An array of sports memorabilia and cards offered by the partnership of Sotheby’s and SCP Auctions was eagerly received by hundreds of collectors who participated in the firms’ January 15″0 Internet auction. The 924 lots in the sale generated more than $1.7 million, exceeding the firms’ presale estimate.
According to Dan Imler, managing director of SCP Auctions, the sale attracted an extraordinary number of “new” collectors.
“We are very pleased with the results of this sale,” Imler said. “Beyond our satisfaction with the strong prices realized, we are thrilled with the incredible number of bidders who participated overall. We are especially pleased with the extraordinary number of new bidders who registered for the first time. This is a very positive testament to the strength of this market.”
At the forefront of the auction was a selection of game-used bats from some of baseball’s most prolific sluggers. Not surprisingly, this category yielded some of the priciest lots in the sale, including the top lot †a Ty Cobb 1917′1 H&B game-used bat (PSA/DNA Graded GU 8), which netted $87,114. Other big ticket bats included a 1921 Babe Ruth H&B game bat (PSA/DNA Graded GU7), $79,015; a circa 1965-66 Mickey Mantle H&B game-used bat (MEARS Graded A7), $26,698; and a circa 1938″9 Jimmie Foxx H&B game-used bat (PSA/DNA Graded GU7.5), $24,216.
Aside from the expensive lumber, some other big numbers were seen in the memorabilia category, including a complete run of 41 full unused Super Bowl Tickets (I-XLII), $47,263; Barry Bonds home run ball #754 †hit July 27, 2007, $26,936; and a rare 1920 Miller Huggins signed photograph, $18,574, the latter being a record price for a photo signed by the Yankees Hall of Fame manager.
Other notable sales from the memorabilia portion include a circa 1965‶8 Willie Mays game-used bat, $10,742; an 1862 proclamation signed by Abraham Lincoln, $10,028; Christy Mathewson 1923 signed contract as Braves president, $12,426; Babe Ruth single signed baseball, $22,785; and a Babe Ruth/Lou Gehrig signed baseball, $17,766.
The bidding was equally brisk throughout the vast offerings of Nineteenth Century, prewar and postwar cards. Among the top card lots was a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA Graded 7 NM, $31,917, and a 1914 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb SGC 60 EX , $10,015.
Other notable sales from the cards portion include a 1909-‱1 T206 Bill O’Hara (St Louis) PSA 4 VG-EX , $10,742; 1909-11 T206 Jimmy Collins PSA 8 NM-MT, $7,161; 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb (Green Portrait) PSA 6 EX-MT, $6,063; and a 1955 Topps Baseball complete set of 206, $6,063.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, www.scpauctions.com or 800-350-2273.
