
A 1910 T209 Contentnea first series, complete set of 16 (finest known), garnered some tough competition, finally going to $41,902. Another historic card was a 1916, M101-5 Sporting News with blank back, the #176 of well-known athlete Jim Thorpe went to $37,032, and a 1933 DeLong #7 Lou Gehrig brought $34,473. All prices given include the buyer’s premium.
SCP Auctions is currently accepting consignments for its next internet auction event. For more information, 800-350-2273 or www.scpauctions.com .
