Heritage Auctions

2004 September (HSC) Signature Auction


2004 September (HSC) Signature Auction
Sale Number: 701
Location:
Auction Date: September 10th at 7 PM CT through September 11th

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Session 1
Boxing Collectibles
Rare Boxing Book: "Pancratiaor, A History Of Pugilism" Simply stated, "Pancratiaor, A History Of Pugilism" is one of the rarest jewels in boxing literature. This edition was published in London in 1815 by C. Chapple, Pall-Mall. This edition has three parts totaling 430 pages covering the history of the sport from the classical ages through the English history. The frontispiece has a portrait of Tom Cribb. William Oxberry is the author, at least in part, but historians believe Jon Bee was also a contributor. Bound in black cloth covers which have some wear. Binding is tight and the volume appears complete. The previous owner's name is written inside and some pages have foxed from age, but are not brittle or flaking. Extremely rare. Hartley # 1522.
"Boxiana" (Volumes I-IV) A scarce four volume set of "Boxiana, or Sketches of Ancient and Modern Pugilism" by Pierce Egan. Published between 1818 and 1824 by Sherwood, Neely and Jones (later Sherwood, Jones and Co.). Volume I has the dedication of Egan from the 1812 edition. Egan authored Volumes I-III. Jon Bee was the compiler of the 1824 Volume IV. All have been rebound in matching marble cloth covers which are in fine condition with tight bindings. Pages have foxed with age, but are not brittle or flaking. A scarce full set by this publisher, especially in this condition. Hartley # 587.
"Portrait Gallery Of Pugilists Of America" A scarce boxing book by Billy Edwards, copyrighted in 1894 by Pugilistic Publishing Co. with green cloth covers and gold lettering. There are 96 plates measuring 14" x 11" that portray fighters from the United States, England and Australia. Most subjects are in fight pose with a brief biography on the reverse. Fighters featured include the greats of the day such as: Corbett, Sullivan, Jackson, Fitzsimmons and many more. The covers have some minor wear. The binding is still intact, but loose with some tape repairs and could use restoration. Some light soiling to a few pages, but overall a wonderful first edition which is seldom seen in any condition. Hartley # 583.
Broome & Hannan Circa 1965 Boxing Print A circa 1860's color print entitled, "The Great Prize Fight Broome and Hannan." Published by John Moore. The print measures 26" x 21.75" and displays vivid color. There is some light foxing from age and one scratch. Quite rare 19th century print.
John C. Heenan Original Currier & Ives Print John C. Heenan ("The Benicia Boy") the American Heavyweight Champion who fought the great English Champion Thomas Sayers to a draw in 1860, is the subject of this original print by Currier & Ives. Published in the 1860's, the print depicts Heenan in period dress, just as he appeared around the time of his fight with Sayers. The print measures 10" x 14" and is in overall excellent condition with some light surface wear and soiling. This is a print that seldom appears, especially in this condition.
1902 John L. Sullivan Signed Studio Photograph (13" x 16") John L. Sullivan was the last great bare-knuckle champion and the first national sports hero of America. No one had ever seen the likes of the "Boston Strong Boy," who toured the nation, taking on all comers, with an offer of $1000 if they could last four rounds. No one could. With his epic 76-round victory over Jake Kilrain in 1889, his legend grew dramatically. Such a prominent figure was Sullivan, that when he was defeated in 1892 by Gentleman Jim Corbett, women and men across the nation wept. This elegant studio portrait shows an older, dapper Sullivan. It is nicely double matted to 13" x 16" and sits in a gorgeous wooden frame that measures 22" x 25". The image is clear and detailed, showing Sullivan's massive hands and barrel chest. The signature and inscription are in the upper left corner and read, "Compliments of John L. Sullivan - To My Friend, M M Patrick Conly - July 1st, 1902." This is the one of the best known signed photos of John L. Sullivan to be offered at public auction. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
John L. Sullivan Handwritten Letter The great John L. Sullivan has authored this terrific one page handwritten letter in which he discusses the United States, among other topics. Sullivan, who was always extremely patriotic, writes the United States is "respected by all other nations and why because we are the right kind of material." He concludes the letter with a bold full signature. This 1902 letter is penned in ink and is in fine condition. Here's an opportunity to acquire a scarce letter from one of boxing's true immortals. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
John L. Sullivan Autographed Note The great John L. Sullivan, himself, penned this note. Sometimes a brief sentiment can speak more about the person who wrote it than a lengthy letter. This note reads, "Compliments of John L. Sullivan While ascending the Hill of Prosperity may you never meet an old friend coming down." This one speaks volumes. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
John L. Sullivan - James J. Corbett 1892 Full Unused Ticket On September 7, 1892 at the Olympic Club in New Orleans, World Heavyweight Champion John L. Sullivan defended his title against "Gentleman" Jim Corbett. It was the first heavyweight championship to be fought with gloves, thus closing the door on the bare-knuckle era. The youthful Corbett was a skillful boxer and entered the ring in top condition. Sullivan on the other hand hadn't fought in three years and drank profusely. Corbett danced and dodged the bull rushes of the older Sullivan and eventually wore down the slower, out of shape champ en route to a 21st round knockout. Presented here is a rare full ticket to this historic event. This is the larger version of the two tickets issued to the fight. This ticket has some light foxing but is overall in fine condition with a clean front and back and nice corners. The ticket measures 3.25" x 4.25". LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
James J. Corbett Circa 1927 Lucky Strikes Poster An older James Corbett is pictured on this advertising poster for Lucky Strikes cigarettes. The poster measures 13.5" x 19" and was probably printed in the late 1920s. This poster is paper with vibrant colors and in overall excellent condition.
James J. Corbett Signed Photograph A bold inscribed ink signature of the man who defeated the great John L. Sullivan adorns this 7" x 9" black and white photograph that is in overall excellent condition. Signed in 1930. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
New Broadway Athletic Club 1900 Full Unused Tickets (8) Eight full, unused tickets from the New Broadway Athletic Club in New York. Fights include: Bernstein-Gardner (8/23/1900), McCoy-Creedon (5/18/1900), Callahan-Gardner (8/17/1900), Handler-Walsh (7/20/1900), Bernstein-Smith (6/22/1900), McFadden-McPartland (8/3/1900), Gardner-Broad (5/10/1900), and Bernstein-Gardner (7/27/1900). All the tickets are in excellent condition; clean and uncreased with stubs firmly attached. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Caspar Leon 1894 Fight Worn Gloves From The Jimmy Barry Bout Caspar Leon was one of the great contenders in the Bantamweight and Flyweight divisions of boxing during the late 19th century. Although never a champion he gave great fighters like Jimmy Barry fits when they fought. Leon challenged Barry five times between 1894 and 1898, and in only one fight did Barry actually win, with three fights ending in draws and one no decision. When the two met for the first time on September 15, 1894 outside of Chicago, Barry struggled before finally stopping Leon in the 28th round. Presented here are the historic gloves used by Caspar Leon in this fight. The gloves originate from the collection of trainer Jimmy DeForest who went on to train Jack Dempsey. Recovered from one of his relatives, the gloves come with an original placard that reads, "These Gloves Used By Caspar Leon In Bout vs. Jimmy Barry at Chicago For Bantamweight Title. Barry Won Title By KO in 28th Sept 15th 1894." There are five eyelets for each glove, but no laces. There is no manufacturer's label. There is a tear on the right glove on the underside of the fingers. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Charles Dana Vintage Boxing Photo Lot (19) A terrific offering of 19 photographs, by renowned photographer Charles Dana, capturing images from some of the great prize fights of the early 1900s. The list of photos includes: Abe Attell vs Percy Cove, Abe Attell vs Frankie Neil, Abe Attell vs Freddie Welsh, James J. Jefferies vs Jack Munroe, James J. Jefferies vs Bob Fitzsimmons, George Gardner vs Bob Fitzsimmons, Jimmy Britt vs Packey McFarland, Jack Johnson vs Stanley Ketchel (3), Joe Gans vs "Kid Herman", "Battling" Nelson vs Joe Gans, "Battling" Nelson vs Jimmy Britt, Johnny McCarthy vs Eddie Moran, Stanley Ketchel vs Joe Thomas, Frankie Neil vs Harry Tenny, Billy Papke vs Hugo Kelly, Battling Nelson vs Eddie Hanlon and one unidentified. The photos show some wear, but each gives an outstanding image from these historic, turn-of-the-century fights.
Philadelphia Jack O'Brien Antique Photographs Framed Display Philadelphia Jack O'Brien (James Francis Hagen), the former World Light Heavyweight Champion and challenger for the heavyweight title is the subject of these six beautiful photographs framed into one display. O'Brien won the Light Heavyweight Title in 1905 with a stoppage of former Heavyweight Champion Robert Fitzsimmons. He challenged champion Tommy Burns for the title, but failed when the match was declared a draw. O'Brien fought many notable fighters during his career and had victories over Joe Choynski, Young Peter Jackson, Jack "Twin" Sullivan and Tommy Ryan. The six photographs are all 5" x 7" mounted cabinet photographs. Four are by Sommer Studio of Philadelphia, one by Robert Barrass and one by an unmentioned photographer. Two have been boldly signed and inscribed in ink, one in fight pose and one in period dress. One of the photos has minor surface abrasions and two have minor scratches, but all six are overall in splendid condition and have been tastefully framed. Scarce images of this popular champion during the time he was in his prime. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Tommy West 1900 Fight Worn Gloves From The Jack Bonner Bout Tommy West was born in 1870 and fought as a professional fighter in various weights at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. West was never a champion, but retired with victories over such ring greats as Barbados Joe Walcott, Jack Bonner, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien and George Byers. Presented here are the brown and beige gloves used by Tommy West in his 16 round victory over Jack Bonner in New York on April 6, 1900. The gloves have no laces and there is some leather loss on the left hand glove. The gloves originated from the collection of trainer Jimmy DeForest and were procured from one of his relatives. These gloves include the original pencil tag which is stuck in the left glove identifying them as the gloves West used when he fought Bonner. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports .
Battling Nelson - Dick Hyland 1909 Full Unused Ticket Battling Nelson fought Dick Hyland on May 29th, 1909 in defense of his World Lightweight Title. Nelson successfully defended it by knocking out Hyland in the 23rd round. Presented here is an official full ticket to their bout. This full ticket measures 2.75" x 7" and names both fighters as well as the section, box and seat. The corners are rounded and there is some slight soiling along the edges. The upper left and lower right corners are slightly creased. These defects do not distract from the appearance of the ticket which displays very well. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Battling Nelson - Terry McGovern 1906 Full Unused Ticket On March 14, 1906 World Lightweight Champion Battling Nelson fought "Terrible" Terry McGovern at the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia in a non-title affair. Nelson was declared the winner after six rounds. Presented here is an extremely rare, full official ticket to the fight. The ticket measures 2.5" x 5.25", names both fighters and includes section, row and seat number. The stub is firmly attached, there is a crease in lower left corner and some light edge and surface wear and some glue residue on reverse where ticket was mounted. This very rare ticket represents the only time these two early lightweight greats ever met in the ring. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Joe Gans-Kid Herman 1907 Full Unused Ticket Joe Gans, known as the "Old Master", fought Kid Herman on January 1, 1907 in Tonopah, Nevada. Gans scored a knockout over Herman in the 8th round of that bout to retain the Lightweight Championship of the World. Many consider Gans to be one of the greatest lightweight fighters in history. Unfortunately, his career was prematurely terminated when he contracted tuberculosis and died in August of 1910. Presented here is a full official ticket from this bout. This full ticket is 2.5" x 6.75" and lists the section, row and seat. There is some light soiling and small stains on the front of the ticket, separation at the perforation (tape repaired on the back), as well as some surface paper loss on the back. These defects do not distract and the ticket displays very well. Offered here is an extremely rare ticket for this early black champion. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Johnson Autographed Cabinet Photo Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns on December 26, 1908 in Australia to become the first black to win the heavyweight boxing championship of the world. Johnson was flamboyant and outspoken, and bucked many of the social "rules" of the day. He was as controversial as he was gifted in the ring and is still regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Offered here is an absolutely stunning 7.25" x 9.75" studio portrait made of Johnson at Dobson studio in Liverpool, England. Johnson has boldly penned the portrait with a signature that rates a perfect "10" and an inscription that reads "Yours Truly Jack Johnson Jan 19 - 1916 To Hesselgrave." Autographs of Jack Johnson on photos are extremely rare and almost impossible to acquire on a cabinet photo of this quality. This lot is for the discerning autograph collector that only seeks the finest. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Tommy Burns Signed Photo "Tiny" Tommy Burns was Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1906 to 1908. He successfully defended the title eleven times and had victories over Bill Lang, Marvin Hart, Bill Squires and Philadelphia Jack O'Brien before losing the title to Jack Johnson. Presented here is a scarce signed photograph of Burns in a fight pose wearing his championship belt. Inscribed, "To a good friend Danny Pelton Tommy Burns When Worlds Heavyweight Champion 1906 to Dec. 26/1908." The photo measures 7.25" x 10" with one center horizontal crease. The signature and inscription are in bold ink. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
James J. Jeffries Autographed Glove Jim Jeffries was arguably the best heavyweight champion of the early 20th century. Notable victories over Fitzsimmons, Sharkey and Corbett cemented his place in history. The only loss he suffered during his prestigious career was when he came out of a five-year retirement to fight Jack Johnson in 1910. Jeffries was never able to shake the "ring-rust" from his 5-year layoff, partially due to the fact that he lost an enormous amount of weight in a short amount of time, which sapped his strength and stamina. Had they fought 5 years earlier the outcome may have been vastly different. Presented here is a very rare single signed boxing glove of Jim Jeffries. Signed in ink, "Jas J Jeffries July 1938," on an oversized Sol Levinson boxing glove with a nice readable signature. This is one of the very few examples we've ever seen. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
James J. Jeffries Training Photographs For Johnson Fight (29) A wonderful offering of 29 previously unpublished photographs depicting James Jeffries in training camp for his upcoming July 4, 1910 fight with Jack Johnson. These black and white photographs are all approximately 3.25" x 5.5" and are in excellent condition. Many of the photographs show the former champion sparring and exercising. Two of the notable fighters Jeffries sparred with were James J. Corbett and Joe Choynski, both of whom are pictured. A beautiful collection that would make a fine companion to the Dana photograph lot also offered in this sale. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Johnson-James J. Jeffries Dana Photograph Collection (69) The Johnson-Jeffries fight of July 4, 1910 in Reno, Nevada is considered one of the most socially significant prizefights in the history of boxing. Jim Jeffries was coaxed out of retirement by his supporters for the purpose of winning back the heavyweight title from the black fighter who held it, Jack Johnson. There was bitter resentment for Johnson, who was not only a great fighter and the first black man to win the heavyweight title, but also a man who defiantly refused to comply with the standards set for black Americans in the early 1900's. It was against a bitter racial background when the two fought that day in Reno. Jeffries had been a great champion, but hadn't fought in 5 years and had to shed 70+ pounds before entering the ring. From the start of the fight the outcome was apparent. Jeffries was just a shell of his former self and Johnson totally dominated the fight, which climaxed with a 15th round knockout. This historic fight was captured in photographs by noted boxing photographer Percy Dana. Presented here are 69 individual black and white original photographs from the fight including scenes around the ring as well as the ring action. Each photograph is in great condition and shows a different scene and each measures approximately 4" x 6". Here's a wonderful opportunity to purchase a piece of boxing history, preserved on photographs, from one of its most celebrated events. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Johnson 1927 Autographed First Edition Book Former Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson has boldly signed and inscribed his 1927 autobiography, Jack Johnson -- In The Ring -- And Out, "To My Good Friend Leo McCarey with Good Luck and best wishes From Jack Johnson." The book is a first edition, complete with dust jacket. The dust jacket shows some wear and the cloth covers have some discoloration, but overall the book is in very good condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Jack Johnson & Peter Jackson Commemorative Cane On December 26, 1908 in Sydney, Australia, Jack Johnson shocked the world when he stopped World Heavyweight Champion Tommy Burns in the 14th round of their fight for the title. Johnson became the first black man to win this coveted prize. Johnson gained much national attention winning this title, most of it negative, because of his race. His victory over the beloved James Jeffries on July 4, 1910 in Reno only flamed the fires of passions for those who wanted Johnson's crown taken from him. Unable to achieve that objective in the ring, criminal charges were filed under the Mann Act, which forced Johnson to flee the country. In 1915 he finally succumbed to age and was defeated by Jess Willard in Cuba. Equipment and artifacts of this great champion are among the rarest of boxing collectibles. Presented here is a cane which was owned by the late sportswriter George Barton. This cane commemorates Jack Johnson and another early black fighter Peter Jackson.The cane is 36 inches long with curved top. There are three silver plaques along the upper shaft. One reads George Barton 1935. Another reads Jack Johnson 1908 and the third Peter Jackson 1887. In good condition with some minor wear. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Johnson 1909 Champion Of The World Poster Jack Johnson became the World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Tommy Burns in Australia on December 26, 1908, becoming the first black man to accomplish this feat. The following year a promotional poster of Jack Johnson was released depicting the champion in a full fight pose along with various other scenes of recreation, including driving a racecar, which was one of his passions. Presented here is an original version of this poster that measures 15" x 18.5" with some light staining and chipping in the corners. Many of these posters that are appear in sales are early reprints. This poster is not a reprint. It is a very rare original poster from 1909. Framed.
Jack Johnson - Jess Willard 1905 Poster On April 5, 1915 World Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson lost his title to Jess Willard in Havana, Cuba. The fight has been surrounded in controversy through the ages due to Johnson's insistence that he threw the fight. He used a photograph from the fight that showed him lying on the canvas with his arms raised to argue that he was really fine and just protecting his eyes from the sun. The fight film would seem to refute his claim however. Johnson's age (37), the brutally hot conditions and the sheer size of Willard looked to be the telling factors. Johnson had clearly dominated the earlier rounds but appeared to have been caught off guard by the strong right hand that ended the fight in the 26th round. There would not be another black Champion in the heavyweight division until Joe Louis burst upon the scene more than 20 years later. Presented here is a marvelous souvenir poster from this fight. The poster was put out right after the fight and includes photographs of both fighters and other dignitaries, including the promoter, Jack Curley. There are also a series of photographs of the fight itself and some other artifacts from the event. It measures 24" x 27" and is in excellent condition with some surface wear and minor fading. This poster was used to advertise Old Warwick Whiskey and their matting still remains intact. This is a rare heavy stock poster and wonderful commemorative from the final days of Jack Johnson as Heavyweight Champion. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Charles "Kid" McCoy 1900 Fight Worn Gloves From The Joe Choynski Bout Charles "Kid" McCoy (Norman Selby) was one of the most colorful champions in boxing history. McCoy was known for faking an injury during a fight to lure opponents into a trap and then attacking them at an unsuspecting moment. This action prompted the question from fight fans, "Who is the Real McCoy?" giving rise to that expression in ring lore. McCoy fought from 1891 until 1916. He had 107 fights and won 90, lost only 7 with 7 draws and 3 no contests. He held the World Middleweight Title from 1897 until 1898 and retired with victories over the likes of Tommy Ryan, Peter Maher, Joe Choynski and Jack "Twin" Sullivan. He was convicted of murdering his wife after he retired and spent a long stretch in jail. He ended his own life by suicide on April 18, 1940. Presented here are the actual fight worn gloves used by Kid McCoy in his fight with Joe Choynski in New York on January 12, 1900. McCoy won that fight against the bigger Choynski by a 4th round knockout. The gloves have no manufacturer's label and still have the original laces. The left glove has several small holes on the backhand. The gloves come from the collection of trainer Jimmy DeForest and were procured from one of his relatives. These vintage gloves have the original placard that states, "Gloves used by Kid McCoy He KOed Joe Choynski in 4 rounds Jan 12th 1900 New York." To our knowledge, this is the only offering of fight worn apparel ever brought to public auction for this great champion. Extremely rare. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
1896 George Dixon - Frank Erne Full Unused Ticket On November 27, 1896, two featherweight greats, Frank Erne and George Dixon, fought at the Broadway Athletic Club In New York. Dixon was the current World Featherweight Champion and one of the most important of early black fighters. This was a non-title fight and Erne, who would later win the title, proved to be tough competition, battling Dixon to a ten round draw. Presented here is a very rare, full ticket to this event. This official ticket measures 2.5" x 6.5" and includes the names of both fighters and has a specific seat assignment. The two stubs are firmly attached (there's some light staining on the perforated edges of the stubs), the word "PRESS" has been stamped across the front and there is some light edge wear. The ticket displays a clean front and back and features an ornate design on the reverse. Printed by Globe Ticket Company. All full boxing tickets prior to 1900 are rare and the ones that feature two important early champions, such as this example, are truly scarce. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Frank Erne 1897 Fight Worn Gloves From The George Dixon Bout Frank Erne was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1875. He began his professional boxing career in 1894 and fought for 14 years. Erne was one of the greats of the late 19th and early 20th century. He won the World Lightweight Title in 1899 and held it for three years. He defeated most of the greats in his division including George Dixon, George McFadden and Jack Skelly. Presented here are the fight worn gloves used by Frank Erne in his fight 25 round fight with "Little Chocolate" George Dixon on April 7, 1897. The gloves have no manufacturer's label and still have the original laces. There is a tear on the palm of the right hand glove. These gloves originated from the collection of trainer Jimmy DeForest and were procured from one of his relatives. The gloves come with the original identification placard which states, "Gloves worn by Frank Erne vs George Dixon (Little Chocolate) Erne Lost 25 Round Decision For Featherweight Title Broadway AC/ April 7th, 1897." Offered here is the only known pair of fight gloves in existence used by the great Frank Erne. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Al McCoy Circa 1914 Championship Belt Al McCoy was born Alexander Rudolph on October 23, 1894 in Rosenhayn, New Jersey. He began his career as a professional boxer in 1909 in Brooklyn. On April 7, 1914 McCoy challenged World Middleweight Champion George Chip and won the title by stopping Chip in the very first round. McCoy held the title for three years, eventually losing it to Mike O'Dowd. He retired in 1920, posting a career record of 75-40-24 with 18 no decisions. During his career he fought Harry Greb, Jack Dillon, Mike Gibbons, Willie Lewis and Jimmy Clabby. Presented here is the championship belt buckle and sash presented to Al McCoy by the Eastern New York Athletic Club. Although undated, this was likely given to commemorate McCoy's victory over Chip, which took place in Brooklyn, New York. The buckle is separated from the sash in a frame that includes photos of McCoy, his wife, his mother and his father. Overall the belt and buckle are in excellent condition with some fading to the thin sash. A very attractive and important example of an early 20th century middleweight championship belt. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Willie Ritchie - "Harlem" Tommy Murphy 1914 Full Unused, Ritchie Autographed, Ticket On April 17, 1914, World Lightweight Champion Willie Ritchie successfully defended his title, winning in a 20-round decision over "Harlem" Tommy Murphy at Coffroth's Arena in San Francisco. This is a full, unused ticket to that event which pictures both fighters and lists the section, row, and seat number. The ticket has rounded corners, some surface and edge wear, light soiling and one small stain. The stub is still firmly attached. As a bonus, this rare full ticket has been boldly inscribed and signed by Ritchie. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Fred Fulton - Charlie Weinert 1917 Full Unused Ticket Fred Fulton defeated Charlie Weinert in the 2nd round on February 12, 1917 at Madison Square Garden in a battle of heavyweight hopefuls. Fulton was a tall, strong fighter who met many of the top heavyweights of his day. His most infamous fight occurred in 1918 when a young heavyweight by the name of Jack Dempsey knocked him out in 19 seconds of the first round. This official full ticket is 3" x 7.75". There are 3 holes punched along the bottom, some tape stains on the back, the corners are soft, two pinholes in the upper left and lower right corners, and some wear along the edges. These defects do little to distract and the ticket displays very well. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports, Inc.
Jess Willard Award Jess Willard is the tallest heavyweight champion in history, standing 6' -6.25". "The Pottawatomie Giant" is best remembered for his two greatest fights. The first was when he won the Heavyweight Championship in 1915 with a 26-round knockout victory over Jack Johnson in Havana, Cuba. The second was when he lost the title in 1919, suffering a brutal knockout at the hands of Jack Dempsey, but displaying great courage in the process. The award reads, "Citation To Jess Willard A Great Titleholder & Most Under Rated Heavyweight Boxing Champion In Boxing History By Les Showers Noted A.A.U. Boxing Director & Other Citizens Of Kansas Including Jimmy McLean". This award is in great condition and displays well. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jess Willard Cabinet Photos (3) "The Pottawatomie Giant" Jess Willard beat Jack Johnson in 26 rounds of a scheduled 45-round bout, in the grueling 100 degree plus temperatures of Havana. Most historians discount Willard's accomplishments because of the racial overtones of the day. What is often overlooked is the fact that Willard was an accomplished fighter who possessed a tough chin and a very good jab. Offered here are three 8"x10" photos, all showing Willard in his prime, framed together as an excellent display for this underrated champion.
Harry Greb 1922 Fight Worn Gloves From The Gene Tunney Bout Harry Greb was a tremendous fighter who possessed excellent endurance and stamina, constantly throwing punches from all directions, earning him the title of "The Human Windmill." Greb fought in an incredible 299 bouts with some the best fighters of his era. He became the middleweight champion winning a decision over Johnny Wilson in 1923 and made six successful title defenses. His most memorable middleweight victory was a points win over the legendary Mickey Walker in 1925. During his ring career Greb battled some of the top fighters from the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions including: Jack Dillon, Battling Levinsky, Mike McTigue, Tommy Loughran (six times), Maxie Rosenbloom, Gunboat Smith, Willie Meehan, Billy Miske and Gene Tunney. Tunney was an excellent boxer who retired with just one defeat listed on his record. Greb is the only man to have defeated Tunney, decisioning him in 1922 for the vacant American Light Heavyweight title. Offered here are the historic gloves Greb used in that contest. These gloves show expected wear, with tears just above the labels on the wrists and cracking in the leather. Each glove has the remnants of white paint that was applied by the staff at "The Ring" magazine which reads, "Harry Greb Won 15 Rounds Gene Tunney May 23, 1922 New York City." LOA from former "Ring" magazine employee Grant Elvis Phillips, in addition to an LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Harry Greb 1920 Fight Worn Gloves From Mickey Shannon Bout Harry Greb was certainly one of the most important and talented fighters of the early 20th century. Out of Pittsburgh, Greb was nicknamed "The Human Windmill", largely due to his relentless fighting style. In a career that began in 1913 and ended in 1926, Greb fought an incredible 299 fights, winning 264, losing 21 with 12 draws. He won the American Light Heavyweight Title in 1922 defeating Gene Tunney, the only man to do so in Tunney's professional career. In 1923 he defeated Johnny Wilson to win the World Middleweight Title. He held that title until 1926 when he lost it to Tiger Flowers. After failing in a rematch with Flowers, Greb was involved in an auto accident a few months later and died during the operation to repair his injuries. Greb finished his career with victories over many ring greats including Al McCoy, George Chip, Leo Houck, Frank Mantell, Battling Levinsky and Mike McTigue. Presented here are a pair of fight worn gloves used by Harry Greb in his fight with Mickey Shannon on October 28, 1920. The fight was held in Pittsburgh and Greb won a 10 round decision. The gloves come from the collection of fight trainer Jimmy DeForest. DeForest labeled the gloves inside. The right glove has written "'ICKY' HARRY GREB vs. MICKEY SHANNON GREB-WINS 10RD. DEC." The left glove has written inside, "-PLACE- EXPOSITION HALL PITTS: PA: YEAR: 1920 'DUKE' TO HAPPY CHEERIO." The gloves are missing the laces. The leather is worn and on the right glove at the wrist there is a hole exposing the horsehair interior. Still, in overall good condition for an 84 year old pair of gloves. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Mickey Walker 1931 Ring Magazine Championship Belt Mickey Walker, "The Toy Bulldog," was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on July 13, 1901. He began boxing professionally on February 10, 1919. Walker's career would last twenty years. On November 1, 1922 Walker defeated Jack Britton in 15 rounds in New York to win the World Welterweight Title. He would defend that title five times before losing it to Pete Latzo in 1926. That same year Walker moved up to the middleweight division and defeated Tiger Flowers to win the World Middleweight Title. He would defend that title three times before voluntarily relinquishing it in 1931. Walker failed in two attempts to win the World Light Heavyweight Title, losing to Tommy Loughran in 1929 and to Maxie Rosenbloom in 1933. One of the most colorful performers in the sport and a beloved figure, Walker finally called it quits in 1939. Presented here is the prestigious Ring Magazine Championship Belt presented to the great Mickey Walker. Although it is missing the sash, the belt is perfectly intact and consists of five connected plates highlighted by a large center plate. The center plate is engraved, "The Ring Magazine Merit Award To Mickey Walker." The remaining plates chronicle major accomplishments of his career including: "Greatest Fighter In Four Classes Since Fitsimmons," "Won Titles From Jack Britton and Tiger Flowers," "As Welter Champion Defeated Mike McTigue Light-Heavy King," and "Fought 15 Round Draw With Jack Sharkey." This belt was issued to Walker in 1931 making it one of the earliest Ring Belts ever offered at public auction. Each section is adorned with an eagle at the top and the center plate has 3-D bulldogs and boxing gloves in honor of Mickey Walker. A total of 23 inches long the belt is intact including the chains connecting the various plates. It is always a rare event when a Ring Magazine Belt is offered for sale, and rarer still when it involves a fighter of the historical importance of Mickey Walker. Comes with a photograph showing Mickey Walker with the belt. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Mickey Walker - Jack Sharkey 1931 Full Official Ticket Jack Sharkey fought Mickey Walker on July 22, 1931 at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn in a battle of major heavyweight contenders. The fight was actually billed as a Heavyweight Championship and ended in a draw after 15 rounds. Walker stood 5'-7" and was nicknamed "The Toy Bulldog." During his illustrious ring career he won the welterweight and middleweight championships. What really endeared Walker to boxing fans, however, was his fearlessness in taking on heavyweights and light heavyweights. Presented here is a full official ticket from this bout. This ticket measures 2.75" x 6.25" and lists both fighters. The corners are slightly soft and there are four punch holes, otherwise the ticket is clean and displays very well. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Kid Chocolate 1931 Fight Worn Robe Kid Chocolate was born on January 6, 1910 in Cuba. Chocolate defeated Benny Bass by TKO in the 7th round on July 15, 1931 to win the World Junior Lightweight Title. He later fought Tony Canzoneri for the World Lightweight Title, but was unsuccessful. "The Cuban Bon Bon" was one of the best in a long line of great Cuban fighters. Presented here is an extremely rare fight robe from that period belonging to Kid Chocolate. The robe is a full length brown silk with the words Chocolate Kid on the reverse. It was used in a number of his fights and would be classified as poor condition because of the considerable wear.This is one of the only pieces of fight equipment which belonged to this ring great to have ever surfaced and the lot also comes with a photograph of Chocolate wearing the robe. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Original Cover Art For Ring Magazine 1937 - "The Four Aces" A deck with four great aces is the subject of this painting on canvas by C.R. Scharre for the cover of the October, 1937 issue of The Ring Magazine The four aces represent four of the great champions of the day, Marcel Thil (Middleweight Champion), Barney Ross (Welterweight Champion), Sixto Escobar (Bantamweight Champion) and Lou Ambers (Lightweight Champion). The painting is in overall excellent condition and measures 21" x 28".
Jack Dempsey 1918 Fight Worn Gloves From Battling Levinsky Bout On November 6, 1918 Jack Dempsey fought Battling Levinsky in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dempsey was on a collision course with Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard and was eliminating contenders to put himself in position for a shot at the title. He had fought sixteen fights in 1918 alone leading up to Levinsky and had beaten the likes of Bill Brennan, Arthur Pelkey, Fred Fulton and Carl Morris, all leading contenders. Levinsky posed a serious challenge. He was the reigning Light Heavyweight Champion of the World having won that title from Jack Dillon in 1916. As a heavyweight he had already beaten Gunboat Smith and Brennan and was a seasoned fighter. The fight turned out one sided with Dempsey unleashing the power and relentless attack that would destroy Willard the next year. Levinsky was easily beaten and knocked out in the third round. Presented here are the actual fight worn gloves used by Jack Dempsey in his fight with Battling Levinsky. The gloves come from the collection of Dempsey trainer, Jimmy DeForest. Each glove is initialed inside by DeForest in ink. Inside the right glove DeForest has written Jack Dempsey vs. Bat Levinsky. Inside the left glove DeForest has written Jack Dempsey vs. Bat Levinsky Nov 6 1918. The gloves are well worn. The writing inside is light, but readable. There are remnants of the laces on one glove. There are numerous small tears in the leather and some flaking. Made of horsehair and leather and extremely lightweight. When you handle these gloves you can imagine the power and fury unleashed by this powerful champion. One of the most significant pairs of boxing gloves to ever be offered at public sale. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Willard-Dempsey 1939 Fight Film Poster A spectacular 3 sheet poster for the fight film, "The Birth Of A Champion" from the Willard-Dempsey fight of July 4, 1919 in which Jack Dempsey emerged as heavyweight champion of the world. This poster has been professionally linen backed for preservation. There's some minor restoration evident, but overall the poster is in excellent condition. Released in 1939, the first year fight films could be legally transported across state lines. A very seldom seen poster, especially in this large format size.
Jack Dempsey - Jess Willard Full Unused Ticket The half-starved young man who rode the roads and slept in the hobo jungles to survive, finally got the opportunity he had dreamed about all his life. On July 4, 1919 a lean and hungry Dempsey entered the ring as a determined man and from the opening bell tore savagely into the mammoth champion Jess Willard. Seven times Willard hit the canvas in the first round and absorbed the worst beating a heavyweight champion has ever taken. At the end of three rounds the courageous Willard could take no more and Dempsey was crowned the new champ. Here is a full ticket from that historic fight that is in excellent condition.
Jack Dempsey - Gene Tunney 1927 "Long Count" Full Unused Ticket Jack Dempsey fought Gene Tunney for the second time on September 22, 1927 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Tunney out pointed Dempsey until the 7th round when Dempsey landed a volley of punches sending Tunney crashing to the canvas. Dempsey failed to go immediately to a neutral corner and referee Dave Barry delayed the count. But instead of picking up the count with the timekeeper, Barry started the count at one, giving Tunney several extra seconds to regain his feet. The very next round Tunney dropped Dempsey with a chopping right and Barry immediately started the count, without sending Tunney to a neutral corner! Thus was born the celebrated "long count" fight that has remained a controversy to this day. Presented here is an extremely rare full, official ticket to this event that includes section, row and seat numbers. The ticket measures 2 5/8" x 6 3/4" and is in excellent condition with a clean front and back. Both fighters are ornately pictured and the stub is still firmly attached. This ticket is an extremely rare 1st row ticket. These ringside tickets were printed using four different types of ink and the illustrations on the back have an embossed feel, which is different from the standard ticket issued. One of the best examples we've seen.
Jack Dempsey - Gene Tunney 1927 "Long Count" Full Unused Ticket Jack Dempsey fought Gene Tunney for the second time on September 22, 1927 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Tunney out-pointed Dempsey until the 7th round when Dempsey landed a volley of punches sending Tunney crashing to the canvas. Dempsey failed to go immediately to a neutral corner and referee Dave Barry delayed the count. But instead of picking up the count with the timekeeper, Barry started the count at one, giving Tunney several extra seconds to regain his feet. The very next round Tunney dropped Dempsey with a chopping right and Barry immediately started the count, without sending Tunney to a neutral corner! Thus was born the celebrated "long count" fight that has remained a controversy to this day. Presented here is a full, official ticket to this event that includes section, row and seat numbers. The ticket measures 2.5" x 6.75" and is in fine condition with a clean front and back, minor edge wear and some slight scraping on the reverse. Both fighters are ornately pictured and the stub is still firmly attached. One of the better examples we've seen. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Dempsey-Tunney II 1927 Official Fight Program Offered here is the official program from the 1927 Dempsey-Tunney "Long Count" bout. The cover has some light soiling, a slight center crease, and two staple holes at the very top, but is overall in excellent condition.
Dempsey-Tunney 1974 Signed Print A 1974 Living Legends print (#1421 of 1500), put out by Sports Illustrated to honor ring combatants Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey, who have both boldly signed the print on the lower border. Approximately 18.5" x 22". In fine condition with very minor edge wear. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Dempsey-Firpo Motion Picture Signed Contract On September 14, 1923 Jack Dempsey successfully defended his World Heavyweight Title stopping the "Wild Bull of the Pampas" Luis Firpo of Argentina in two rounds at the Polo Grounds in New York. The fight was a wild affair with both fighters down in the 1st round and Dempsey literally knocked out of the ring. Dempsey recovered and inflicted a heavy beating on the giant from South America before ending it with a knockout in the 2nd round. Offered here is a two page original contract dealing with the motion picture rights of this great fight. Signed and agreed upon before for the fight, this contract includes bold ink signatures of Jack Dempsey, his manager Jack Kearns and famous promoter George "Tex" Rickard. The contract is a typed document in its original, unaltered state and is in excellent condition. Any contract from this era is rare, a contract from a fight of this importance is almost unique. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Jack Dempsey 1920s Bronzed Fight Worn Boxing Glove Jack Dempsey was one of the most ferocious fighters in ring history. His savage knockout of Jess Willard in the 1919 Heavyweight Championship fight instantly galvanized his legend as the "Manassa Mauler." Through the roaring 1920s Dempsey's thunderous fist pounded out victories against the likes of Bill Brennan, George Carpentier, Luis Firpo and Jack Sharkey. His fights drew record attendance that has not been equaled to this day. Offered here is one of Dempsey's fight worn gloves that was bronzed for the ages. The details of the glove are wonderfully preserved. One can only imagine, gazing at this bronzed covered glove, of the steel that was once inside. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey 1921 Sterling Silver Trophy From Tex Rickard On July 2, 1921 at Boyles Thirty Acres in Jersey City, New Jersey, World Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey successfully defended his title for the third time by stopping the game Frenchman Georges Carpentier in four rounds. This fight was held under the promotion of George "Tex" Rickard and became the biggest fight of all time, with gate proceeds reaching over $1,000,000 for the first time in boxing history. The total in attendance for the event was over 80,000, a record at the time. In attendance were some of the most prominent people of the day, including women. No one left disappointed. Carpentier gave his best effort, landing several punches that had stopped lesser foes, but not Jack Dempsey. The fight finished in the fourth when Dempsey landed a terrific right hand to the heart, a punch that put Carpentier in what Grantland Rice referred to as "the poppy field of unconsciousness." Rice summed up the victory simply, "Human flesh and bone are still softer than iron." Tex Rickard was the great promoter of the day. He recognized the box office attraction in Dempsey and steadily courted him, something he felt necessary due to the friction present between himself and Dempsey's manager Jack Kearns. Two days after the event Rickard presented Dempsey with a beautiful sterling silver cup which is offered here. This magnificent sterling silver cup stands 11" high and is in wonderful condition. There are two dime-sized dents in the cup, one on the front at the bottom of the inscription and one on the back at the upper left, which are mentioned for the sake of accuracy, but do not detract from the overall appearance of the piece. The cup is inscribed, "To Jack Dempsey Heavyweight Champion Of The World And 'My Friend' From Tex Rickard July 4th, 1921 New York City." Offered here is an extremely historic and important cup that was given to Dempsey by his promoter, commemorating one of the biggest events in the history of professional boxing. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey 1924 Sterling Silver Loving Cup Jack Dempsey won the World Heavyweight Title on July 4, 1919 with a savage knockout victory over reigning champion Jess Willard. The ruggedly handsome Dempsey was a violent fighter and a great crowd favorite. He epitomized the rugged individualist, worshipped by both men and women, of the wide-open era known as "The Roaring 20's." Dempsey, as Heavyweight Champion, symbolized a new generation of Americans who were beginning to embrace the nation's might and power that surfaced in the aftermath of World War I. Offered here is a wonderful trophy presented to Jack Dempsey by his friends of this era. This ornate sterling silver cup stands 9.25" high and reads, "This Cup Is Always Filled With Friendship True That Sparkles With Good Wishes Which We Send, A Token Of Esteem Tendered To Our Comrade Jack Dempsey From Gene Fowler, Douglas Fairbanks, Tom Mix, W.C. Fields, Charlie Chaplin, Charles Beyer, Harold Lloyd, Pathe Studios Hollywood 1924." Beautiful in every detail, this wonderful loving cup stands as a magnificent monument to our nations past. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey 1927 Loving Cup A beautiful two-piece loving cup presented to former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. This ornately etched cup states, "Greetings to Jack Dempsey, A Fighting Man from Culver City Boxing Arena, Culver City, California, August 4, 1927." This cup was presented to Jack Dempsey while he was still an active fighter and a little more than a month before one of his most famous bouts, the "long count" rematch with Gene Tunney. This cup has a beautiful brown sheen, stands 21" high and is in fine condition with almost no flaws. Any trophy given to a fighter of Dempsey's stature is rare, particularly the ones that are received while the fighter is still active. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey 1929 Crippled Children Fund Silver Cup Offered here is a large silver cup that was presented to former Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey on October 22, 1929. This ornately engraved cup was given to Dempsey by E.L. Jordan of the Elks Crippled Children Fund for his work in their benefit boxing show held in Springfield, Illinois. An ornate design of grapes and leaves form a beautiful border atop this outstanding display piece which measures 19" x 14". The cup is still in fine condition with only minor wear and slight toning. A scarce award given to one of boxing's greatest fighters who was the very definition of the word champion, in and out of the ring. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey 1957 Loving Cup This stunning 19.5" high loving cup was presented to Jack Dempsey in 1957. The cup is comprised of metal on a bakelite base and is inscribed, "Golden Deed Citation 1957 United Cerebral Palsy of Jacksonville, Fla. Award To Jack Dempsey..." Here again is another fine award given to this great man well after his boxing career had finished. Dempsey continued with his charitable work well into the twilight of his life, proving that he was indeed a true champion in and out of the ring. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey "Sack Of Shelby" Sterling Silver Bowl Jack Dempsey successfully defended his World Heavyweight Title on July 4, 1923, winning a 15 round decision over Tommy Gibbons in Shelby, Montana. Shelby was a "boomtown" in 1923, the result of an oil strike the year prior. Still, it was a relatively small town that some of the local businessmen and state officials wanted to bring more attention to. With this thought in mind they pursued Dempsey and his manager "Doc" Kearns with the hopes of staging a Heavyweight Championship bout. Dempsey was a huge attraction on the heels of his victories over Willard and Carpentier and townsmen reasoned that his presence would put Shelby on the map. Kearns insisted on a $300,000 guarantee and got an upfront payment of $100,000. The second payment was more difficult. Rumors had begun to circulate that the fight was a hoax, which hurt ticket sales and made advance loans difficult, but an arrangement were made and the fight was staged. The third payment was agreed to come off the top of the paying gate at the arena. When the rail lines refused to set up special trains to transport fans to the fight because of the hoax rumors the fight was doomed. Only a little over 7,000 attended and the paid receipts did not reach $100,000. Many of the locals congregated on a hill behind the arena and watched the fight for free. Gibbons had agreed on a percentage of the profits which were never realized, so he fought for free. Dempsey and Kearns got most of their money, but had to flee the town to avoid the wrath of the locals. Three banks failed shortly after the fight. Dempsey and his crafty manager were the only two to make anything from the fight, which literally bankrupted the town. Presented here is a wonderful commemorative from this fight. It is a sterling silver bowl presented to Jack Dempsey (before the fight) as a measure of thanks for coming. It was given to Dempsey by the Mayor of Shelby, a character in his own right, who had offered Kearns 50,000 head of sheep in lieu of the second $100,000 payment. Kearns, now staying in New York, refused the offer while wondering what one might do with sheep in New York. This bowl is 14" long and 3" high formed in the shape of an oval. Inscribed inside it reads, "Presented To Jack Dempsey World's Heavyweight Champion From Jim Johnson Mayor Shelby, Montana July 4, 1923." The bowl has some small dents. The inscription was engraved by hand and is bold and readable. Offered here is a truly outstanding commemorative from one of the most controversial events in boxing history. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey's 1938 Edward J. Neil Boxing Writers' Award The Edward J. Neil Memorial Award began in 1938 and has become one of the most important and coveted awards presented annually by the Boxing Writers' Association for outstanding service to boxing. This award is listed in the bible of boxing, "Ring Record Book", that was issued annually by "The Ring" until 1987. Recipients have included Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Mike Tyson. The very first award, which was presented in 1938, was given to Jack Dempsey. Dempsey, although long retired at that point, was recognized for all he had done for the sport of boxing. This magnificent award is metal on wood and measures 9.5" x 14.75" and is in fine condition. The award reads, "The Edward J. Neil Memorial For Outstanding Service To Boxing In 1938 Presented By Boxing Writers' Association Of New York To Jack Dempsey." This is arguably the most prestigious award a fighter can receive aside from the Ring Magazine Championship Belt. This was the very first Neil Award given and it was given to one of the greatest fighters to ever lace the gloves, Jack Dempsey. Don't miss this rare opportunity to acquire a truly historic piece of boxing memorabilia. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Jack Dempsey Signed Glove A regulation sized red Everlast leather glove signed by one of boxings greatest champions, Jack Dempsey. The signature is inscribed, "To John Eparry Jack Dempsey." Signed in felt pen which has faded slightly into the leather, but is still vivid and readable. A very rare single signed glove. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Jack Dempsey Autographed Painting Heavyweight Champion Jack Dempsey, presented in a full fight pose, is the subject of this oil painting on board. Dempsey has signed and inscribed the painting in the lower left corner, " To My Pals Lew & Tony Best Of Luck Jack Dempsey" with the date 1949. The signature is a little light, but perfectly readable. The artist is not named. The painting measures 24" x 35" and has a few nicks and light soiling. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Multi Champions Signed Headgear A tan color leather headgear made by Benlee which has been signed in ink by the following world champions: Tommy Burns, Abe Attell (of Black Sox fame), Rocky Marciano, Rocky Graziano, Gene Tunney and Hall Of Fame trainer Ray Arcel. All in vintage ink, signed at the same time. The signatures are bold against a light brown background. Wonderful display piece for the avid boxing autograph collector. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Joe Louis 1933 Golden Gloves Trophy Joe Louis is regarded by many to be the greatest heavyweight champion in boxing history. A winner of the World Heavyweight Title in 1937, Louis held that title for eleven years, a record that stands to this day. Among his professional accomplishments were victories over Primo Carnera, Max Baer, Billy Conn, Max Schmeling, James J. Braddock, Jack Sharkey and Jersey Joe Walcott, all world champions. Louis' career as a professional was preceded by a fine career as an amateur fighter in which he was winner of numerous tournaments, including the renowned Golden Gloves. Presented here is Joe Louis' 1933 Golden Gloves Trophy that was awarded to him by the Detroit Free Press. The trophy measures 11.5" high and has a slight bend at the top and some minor scratches, none of which detracts from its natural beauty. On the face of the trophy is inscribed, "Detroit Free Press Golden Gloves 1933 Awarded to Joe Louis 175 LBS Novice." It is a measure of Louis' significance that this award was given to him with his name inscribed on it, a practice not often seen with amateur awards. The award passed from Louis to his personal friend and barber, Sylvester Touchstone and includes a copy of a letter from Louis to Touchstone. There is also a letter from the estate liquidator who handled the sale of Mr. Touchstone's estate. This is an extremely rare offering that chronicles the rise of one of boxing's most beloved champions. The importance of this award is greatly magnified since it represents the Golden Gloves, a contest of historical significance, making it truly special. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Louis - Braddock 1937 Official Program Joe Louis finally got his chance when he fought James J. Braddock on June 22, 1937 in Chicago for the Heavyweight Championship. Louis made the most of his opportunity when he knocked Braddock out in the 8th round to win the World Heavyweight Title. Presented here is the scarce official program to the Louis - Braddock championship fight. The program contains 24 pages, with profiles and photos of both fighters. It is unscored with a slight center crease, good tight binding, some cover wear and a crease in lower right corner. The interior is generally clean with a small hole on page three which does not detract. Overall a very nice example.
Joe Louis - Max Schmeling II 1938 Full Unused Ticket Joe Louis fought Max Schmeling for the second time on June 22, 1938 at Yankee Stadium. Schmeling had knocked out Louis in their first match in 12 rounds, temporarily halting Louis' meteoric rise toward the title. Their rematch became a global event. Adolf Hitler had risen to power and was preaching the superiority or the "Aryan Race," using Schmeling as a propaganda tool. The whole nation rallied behind Louis who brutally knocked out Schmeling in the first round to retain the World Heavyweight Title. When Schmeling hit the canvas, Hitler had the plug pulled on the broadcast to Germany. Presented here is an official full ticket from this bout. This full ticket measures 2.75" x 7.25" and has both fighters listed and pictured. Their names are written in raised gold print. The section, row and seat are listed. The ticket is clean with no rips or tears and slightly soft corners. Offered here is fine example of a scarce and desirable full ticket from one of the most famous fights in boxing history. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Louis-Schmeling II 1938 Official Program Joe Louis fought Max Schmeling for the second time on June 22, 1938 at Yankee Stadium. Louis knocked Schmeling out in the first round to regain the World Heavyweight Title in one of the most celebrated fights in boxing history. Presented here is an official program from this bout. This official program is 8.75" x 11" and pictures both fighters on the cover. Profiles and photographs are featured inside. This 24 page program is relatively clean inside and out and has not been scored. There are two vertical creases. Here's an opportunity to acquire a scarce and always desirable program. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Louis-Schmeling 1973 Signed Print Joe Louis and Max Schmeling will forever be linked in boxing history. In June, 1936 Schmeling stopped Louis, inflicting the first defeat in the Brown Bomber's career. This was done during the rise of the Nazis in Germany and Schmeling's victory was used to support their racist propaganda and philosophies, views naturally not shared by Max Schmeling. In 1937 Louis defeated Jimmy Braddock to win the Heavyweight Title. This set the stage for one of the most historic fights boxing has ever seen, the rematch between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling. It was held before 80,000 people at Yankee Stadium in New York. There was tremendous political pressure being put on both men by their respective governments, desperately seeking a victory to support the philosophies of the parties in power. This was much more than just a fight. Joe Louis became a hero of not only America, but of all the free world as he stopped Schmeling in the very first round. After the fight these two men remained lifelong friends. In 1973 Sports Illustrated, as part of its Living Legends series, issued a print by artist Bob Peak as a tribute to Joe Louis and Max Schmeling. Presented here is one of the 1500 prints done in 1973 that was signed by Max Schmeling and Joe Louis. Joe Louis signed this print in New York in August, 1973. Max Schmeling signed the print in July, 1973 in Hamburg, Germany. Comes with the original matting issued with the print. The print has good strong color and measures 21" x 25". Signed boldly in pencil along the lower border. In fine condition with no creases, rips, or tears. The mount has a compression in upper left corner. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Joe Louis & Billy Conn Signed Photograph A great combination on one photograph, Joe Louis and Billy Conn, two men forever linked in one of boxings most memorable fights, each has boldly signed in blue ink on this remarkable action photograph. A very rare combination on one photo, and rarer still on an oversized photo, as this one measures 16"x20". Professionally framed. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Joe Louis Rare 1941 Pennant A magnificent illustrated pennant of Joe Louis, that can be seen being sold by vendors in crowd scenes at his fight with Billy Conn in 1941. A 26" felt pennant with some slight fading and wear to the felt in several areas. Small tack holes in the corner in no way detract from the beauty of this rarely seen pennant.
Louis-Galento One Sheet Fight Film Poster An illustrated one sheet (26 x 40) poster, advertising the showing for the famous fight film featuring Joe Louis and "Two Ton" Tony Galento. Louis stopped Galento to retain his title, but was knocked down by Galento in the process. The insert photo is of that knockdown. Paper, with tear on right edge, some soiling and tack holes. Original folds. Rare version.
Joe Louis Circa 1940's Fight Worn Gloves A pair of actual fight worn gloves used by the great Joe Louis. These gloves have a 1940s Everlast manufacturing label at each wrist. They are stamped EFG8 by Everlast, which indicates they are 8 ounce fight gloves. These are not training gloves. These gloves came from the collection of Louis trainer Mannie Seamon and were originally offered for sale in the 1990 Guernsey sale which featured items from his collection. The gloves still bear the original tag from that sale (A-186). The specific fight these were worn in is not known, but the gloves are unmistakably fight worn. The gloves show considerable wear, but are perfectly intact. An extremely rare opportunity to purchase actual fight worn gloves from one of the most beloved champions in the history of boxing. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Joe Louis Fight Worn Trunks Joe Louis, "The Brown Bomber," won the World Heavyweight Title in 1937. He held that title for eleven years, a record that still stands to this day. One of the most prolific punchers in the history of the heavyweight division, Louis was a champion that met all comers. He retired with an incredible ring record which included victories over Max Baer, Jack Sharkey, James J. Braddock, Primo Carnera, Max Schmeling, Billy Conn and Jersey Joe Walcott, each a champion in his own right. One of the most coveted collectibles of great former champions is the ring attire worn in combat. Offered here are a pair of trunks once used by Joe Louis. These trunks are purple satin with blue trim. On the waistband is found the manufacturer's label for Everlast with the added logo, "Made Expressly For Joe Louis." On the lower left leg are the initials "JL". The trunks were originally given to a business associate of Joe Louis by the champ and are offered with a letter of authenticity explaining how they were obtained. Slight fading, but in overall fine condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Joe Louis Circa 1940 Clock Created by "Sessions" in the early 1940s, this 12" table clock displays a beautifully sculptured bust image of one of boxing's most beloved champions. Superb in every detail, with an attractive bronze patina, this is the perfect timepiece for any fight fan or sports historian.
Ozzie Sweet Negatives Featuring Joe Louis (5) Ozzie Sweet's work has been displayed on over 1700 magazine covers, including Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, Saturday Evening Post, Playboy and Argosy He was the photographer for many of the covers of Sport Magazine during the 1950s and 1960s. Here he has captured the great "Brown Bomber," Joe Louis, in the twilight of his career in 5 different studio poses. Each of these one-of-a-kind negatives is in color and all are in excellent condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Joe Louis 1948 Important Appreciation Award Joe Louis was, simply stated, one of the greatest champions of all time. He won the World Heavyweight title in 1937 and held it for eleven years, a record that lives to this day. His great victories included wins over such notable opponents as Max Schmeling, Billy Conn, Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles, Primo Carnera and Jack Sharkey, all champions in their own right. For much of his career, Louis trained in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. In 1948 he was recognized by this community and given the award of appreciation which is offered here. An 11" x 15" metal on wood plaque which reads, "To JOE LOUIS In Sincere Appreciation For The Many Kind Words You Have Uttered In Behalf Of A Grateful Community, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey Chamber Of Commerce Of Pompton Lakes May 19, 1948." This significant award was given to Joe Louis while he was champion training for his June, 1948 bout with Walcott. This attractive award is adorned with three stars above the plaque. There are some wood and metal scratches and the original chain on the reverse needs to be reattached. Overall a beautiful item which will make a wonderful display for one of the greatest men boxing has ever known, a man sportswriter Jimmy Cannon summed up perfectly saying, "Joe Louis is a credit to his race, the human race." LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Joe & Martha Louis 1978 Signed Print A 1978 print entitled, "The Immortal Joe Louis" by Michael Natek, which has been boldly signed by both Joe Louis and his third wife Martha Louis. Inscribed, "With Love to David & Ricka Joe Louis Martha Louis." 17" x 24", with some surface wear. Clean and matted. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Sugar Ray Robinson - Henry Armstrong 1943 Full Unused Ticket On August 27, 1943 Sugar Ray Robinson fought Henry Armstrong in New York at Madison Square Garden. Robinson had won 43 of his first 44 professional fights and was emerging as a "can't miss" star in the welterweight division. Armstrong, at age thirty, was in the twilight of what had been one of the most decorated careers in the history of boxing. Already a three-weight class champion Armstrong, even at this stage of his career, was considered a dangerous opponent for any foe. This night however would belong to Robinson who won a one-sided ten round decision, easily out-pointing his aging opponent. Presented here is an extremely rare, unused official ticket to this event. This official ticket measures 2.25" x 6", names both fighters and includes section, row and seat number. The ticket has been laminated and shows minor edge and surface wear but overall is in excellent condition. This is the only example of this extremely rare full ticket that we've seen. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Sugar Ray Robinson 1940 Gold Gloves Charm Sugar Ray Robinson is considered by many to be the greatest fighter of all time. Often overlooked because of his accomplishments as a professional, are his achievements as an amateur. Robinson amassed one of the most prestigious records in the history of amateur boxing and was certainly one of the greatest fighters in the history of the Golden Gloves. Presented here is the Golden Gloves charm given to Sugar Ray Robinson in 1940 for his victory in the lightweight open division. The charm consists of two gloves with a diamond in between. On the right glove is engraved, "The News Welfare Assn. Inc. Golden Gloves, 1940, 135 lbs., open." Here's a rare opportunity to own a great piece of boxing history; a prestigious award that belonged to arguably boxing's greatest fighter.Accompanying the charm is a letter of authenticity from the son of Sugar Ray Robinson with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Sugar Ray Robinson 1949 Top Performer In Boxing Trophy Sugar Ray Robinson is the man considered by many boxing historians to have been the greatest fighter, "pound for pound," who ever fought. His career stretched over three decades. He won the World Welterweight Title and went on to win the World Middleweight Title as well. His career included victories over a virtual "Who's Who" of boxing, men like: Sammy Angott, Henry Armstrong, "Kid" Gavilan, Tommy Bell, Jake LaMotta, "Bobo" Olson, Gene Fullmer, Randy Turpin and Carmen Basilio. In 1950 Sport Magazine voted Robinson the "Top Performer" for 1949 and presented him with this trophy. Robinson earned the award for his performances in the ring that included victories over Kid Gavilan and Steve Belloise. The trophy stands 17.5" tall. It features a solid bronze figure on a wood base with a plaque that reads, "To Ray Robinson Top Performer of 1949 in Boxing January 19, 1950." This trophy is in fine condition with no noticeable flaws. Here's an opportunity to acquire a rare and important award from one of boxing's all-time greats. Accompanying the trophy is a letter of authenticity from the wife of Sugar Ray Robinson with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Sugar Ray Robinson 1951 Signed License Application Sugar Ray Robinson's New York State License Application signed by him in pen and dated August 23, 1951. Robinson had lost his World Middleweight Title to Randy Turpin on July 10, 1951 in London. This historic license application is for the rematch fight which was held at the Polo Grounds in New York on September 12, 1951. Robinson regained his title stopping Turpin in the 10th round in front of his hometown crowd. This application is index card size. On one side Robinson is pictured with an original photo. His signature appears on the reverse. There are three punch holes, one of which does go through the end of Robinson's signature. Otherwise fine. A rare and significant document from this great champion. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Sugar Ray Robinson Cornerman Sweater This is a beautiful navy blue, wool cornerman's sweater, that was worn by Harry Wiley when he worked in the corner of boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson. Wiley's name is stitched in gold on the front. On the reverse, in gold block letters, is that of Sugar Ray Robinson. This sweater shows only minor wear. Accompanying the sweater is a letter of authenticity from the son of Sugar Ray Robinson with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Sugar Ray Robinson Sparring Gloves (Two Pairs) Two pairs of Everlast oversized training gloves that were used by the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson. These gloves were used in sparring sessions during the 1940s and 1950s and are well worn. The gloves have the Everlast label and are faded with some leather loss. Accompanying the gloves is a letter of authenticity from the son of Sugar Ray Robinson with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Sugar Ray Robinson 1946 Championship Fight Worn Trunks From The Tommy Bell Bout On December 20, 1946 Sugar Ray Robinson fought Tommy Bell at Madison Square Garden in New York. Robinson won a hard fought 15 round decision to capture the vacant World Welterweight Title. This was Robinson's first title and it had finally come after a long journey. Robinson had 75 fights going into this bout since turning professional in 1940. In all these fights he had only lost once, to Jake LaMotta, and had avenged that loss in a rematch. In addition to LaMotta, he had already defeated ring greats Henry Armstrong, Fritzie Zivic, Marty Servo, Sammy Angott, and the man he would fight for the title, Tommy Bell. Presented here are the actual fight worn trunks used by Sugar Ray Robinson in his first title fight with Tommy Bell. The trunks are made by "BENLEE" and their label appears on the waistband. The trunks are black with red trim and show wear, but are still in overall fine condition. Sugar Ray Robinson gave these trunks to his sister Evelyn after the fight and they remained in her possession until 1999. Accompanying the trunks is a letter of authenticity from the sister of Sugar Ray Robinson, Evelyn Nelson, with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Willie Pep 1948 Ring Magazine Championship Belt From Saddler Bout Willie Pep, the "Will o' the Wisp," was born Guglielmo Papaleo in Middletown, Connecticut on September 19, 1922. He started his professional boxing career in 1940 and fought until 1966, amassing a record of 230-11-1. On July 21, 1942, Pep, fighting as a featherweight, won a 12 round decision over Abe Denner in Hartford, Connecticut to win the New England Featherweight Championship. In November of that same year Pep went on to win the World Featherweight Title by defeating Chalky Wright. He held that title until October 29, 1948 when he was stopped in the 4th round by Sandy Saddler in New York. Pep got a rematch and regained his title by winning a 15 round decision over Saddler in New York four months later. Presented here is the Ring Magazine Championship Belt awarded to this great champion for his victory over Sandy Saddler in 1948. A beautiful 32" long belt with red, white and blue cloth sash and leather straps. The belt sports a large center plate with an eagle at the top and states, "The Ring Magazine Award Won By Willie Pep." This plate has an enamel flag at the bottom flanked by two boxing gloves. There are two side plates. The right plate reads, "Defeated Sandy Saddler In Madison Square Garden 15 Rounds." The left plate reads, "World Feather-Weight Championship Feb. 11, 1949." The plates are perfectly attached to the sash. There is almost no natural color fading of the sash and no tarnishing of the plates. Some very minor soiling to the sash. One of the finest conditioned championship belts from this era that has ever been seen at public sale, unaltered in its original state. Championship belts are the most desirable collectible in boxing. A championship belt from one of the greatest fighters in the history of the ring is a very rare and important offering. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Marcel Cerdan Signed Photo A very scarce signed photograph of the great French World Middleweight Champion Marcel Cerdan. Cerdan won the title from Tony Zale and lost it to Jake LaMotta. On his way back to the United States in 1949 he was tragically killed in a plane crash off the coast of Casablanca. Offered here is a 4" x 6" studio photo, featuring Cerdan in a fight pose, which he has signed in ink. One of the more difficult signed photographs to find in boxing. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Rocky Graziano 1951 Autographed & Fight Worn Gloves From Tony Janiro Bout Rocky Graziano began fighting professionally in 1942. A colorful performer, Graziano quickly established himself as one of the leading contenders in the middleweight division. His fights with Tony Zale are still talked about to this day. Graziano stopped Zale on July 16, 1947 to win the World Middleweight Title. Graziano is a member of the Boxing Hall Of Fame and was the subject of a book, later made into a movie, "Somebody Up There Likes Me." These are the actual gloves used by Graziano in his fight with Tony Janiro in Detroit on September 19, 1951. Janiro was the fighter portrayed as a "pretty boy" in the movie "Raging Bull", who was destroyed by Jake LaMotta after his wife Vicki spoke affectionately of him before the fight. Graziano won a 10 round decision wearing these gloves. The gloves were given to Michigan State Boxing Commissioner Floyd Stevens after the fight. Rocky Graziano signed both gloves on the inside when he gave them to the Commissioner. These are red Everlast gloves that are in overall excellent condition, with one small tear on the right glove. A small part of the original laces are also present. A detailed LOA from Kent Stevens, the son of the late Floyd Stevens, accompanies this lot. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Clay, Louis & Robinson Signed Display Many experts would argue that the three greatest fighters of all time were Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis. Presented here is a fantastic photograph of Cassius Clay posing with Robinson and Louis. Three vintage signatures have been placed under the photo and professionally framed. All three are bold ink signatures are bold and mint measuring approximately 2" x 3 1/2", with the photograph at 8" x 10". The Clay is dated 1962. An incredible display of three all time greats. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports, Inc.
Rocky Marciano 1948 Amateur Championship Belt Rocky Marciano was the only man in the history of boxing to retire as Heavyweight Champion with a perfect professional record of (49-0). His victims included Joe Louis, Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore. His start in boxing, however, was about as rocky as his name. His first amateur bout was on April 15, 1946 and was a disaster. On furlough from the army, still a smoker and eating plenty of that good Italian home cooking, Marciano was not in fight condition. Worse, his opponent Harry Lester was a three-time Gold Gloves champion. Marciano quickly ran out of gas and was disqualified for deliberately kicking Lester in the second round. His promising career could have ended right there, but he kept at it and actually had his first pro fight in March, 1947, fighting under the name of Rocky Mack to keep his mother from knowing. He won that fight, but decided to give baseball a try and went for a tryout with the Cubs farm team in March, 1947. His erratic throwing as a catcher caused his failure. He went back to boxing, this time for good. In January, 1948 he entered the Golden Gloves Tournament in Lowell, Massachusetts. He stopped both opponents to win that tournament. He went on to win the AAU Championship, but a hand injury kept him from the Olympics. He resumed a pro career in July, 1948 and the rest is history. Presented here is the actual championship belt given to Rocky Marciano for his victory as an amateur in the Golden Gloves in Lowell, Massachusetts. The belt still has its original white and red sash which, although frayed, is perfectly intact. The center buckle states, "N.E. Golden Gloves Tournament Of Champions Lowell Sun Charities" and in each corner of the buckle are the words, "WGT HVY 19 48." Framed with a plaque which reads, "Rocky Marciano N.E. Golden Gloves Tournament Of Champions 1948 Championship Belt." The belt is approximately 35 inches long. The belt comes with an LOA from the brother of Rocky Marciano. One of the most historic and important items of memorabilia to be offered at public sale of this great champion. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Rocky Marciano Training Gloves (Joe Louis Fight) In 1951 Rocky Marciano was one of the leading contenders for a title shot when his manager Al Weill arranged for him to meet Joe Louis. Weill figured that if Marciano could beat Louis the victory would propel him to the top of the contender list. Rocky didn't want the fight. He had tremendous respect for Louis and knew that the former champion's skills had diminished. He knew Louis had been a great champion and didn't want his career ending with a knockout. Nevertheless, the fight took place on October 26th, 1951. Joe Louis was ring wise and gave Marciano a good fight until Rocky's sledgehammer blows caught up to him in the 8th round. The fight ended with Joe Louis being knocked through the ropes, thus ending his illustrious career. Marciano's career was now on the fast track that would bring him a shot at the title the following year. Offered here is a pair of G & S oversized training gloves which came from the collection of amateur fighter Lou Orlando. Mr. Orlando collected gloves of his favorite fighters and Rocky Marciano was his favorite. Mr. Orlando labeled the gloves in white paint on the backhand, "Rocky Marciano Training Gloves Given To Me At Stillmans Gym Training For His Fight With Joe Louis Rocky K.O. Joe Louis 8th Rd. Oct. 26, 1951." These 16 ounce gloves are in good shape showing the normal wear from use in the gym. A wonderful opportunity to own a pair of gloves worn by The Rock in preparation for one of his most famous fights. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports, Inc.
Rocky Marciano & Joe Louis Autographed Glove A black and gold Joe Louis model regulation sized glove which has been signed in ink by Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano on the gold leather. Arguably the two greatest heavyweights of all time and certainly in their era, it is extremely rare to find these two signatures alone on a single glove. This is the only glove to date we have seen signed by these two ring greats. The signatures are a bit light, but still perfectly readable rating about a 7 out of 10. The glove is in fine condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton JO Sports, Inc.
1952 Marciano-Walcott I Full Unused Ticket On September 23, 1952, Rocky Marciano landed one of the most famous punches in boxing history, stopping Jersey Joe Walcott in the 13th round to win the World Heavyweight Title. Presented here is a rare, full, unused ticket to that event held at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia. The ticket is not creased and the stub is still firmly attached. There is one scrape on right edge and two light stains. Good sharp images of both fighters and very little fading. A rare example of a very desirable full ticket which includes section, row and seat number. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Rocky Marciano Signed Photograph "The Brockton Blockbuster" Rocky Marciano was born on September 1, 1923 in Brockton, Mass. On September 23, 1952 he won the World Heavyweight Title from Jersey Joe Walcott with a come from behind 13th round knockout. He retired as the only undefeated heavyweight champion on April 27, 1956 with a final record of 49-0 with 43 KO's. Presented here is a signed photograph of Rocky, inscribed to Floyd Stevens, who was the commissioner of the Michigan Athletic Commission in the 1940s and 1950s. Marciano has boldly signed this 8" x 10" photo in blue ink with the following description, "Floyd Stevens, Best to my Friend Rocky Marciano." There are light surface creases in the corners and along the edges, otherwise the photograph is in excellent condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Rocky Marciano 1953 Silver Plate Award Rocky Marciano won the Heavyweight Title from Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952 with one of the most famous punches to end a fight ever thrown. In 1953 he twice defended the title successfully, once against Walcott in their rematch, and then again in another rematch with Roland LaStarza. During 1953 Marciano also made a tour of the Orient which included a stop in Japan. While there he was presented with a sterling silver plate award from World Flyweight Champion Yoshio Shirai. This plate, offered here, is 13"x7" and is inscribed, "To Rocky Marciano World Heavyweight Champion From: Yoshio Shirai World Flyweight Champion Tokyo, Japan December 1953." A very unusual award from one champion to another, this handsome award is in fine condition with only minor wear and very minor scratches. Any award of Marciano's is a highly desirable item. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Rocky Marciano-Archie Moore Rare 1955 On Site Poster On September 21, 1955 World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano fought his final contest as a professional, successfully defending his title against Archie Moore in New York at Yankee Stadium. Marciano was knocked down early in the fight, but rallied to stop Moore in the 9th. This concluded his career as the only man to retire undefeated as heavyweight champion, with a final record of 49-0. Presented here is a very rare official on site poster for this event. This wonderfully illustrated poster measures 22" x 28". The poster has some edge and surface wear and has been creased, the wear you might expect from a stadium poster. It has fine color and a wonderful likeness of the fighters. Professionally framed. Marciano on site posters are rarely ever seen.
Rocky Marciano Signed Letter (Ali Content) An important one page letter boldly signed in ink by Rocky Marciano in which he discusses the upcoming Ali-Terrell fight. Rocky discusses Ali being "steamed" at Terrell for refusing to call him by his Muslim name. Marciano saw a tough fight for Ali, but it did not prove to be the case. On Marciano illustrated stationary. One of the better Marciano letters to surface. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Rocky Marciano 1956 Civil Air Patrol Award. Rocky Marciano is the only Heavyweight Champion to retire with a perfect record (49-0). Outside of the ring, Marciano had several passions he enjoyed. One of these passions for many years was flying. This one would have tragic consequences however, when a small plane Rocky was traveling in crashed near Newton, Iowa on August 31, 1969, killing him and the pilot. Presented here is A Certificate Of Accomplishment which was given to Rocky Marciano in 1956 by the Civil Air Patrol. The award measures 10" x 12" and has some light soiling and a center crease, but displays very well. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Rocky Marciano Signed Book Contract Rocky Marciano, the only man to retire undefeated as Heavyweight Champion, has boldly signed this book contract with Prentice Hall, along with Al Bachman and his trainer Charley Goldman, for the book, "Rocky Marciano's Boy's Book of Boxing and Body Building", published in 1960. The contract is 7 pages, legal size and in fine condition with bold ink signatures of all three. Marciano is a difficult signature, especially on contracts or documents which can be verified. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Rocky Marciano 1950 Fight Worn Trunks From Ted Lowry Bout On November 13, 1950 Rocky Marciano fought "Tiger" Ted Lowry in Providence, Rhode Island. Marciano had won a 10 round decision over Lowry in 1949. In this, the rematch, the result was the same with Marciano simply outfighting the tough Lowry. This was Rocky's 29th consecutive victory and he was now well on his way to a match for the title, an opportunity that would come less than two years later. Presented here are the actual fight trunks worn by Marciano in this second fight with Lowry. Black satin with white trim and sporting the BENLEE manufacturer's label at the center waistband. BENLEE was the manufacturer most usually associated with Marciano. The trunks have some minor soiling and some light fading from age, but are generally in fine condition. Professionally framed with a plaque identifying them from this fight. Sold with a LOA from the brother of Rocky Marciano attesting they are from this fight. An extremely rare offering of a great champion. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Rocky Marciano Boxing Shoes Actual boxing shoes worn by the great Rocky Marciano. Black leather and well worn these shoes show the hours of training and fighting put in by one of boxings most tireless workers. The right shoe has the original laces, the laces are missing on the left. The right shoe has small holes by the ankles. Both shoes show heavy wear on the soles and scuffing from use. These incredible shoes came from the family of Rocky Marciano and are accompanied by a LOA from his brother Peter Marciano. Documented equipment of this great champion is extremely rare and to our knowledge no shoes have been offered previously. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Ali-Marciano 1969 Original Movie Lobby Poster An original lobby poster for the fantasy fight between Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. This poster was printed in 1969 and shown in theaters on January 20, 1970. It features beautiful color shots of both fighters. Some slight staining and minor edge and surface wear. 11" x 14". Professionally framed. Offered with a videotape of the fictional event.
Archie Moore Award Archie Moore fought for an incredible 27 years, winning 194 bouts. In 141 of these victories he won by knockout, recording more KOs than any other fighter in history. He obtained the title of light heavyweight champion at the age of 39 and during his long career fought both Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. Offered here is an award that shows the wonderful humanitarian side of Moore. The Award reads, "Presented To Archie Moore Light - Heavyweight Boxing Champion Of The World Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Los Angeles California October 18, 1959 H. B. Charles, D.D. Minister". Presented to Moore while he was still champion, in fine condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Emile Griffith Fight Worn Gloves From 1962 Benny "Kid" Paret Bout Welterweight greats Benny "Kid" Paret and Emile Griffith met for the third and final time in the ring, at Madison Square Garden in New York, on March 24, 1962. The stage was set for more than just a prizefight. There was bitterness between these two old foes. Paret, a gifted fighter from Cuba, had risen quickly through the ranks of welterweights, winning the title from Don Jordan in 1960. After one successful defense he fought Griffith for the first time in Miami Beach on April 1, 1961, losing his title when Griffith stopped him in the unlucky 13th round. The two fought a rematch in New York later that year, on September 30th, and Paret regained the title winning a close 15 round decision. Paret made what some observers thought was a terrible career decision by moving up in weight to challenge Gene Fullmer for the Middleweight Title on December 9, 1961. Paret was completely outclassed by the stronger Fullmer and was severely beaten up en route to being stopped in the 10th round. Many thought the lasting effects of that fight were carried into the ring on the night of March 24, 1962 when he put the Welterweight Title on the line in a rematch with Griffith. It was not just a fight however, it was a grudge match. Griffith was upset at Paret for comments that had surfaced in which Paret ridiculed Griffith's manliness. With anger and revenge on his mind, Griffith was dominating the fight and was well on his way to victory when fate took an ill turn in the 12th round. Paret was hit hard and staggered into the ropes, his arm falling over the rope to prop him up. Instead of falling he was erect and took a series of blows from Griffith while defenseless on the ropes. The referee, Ruby Goldstein, was late in separating the fighters and stopping the fight. Paret, knocked unconscious, slipped into a coma and was rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, he would lose this fight as well. Several days after the fight Paret tragically died from the blows he had received. Griffith was not to blame for the misfortune. He had fought as he had been trained, until the referee breaks or halts the action. Goldstein came under scrutiny. Had he not delayed in stopping the fight the impending tragedy might well have been avoided. The fight remains to this day one of the most controversial in the history of the ring. Presented here are the actual fight gloves used by Emile Griffith in his fight with Benny "Kid" Paret on March 24, 1962. The gloves are brown leather and have the Everlast manufacturer's label on each wrist. Both gloves are initialed by a member of the New York State Athletic Commission who was responsible for approving the gloves. The original laces are intact and the gloves are in excellent condition with no tears. These gloves were originally donated to The Ring Magazine and were displayed at their offices in New York. Each glove has paint on the surface which was done by Ring Magazine and which states, "Emile Griffith TKO 12 Benny Paret For World's Welterweight Championship March 24, 1962 Madison Square Garden New York City." The gloves are accompanied by a LOA from a former employee of The Ring (Magazine) who observed the gloves on display at the Ring offices in New York. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Sonny Liston's Personal Cane Charles (Sonny) Liston was born May 8, 1932 in St. Francis County, Arkansas. On September 25, 1962 he won the World Heavyweight Title from Floyd Patterson. He later lost that title on February 25, 1964 to Cassius Clay in a major upset that was followed by another, very controversial, loss in a rematch with Clay on May 25, 1965. Liston's final fight was in 1970, a 10th round knockout victory over Chuck Wepner. His final record was 50-3-1. Liston's death occurred under mysterious circumstances that many observers believed was a mob hit. Liston's memorabilia has been one of the most desirable in the boxing collecting hobby. Presented here is a personal cane which belonged to Sonny Liston. The cane is 34 inches long and has an ornate brass head with the inscription, "Given To Sonny Liston By Wm. Elmer 1963." The cane is in good condition with only minor wear. Comes with an LOA from Geraldine Liston, the widow of the late champion. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Sonny Liston's Personal Watch Here is another wonderful personal collectible of Sonny Liston which comes directly from his widow, Geraldine Liston. This is a pocket watch owned and used by the great champion. Made by Geneva this brass plated pocket watch has the original chain and features an ornate design of a steam locomotive on the front. In good working condition with only minor wear. An extremely rare offering which comes with an LOA from Geraldine Liston with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Cassius Clay Signed & Worn Training Gloves A pair of POST manufactured bag gloves used by Cassius Clay in the Columbia Street Gym in Louisville as an amateur. Clay gave these gloves to a friend in Louisville named William "Davey" Quinley to settle a debt for twenty five dollars. Clay could not immediately settle the debt so he went into the gym and gave Quinley the gloves which he also signed. He told Quinley the gloves would be worth a lot more than twenty five dollars after he had won the Olympics. Clay went on to win the crown in the light heavyweight division and was so proud of his gold medal that he didn't take it off for two days. After the Olympics Cassius sought out his old friend and not only repaid the loan but let him keep the gloves as well. These black leather gloves show the heavy use Clay would give them on the speed bag daily. Still, perfectly intact with only minor soiling, each glove is marked C.C. on the Post label in old ink. Clay's name appears inside of the wrist of the right glove where he's signed, "From Cassius M. Clay," in ink. Actual worn and used equipment of Cassius Clay is extremely difficult to find and such equipment signed by him is practically unique. Accompanying this item is a LOA from the son of William Quinley. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cassius Clay Autographed & Worn 1958 Handwrap Offered in this lot is the amateur handwrap of Cassius Clay, used by him in the Columbia Street Gym of Louisville while training in 1958. This is an elastic handwrap which is approximately 80 inches long and 2 inches wide. The wrap has a manufacturer's label from POST. Adjacent to the label Clay has been boldly signed in ink, "Your Friend always Cassius Clay 19-58." Clay originally presented the handwrap to a childhood friend, Larry Duncan. Mr. Duncan knew the Clay family and actually fought Cassius Clay's brother Rudy in the amateurs. Mr. Duncan was also instrumental in putting Clay on a local Louisville radio program. Mr. Duncan sold the handwrap to noted Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali collector Pete Morkovin who has supplied a LOA. Here's a rare opportunity to obtain an early piece of boxing equipment, used by Cassius Clay, which he has autographed with one of his earliest documented signatures. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cassius Clay 1960 Rome Olympic Boxing Finals Ticket A beautiful stubless ticket to the boxing finals of the 1960 Rome Olympics which featured a young Cassius Clay of Louisville, Kentucky winning the gold medal in the Light Heavyweight Division. Large, stubless ticket marked "Finale" in bold ink, lightly creased with a clean front and back. A rare example from the actual boxing finals.
Cassius Clay 1960 Rome Olympic Official Program In the summer of 1960, young Cassius Clay of Louisville, Kentucky emerged as one of the stars of the Olympic Games in Rome, winning a gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing division. Presented here is a scarce program to the boxing matches held between August 25th and September 3rd, 1960. A 40 page program which includes the very rare center pullout, almost never found in this program. The program is clean inside and out and has not been creased. The binding is good and tight with some wear and the pages have not been scored. An exceptional example.
Olympic Collectibles
Cassius Clay, Wilma Rudolph & Al Oerter Signed 1960 Olympic Program In the summer of 1960 the world held the 17th Olympic Games in Rome. There were a number of stars in this Olympics, but none greater than the trio that has signed this original 1960 Summer Olympic Games Program. Cassius Clay of Louisville, Kentucky emerged as one of the most exciting performers in the boxing division en route to winning a gold medal in the light heavyweight division. He has signed the front of this program boldly in ink, "Cassius Clay 19-60." Wilma Rudolph is one of the greatest track and field stars in the history of the sport. In the 1960 Rome Olympics she became the first American woman to win three gold medals in the sport, winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes and anchoring the winning 400 meter dash relay team. She has also signed this program in bold ink. Al Oerter may have been the greatest Olympian of all time. He is one of only two men to win gold medals in four consecutive Olympics including 1960. Oerter's speciality was the discus and he won those gold medals often defeating the current world record holder in the process. He has signed the cover of the program in bold ink. The program is in fine condition. No creases, with a tight binding and clean inside and out. This signed program is one of the best signed Olympic pieces to surface in recent years. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Boxing Collectibles
Harold Johnson-Jesse Bowdry (Cassius Clay Undercard) On Site Poster A 14" x 22" heavy stock, on site poster, advertising the fight between Harold Johnson and Jesse Bowdry from Miami Beach on February 7, 1961. Cassius Clay fought on the undercard and defeated Jim Robinson. Although Clay is not pictured, this poster is still a great collectable from his early career. The poster is in excellent condition with some foxing and toning around the border. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Cassius Clay Autographed Glove A brash young fighter by the name of Cassius Clay "shook up the world" when he defeated Sonny Liston for the heavyweight championship of the world. Shortly after he won the title he once again "shook" the boxing world by changing his name to Muhammad Ali. Offered here is a very rare single signed glove signed, "From Cassius Clay 19-63." Gloves signed by this ring great prior to his name change in 1964 are increasingly difficult to find. The signature is a little light, but still perfectly readable. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Clay-Liston I 1964 Official Ticket Without Stub A beautifully illustrated, stubless, on site ticket from the Miami Beach Convention Center for the historic Clay-Liston I fight of February 25, 1964 in which Cassius Clay upset the world and won the World Heavyweight Title. Good color and crisp images adorn this exceptionally clean ticket. A wonderful souvenir from Clay's first championship. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
1964 Clay-Liston I Official Program Cassius Clay fought Sonny Liston on February 26, 1964 in Miami Beach. Clay won by TKO in the 7th round, when Liston refused to come out of his corner, to win the World Heavyweight Championship. This is considered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history, although Clay (later Muhammad Ali) soon established himself as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the ring. Presented here is an official program from this bout. This official program measures 9" x 12" and is 16 pages long. The program is clean inside and out, with no creases, rips or tears and has not been scored. Offered here is one of the better examples of this rare program to have surfaced. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Muhammad Ali - Cassius Clay Signed Glove A mint condition, red leather regulation size EVERLAST boxing glove signed twice by Ali, once with his full name, "Muhammad Ali" and the other with his given name, "Cassius Clay". This combination is seldom seen. Bold signatures in black sharpie. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1965 Ali-Liston II Full Unused Ticket On May 25, 1965 World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali defended his title for the first time against Sonny Liston, the man he had won it from just a year before, in one of the greatest upsets in boxing history. This fight was originally slated for Boston, but moved to the unlikely setting of Lewiston, Maine after Ali's name change controversy. The fight ended in the first round when Ali landed what ringside observers coined as a "phantom punch" and Liston sank to the canvas. As Ali danced around taunting Liston, a confused Jersey Joe Walcott, who was referee, lost track of the count. When he crossed over to the timekeeper to pick up the count, sportswriter Nat Fleischer screamed at him that the fight was over. Walcott waved his arms and declared a knockout. Many people insisted Liston, long known to have mob ties, threw the fight. Ali insisted that the punch that ended the fight was legit. Liston later claimed he was waiting for Walcott to restart the count. No one knows to this day if Liston could have regained his feet and the controversy lives on to this day. Presented here is an official full ticket to this bout with illustrated shots of both fighters. The ticket is great condition with the stub still firmly attached. Both sides of the ticket are clean and display very well with only minor surface wear. A scarce Ali ticket, especially in this condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Ali-Quarry I Official On Site Poster On October 26, 1970 Muhammad Ali made his reappearance in the ring after a forced retirement of three years, which stemmed from his refusal to accept induction into the armed forces. Despite the three year layoff Ali contracted to fight a very difficult fighter, "Irish" Jerry Quarry in his first fight back. Quarry was a seasoned veteran with a deadly punch and many observers thought Ali foolish for taking him on at the outset of his comeback. Those throwing cautionary signals were certainly surprised when Ali dominated the action and stopped Quarry in only three rounds in Atlanta. Presented here is a very rare official on site poster for this event. A heavy stock 14" x 22" poster which pictures both fighters. On the back is reference to Ali leaving tickets for Richard and Elizabeth (Taylor) Burton. This poster is the only known example from the venue for the fight in Atlanta. There's some edge and surface wear, as is to be expected with an on site poster. Wonderful colors. Incredibly rare and certainly an important poster from the career of Muhammad Ali.
1971 Ali-Frazier I Official Program Signed by Joe Frazier On March 8, 1971, Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali fought for the first time at Madison Square Garden in New York. Both were undefeated. Both were considered champions, Ali because he had never lost his title in the ring and Frazier because he had beaten just about everyone else, establishing himself as champion during Ali's absence from the ring. An epic battle ensued in which Joe Frazier emerged victorious, winning a 15 round decision and flooring Ali in the process. It was probably Joe Frazier's finest hour. Presented here is the scarce official program to this well remembered event that has been signed on the interior by Joe Frazier. This 52 page official program measures 8.5" x 11" and features pictures of both fighters on the cover in a LeRoy Neiman rendition. The interior has photos and stories of both fighters and is unscored. There are no rips, tears, writing or creases. Very minor corner and surface wear, clean inside and out, a fine example. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1971 Ali-Frazier I On Site Poster The title of the poster says it all. Simply entitled, "THE FIGHT," this official on site poster is from the memorable Ali-Frazier I clash which took place in Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971. The fight lived up to all the hype with Joe Frazier winning going away and knocking Ali down in the last round. The poster measures 22" x 28" and is illustrated on cardboard type material. The Murray Poster Print logo in lower right corner which is indicative of an actual on site poster to this event. Good color with little fading. Does have some surface, edge and corner wear with light soiling. Has some minor creasing which is hardly evident. A rare on site poster from one of boxings most memorable events.
Ali-Frazier I 1971 Souvenir Gloves A pair of gold EVERLAST regulation size souvenir gloves which were given to special guests attending the Ali-Frazier I fight on March 8, 1971 at Madison Square Garden. Bold color with the original laces. The gloves have several pin holes and some very light soiling. An increasingly scarce collectible from one of the greatest prize fights of all time.
Muhammad Ali & "Smoking" Joe Frazier Signed Glove Bold black sharpie signatures of these two ring greats on a regulation size, mint condition red leather boxing glove made by Everlast. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Muhammad Ali Fight Worn Trunks From 1974 Joe Frazier II Bout On January 28, 1974 at New York's Madison Square Garden Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought for the second time in their careers. The two had fought at the same venue in 1971 with the heavyweight title at stake. In that spectacular fight Joe Frazier knocked Ali down in the final round, winning a unanimous decision and handing Ali's his first defeat as a professional. Since that first fight Frazier had lost his title to powerful George Foreman. This rematch with Ali was to determine who would be Foreman's next opponent. The fight lacked the drama of the first meeting, but not the action. When it was over Ali emerged with a hard fought unanimous twelve round decision, although a number of observers at ringside thought Frazier had won. Presented here are the fight worn trunks of Muhammad Ali from this historic bout. The trunks are white satin with black trim and include a manufacturer's label for EVERLAST which reads, "Made Expressly For Muhammad Ali." Following the fight these trunks were presented to George Killian, a nearby resident of Deer Lake where Ali maintained his training camp for this fight. Mr. Killian was a long time friend of Ali who had visited there on numerous occasions while the camp was active. Mr. Killian presented the trunks to long time Ali collector Pete Morkovin, who has supplied a detailed explanation as to how he acquired the item. The trunks show moderate wear, but are perfectly intact and are in overall very good condition. Here's a rare offering from the second bout in Ali's most famous fight trilogy. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
1974 Frazier-Ali II Full Ticket On January 28, 1974, at New York's Madison Square Garden Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought for the second time in their careers. The two had fought at the same venue in 1971 with the heavyweight title at stake. In that spectacular fight Joe Frazier knocked Ali down in the final round and won a unanimous decision. It was Ali's first defeat as a professional. Since that first fight Frazier had lost his title to powerful George Foreman. This rematch with Ali was to determine who would be Foreman's next opponent. At stake was Ali's NABF Title, so the fight was set for twelve rounds. The fight lacked the drama of the first meeting, but not the action. When it was over, Ali emerged with a hard fought unanimous twelve round decision, although a number of observers at ringside thought Frazier had won. Offered here is a full ticket from this fight. The ticket is in fine condition and displays well.
Ali-Frazier II 1974 Souvenir Gloves Beautiful gold souvenir gloves given away to special ringside guests at the Ali-Frazier II fight at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 1974. These regulation sized gloves are in beautiful condition with bold color and print. Nearly flawless.
Ali-Frazier III 1975 Official Ticket Autographed By Ali Here's a large official on site ticket to the notable Ali-Frazier III fight of October 1, 1975. Ali successfully defended his heavyweight title in one of the all-time classic fights in boxing history. Ali and Frazier had met twice before and both fighters had recorded a victory. This set the stage for the third fight in this legendary boxing trilogy, accurately dubbed the Thrilla In Manila. This grueling ring battle lasted 14 rounds and took both fighters to the edge of their physical abilities. When the dust settled, Ali emerged victorious, forging yet another link in his incredible ring legacy. This stubless ticket names and pictures both fighters and has been boldly signed across the face by Muhammad Ali. This scarce ticket is creased, but displays strong colors and shows very well. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1975 Ali-Frazier III Official Program On October 1, 1975, World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali and former champion Joe Frazier fought for the third and final time, in the Philippines, in a fight that will forever be remembered as the "Thrilla In Manila." Both champions had each earned a victory in their first two fights. This third fight of that historic trilogy proved to be perhaps their greatest battle, with Ali finally prevailing by stopping Frazier in the 14th round. Presented here is a rare official program to that event. The program has a good tight binding, 38 pages long, unscored, with no center crease and some minor cover wear. Obtained directly from a person in the Philippines who attended the fight. This program is unusual in that it was stamped "Event Souvenir Program" on the cover and also has other stamps. Our source advises this was unique to actual programs sold in the stadium. Extremely scarce Ali program.
Joe Frazier 1975 Fight Worn Gloves From The "Thrilla In Manila" On October 1, 1975, World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali defended his title against Joe Frazier in Quezon City, Philippines, in the fight hereafter referred to as the "Thrilla In Manila." For Ali and Frazier this was their third and final meeting. Frazier had won the first in 1971 and Ali the second in 1974. After Ali's victory over reigning champion George Foreman in 1974 in Africa, the stage was set for the final act in a trilogy of fights which are among the most famous in boxing lore. The fight in Manila, a Don King promotion, was as hyped as any of their previous meetings. Ali insulted Frazier repeatedly calling him stupid and comparing him to a gorilla in news conferences. Despite all of Ali's boasts, he had struggled with Frazier in their previous meetings. Frazier's relentless pressure and hard punching power had always managed to take a toll on Ali. This fight would not prove to be any different and in every way it lived up to the hype. The early rounds were Ali's, but by the fifth Frazier's pressure started taking its toll and in the seventh Frazier drove the mouthpiece from Ali's mouth. Frazier kept the pressure on Ali, but it was not without a toll of its own. By the thirteenth Frazier could barely see from one eye and Ali started taking control with vicious shots to Frazier's head. After the fourteenth, Frazier trainer Eddie Futch had seen enough and stopped the fight. Ali was heard to say that those fourteen round of fighting were as close to death as he'd ever been. Presented for sale here are the weapons behind that destruction, the actual fight-worn gloves used by Joe Frazier in this fight. Red leather boxing gloves which feature the Everlast label at each wrist. These gloves show the signs of battle, but are still perfectly intact. The gloves were taken after the fight by Joe Frazier's cutman Milt Bailey. Milt Bailey gave these gloves to long-time Philadelphia boxing promoter and Boxing Hall Of Fame member, Russell Peltz. The gloves are offered with a photograph of Joe Frazier wearing them in the ring against Muhammad Ali. One of the most significant offerings of this great champion in recent history and the first time these historic gloves have been offered at public sale. They also come with LOAs from Milt Bailey and from Russell Peltz. Perfectly documented.
Muhammad Ali Ring Bell From Deer Lake Training Facility. Muhammad Ali maintained a training camp at Deer Lake, Pennsylvania for most of his career in the 1970's. Visitors often flocked to the camp to watch his public workouts. After Ali retired the camp closed and he gave away many mementos from the facility. One was the Bevin boxing bell used to start and end training activity. Offered here is a 12-inch high brass bell, with the original striker cord, that's in perfect working order. Ali presented this bell to the Sheriff of Deer Lake, Jim Taylor (who also worked security for the camp). In the LOA from Taylor he comments that Ali told him, "This bell called me more times than anyone." Also included is a LOA from Ali collector Pete Morkovin who purchased the bell from Sheriff Taylor. Here's a great opportunity to acquire a unique piece of boxing history from Ali's training camp. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Muhammad Ali Training Cup A black leather athletic cup which was used by Muhammad Ali in training sessions. Made by Everlast and bears their manufacturer's label. Inside the cup is printed in vintage ink "ALI." Shows terrific wear, but still perfectly intact. Comes with an LOA from longtime Ali collector Pete Morkovin and photographs which show Ali wearing a similar protector in training sessions. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Muhammad Ali & George Foreman Autographed Gloves Offered here are two mint condition, regulation sized, red Everlast boxing gloves which have been signed by former champions George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. These two great champions will forever be remembered for their classic fight in Zaire. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1974 Ali-Foreman Official Zaire Program In one of the most important fights of the past thirty years, Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman with a knockout in the 8th round to win the Heavyweight Title for the second time in his career. Ali employed the famous "rope-a-dope" strategy to defeat Foreman, who many thought was unstoppable, in a major upset in Kinshasa, Zaire on October 30, 1974. Presented here is the official program from the fight, which was originally the property of a manager for one of the undercard fighters. The program has 12 pages. There is a light center crease and it has been neatly scored in pencil. Offered here is a very clean copy, inside and out, of one of the most desirable Muhammad Ali programs.
Ali-Foreman Rare 1974 Poster Muhammad Ali won his second world heavyweight title defeating George Foreman in Zaire, Kenya in 1974. It was a huge upset and Foreman's first defeat as a professional. Presented here is one of the rarer posters that advertised this fight. The caption "The Peoples Champ" appears under Ali's picture and "World Heavyweight Champ" appears under Foreman's photo. "ALI FOR CHAMP," is boldly printed across the top. Ali had won the hearts of the people and was clearly the favorite, leading Zairians in a chant of "Ali, boma ye!" ("Ali, kill him!"). Some pennants similar to this have surfaced, but this is the first poster to our knowledge offered in public sale. So rare is this poster that it was not even offered in the famous Paloger Ali Sale in 1997. This one sheet (approximately 26 x 40) has been linen backed and is in fine condition. There's no evident wear and only the slightest evidence of fading. One of the rarest and best looking Ali posters to be offered.
Ali-Foreman 1974 Oversized Poster This is an oversized (39" x 46") closed circuit poster advertising the Ali-Foreman fight that took place in Zaire, Africa in 1974. The two fighters are presented against the African continent. The poster has some surface wear and minor soiling. The poster has been professionally linen backed for preservation. It's getting harder to find posters from this fight, particularly in this large and attractive format.
Muhammad Ali Autographed Training Glove (Foreman Fight) This is a 16 ounce sparring glove, made by Seyer, which was used by Muhammad Ali during training for his fight with George Foreman in 1974. Muhammad Ali gave this glove to a visitor at his training facility in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. Ali signed the glove boldly in ink, "Muhammad Ali The Title Will be Mine! The Mummy Will Fall 19-74." Ali drew a stick figure cheering next to the inscription. The "Mummy" is a reference to George Foreman whom Ali called by that nickname. The glove is also signed by Ali's father Cassius M. Clay Sr. and by his famous cornerman Drew "Bundini" Brown. The collector wrote on the thumb of the glove, "Given to me by Ali Deer Lake, PA 1974 used in training." Come with an LOA from noted Ali collector, Pete Morkovin. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Muhammad Ali 1976 Fight Worn Robe From Jimmy Young Bout On April 30, 1976 World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali successfully defended his title winning a close decision over challenger Jimmy Young in Landover, Maryland. It was a lackluster affair from the outset and although Ali won the fight he was criticized for a poor effort and lack of conditioning. Despite his effort, Ali did come dressed for the occasion. He entered the ring sporting one of the prettiest boxing robes he ever wore for a fight, a robe designed to commemorate our nation's 200th anniversary. Heritage is proud to offer that robe here. The robe is a full calf length satin with red and blue trim. On the reverse in red lettering appear the words "MUHAMMAD ALI." The sash is present and made of white satin. On the front left breast in red lettering is the word "ALI," and under it in blue lettering is the number 76. This number was added to honor our nation's Bicentennial. On the right front breast is the manufacturer's tag of EVERLAST which includes the logo, "Made Expressly For Muhammad Ali." The robe is in wonderful condition showing only slight effects from aging. This robe was originally part of the collection of Ali assistant trainer and cornerman, Drew "Bundini" Brown. Brown kept this robe in a storage locker and after his death this robe was sold at auction by the storage facility. The original tag from that sale is still attached to the robe (NO. RK8839). This robe will be sold to the winning bidder with an inventory from that sale which has a corresponding number from the tag, a photograph of Ali wearing the robe, and an LOA from Craig Hamilton of JO Sports, Inc. who researched the robe for this sale.
1972 Ali-Chuvalo II Official Program On May 1, 1972, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali fought George Chuvalo at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada. Ali had defeated Chuvalo in the first meeting six years earlier and once again proved he was the better fighter, winning an easy 10 round decision. Presented here is a rare official program to the event. This program has 6 pages with tight binding and has not been scored. It has two creases and some cover wear.
1975 Ali-Bugner II Official Program On July 1, 1975, Muhammad Ali successfully defended his World Heavyweight Title against Joe Bugner in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was their second meeting and Ali prevailed as he had in their first fight, this time by a 15 round decision. Presented here is a rare official program from this event. It contains 64 pages that are unscored and clean, with profiles and photos of the fighters. The cover is in great condition with only minor surface and edge wear. A fine example. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
1976 Ali-Dunn Official Program On May 24, 1976, World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali defended his title against Richard Dunn in Munich, Germany. Ali scored a 5th round TKO in a lopsided affair. Presented here is the scarce official program to this event. The program contains 16 pages that have not been scored or creased and are in near mint condition. Clean inside and out. A fine example of a very scarce program.
Ali - Berbick "Drama in Bahama" Official Program A sad and final chapter to a colorful boxing career occurred when Muhammad Ali, a shell of his former self, stepped into the ring for his final fight against Trevor Berbick. A 39-year-old Ali, with his slowed reflexes and timing, still put up an amazing fight. Offered here is the official fight program and stub less ticket from this fight. The 20-page program is in fine condition with minor foxing to the cover. The ticket has been stapled to the cover with the stub neatly removed. Both items display very well.
Muhammad Ali 1976 Fight Worn Gloves From Ken Norton III Bout On September 28, 1976 World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali defended his title against an old foe, tough Ken Norton, at Yankee Stadium in New York. Ali and Norton had fought twice previously, with each man winning once. In their first meeting in 1973 Ali not only lost to Norton in a significant upset, he also had his jaw broken in the process. In the second meeting, later that year, Ali avenged the loss in a very close fight. After Ali regained the title from George Foreman in 1974, he proceeded to eliminate challenger after challenger until by 1976 there was only one man still looming large on the stage he had not defended the title against, Ken Norton. The fight was close throughout. Norton, the stronger of the two men pressured Ali continuously and when the close decision was awarded to Ali, many observers thought Norton had been robbed. This great fight, perhaps fittingly, was the last heavyweight championship fought at Yankee Stadium. Presented here are the actual fight worn gloves used by Muhammad Ali in this third fight with Ken Norton. The gloves are red leather professional model gloves manufactured by Everlast and sporting the Everlast label on each wrist. The Everlast Model No. 21086 is still evident on each glove. Both gloves have remnants of the original laces and there is evidence of tape which was used to cover the laces. On the heel of each glove appears the signature, "Muhammad Ali," in black sharpie. Inside the left and right gloves is written in black the letters, KO8, which was Ali's prediction on the fight outcome. Inside both gloves is written, "Ali MA#1 Ali-Norton Yankee Stadium." There are also the initials of a commission official present inside each glove. The gloves show modest staining and wear with no rips or tears. The gloves were originally part of the collection of Ali assistant trainer and cornerman, Drew "Bundini" Brown. Brown kept these in a storage locker and after his death these gloves were sold at auction by the storage facility. The original tag from that sale in the late 1980's is still present (No. RK8871). These gloves will be sold to the winning bidder with an inventory from that sale which has the corresponding number from the tag and a photograph of Ali wearing the gloves in the fight. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cassius Clay-Muhammad Ali Signed Photo Lot (4) Four 16" x 20" photographs of Muhammad Ali/Cassius Clay which he has boldly signed. Shots include: 1) Clay & The Beatles (signed Cassius Clay in black sharpie), Ali standing over Liston (signed in gold pen), Ali facing off with Frazier (signed in black sharpie), and Ali & Frazier at Joe's training camp (signed by both Ali & "Smokin" Joe Frazier in black sharpie). These photos are all in mint condition. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ali In Tuxedo In 1992, noted photographer Neil Liefer and noted author Thomas Houser collaborated on a book about Muhammad Ali entitled "Memories." Hauser supplied the text and Liefer the photographs for this fine work. Presented here is an original photograph of Muhammad Ali by Neil Liefer, each of which has been signed by Liefer and comes with a letter of authenticity from him. Muhammad Ali has also signed each photograph. The signatures were obtained by Thomas Hauser and come with a letter of authenticity from him as well. Both the Ali and Liefer signatures are in ink along the white border. These original photographs routinely sell for thousands of dollars unsigned by Ali and Heritage is proud to present these beautiful examples all signed by "The Greatest."

Magnificent 1974 image of Ali in formal attire. The photo measures 20" x 24" and is # 82 in a limited edition of 350. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ali-Liston II In 1992, noted photographer Neil Liefer and noted author Thomas Houser collaborated on a book about Muhammad Ali entitled "Memories." Hauser supplied the text and Liefer the photographs for this fine work. Presented here is an original photograph of Muhammad Ali by Neil Liefer, each of which has been signed by Liefer and comes with a letter of authenticity from him. Muhammad Ali has also signed each photograph. The signatures were obtained by Thomas Hauser and come with a letter of authenticity from him as well. Both the Ali and Liefer signatures are in ink along the white border. These original photographs routinely sell for thousands of dollars unsigned by Ali and Heritage is proud to present these beautiful examples all signed by "The Greatest."

Beautiful color panoramic photograph depicting the crowd and the action in the ring. The photo measures 20" x 24" and is # 84 in a limited edition of 850. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ali-Liston II In 1992, noted photographer Neil Liefer and noted author Thomas Houser collaborated on a book about Muhammad Ali entitled "Memories." Hauser supplied the text and Liefer the photographs for this fine work. Presented here is an original photograph of Muhammad Ali by Neil Liefer, each of which has been signed by Liefer and comes with a letter of authenticity from him. Muhammad Ali has also signed each photograph. The signatures were obtained by Thomas Hauser and come with a letter of authenticity from him as well. Both the Ali and Liefer signatures are in ink along the white border. These original photographs routinely sell for thousands of dollars unsigned by Ali and Heritage is proud to present these beautiful examples all signed by "The Greatest."

Arguably the most famous photograph in boxing history depicting a snarling Ali standing over Liston in their second fight in Lewiston, Maine. The photo measures 20" x 24" and is # 86 in a limited edition of 350. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ali-Frazier III In 1992, noted photographer Neil Liefer and noted author Thomas Houser collaborated on a book about Muhammad Ali entitled "Memories." Hauser supplied the text and Liefer the photographs for this fine work. Presented here is an original photograph of Muhammad Ali by Neil Liefer, each of which has been signed by Liefer and comes with a letter of authenticity from him. Muhammad Ali has also signed each photograph. The signatures were obtained by Thomas Hauser and come with a letter of authenticity from him as well. Both the Ali and Liefer signatures are in ink along the white border. These original photographs routinely sell for thousands of dollars unsigned by Ali and Heritage is proud to present these beautiful examples all signed by "The Greatest."

A beautiful color action photograph from the war between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali entitled "The Thrilla In Manila. The photo measures 20" x 24" and is # 88 in a limited edition of 350. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ali-Williams In 1992, noted photographer Neil Liefer and noted author Thomas Houser collaborated on a book about Muhammad Ali entitled "Memories." Hauser supplied the text and Liefer the photographs for this fine work. Presented here is an original photograph of Muhammad Ali by Neil Liefer, each of which has been signed by Liefer and comes with a letter of authenticity from him. Muhammad Ali has also signed each photograph. The signatures were obtained by Thomas Hauser and come with a letter of authenticity from him as well. Both the Ali and Liefer signatures are in ink along the white border. These original photographs routinely sell for thousands of dollars unsigned by Ali and Heritage is proud to present these beautiful examples all signed by "The Greatest."

Award winning photograph taken from an overhead camera depicting a fallen Cleveland Williams stretched out on the canvas as Ali walks to his corner. The photo measures 20" x 24" and is # 89 in a limited edition of 350. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Muhammad Ali Handwraps From Leon Spinks II Fight Muhammad Ali has boldly signed an Everlast ace bandage hand wrap, "To Leslie Muhammad Ali June 6-79 From Spinks II." The wraps show some use, but were likely used in training and not in the fight itself. This observation is based on fact that they were not part of a conventional hand wrap, which would have been used in the fight. Nice condition with no noticeable flaws and a beautiful, vintage Muhammad Ali signature. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1978 Muhammad Ali Worn and Signed Headgear A black leather headgear used in training by Muhammad Ali in preparation for his rematch with Leon Spinks in September, 1978. Ali won this rematch and became the first man to become three time undisputed heavyweight champion. Ali presented this headgear to noted Ali memorabilia collector Pete Morkovin at the Ali training camp in Deer Lake, Pennsylvania. Ali signed the inside of the headgear, "-From Muhammad Ali 3 Time Champion." Signed in ink. Ali's handlers wrote the name ALI on the white manufacturer's label on the front of the headgear. Made by Everlast this black leather headgear shows significant wear, but is perfectly intact and includes the original chinstrap. LOA's from collector Pete Morkovin. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
"Bundini" Brown Cornerman Jacket From 1978 Ali-Spinks II Fight The cornerman jacket was worn by longtime Ali assistant trainer Drew "Bundini" Brown into the ring for Ali's historic fight with Leon Spinks on September 15, 1978, the fight where Ali won his third world title. This cornerman jacket is white satin with black trim and matches the robe that Ali sported for this bout. On the reverse in black lettering are the words, MUHAMMAD ALI. This jacket has white terrycloth lining. On the front left breast in black lettering is the word, BUNDINI. Under the left breast in black sharpie the jacket has been signed by Muhammad Ali. The jacket was made by Everlast and has their label on the front right breast. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Muhammad Ali 1978 Fight-Worn Championship Robe From Leon Spinks II Bout On September 15, 1978 former World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali attempted to do what no man in the history of heavyweight boxing had done, win the heavyweight title for an unprecedented third time. The trail to the title actually began on February 15, 1978 in Las Vegas. Ali, out of shape and aging, had accepted a title defense against 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist (light heavyweight), Leon Spinks. On paper it looked like a mismatch. Spinks had only seven professional fights going into this fight with Ali. That inexperience, at least as a professional, was thought by most observers to be the most telling factor against Spinks. It did not prove to be. Spinks, in great physical condition, and not in any way in awe of Ali, pounded out a close but decisive victory with a 15 round decision. Ali appealed for a rematch which he was given. This time the fight was different. Ali, focused and in better physical condition, won a relatively easy 15 round decision and made history, becoming the first man to win the undisputed heavyweight title on three occasions. Presented here is the fight-worn robe worn by Muhammad Ali into the ring for this historic fight with Leon Spinks. This is a full length white satin robe with black trim. On the reverse in black lettering are the words "MUHAMMAD ALI." The robe has a terrycloth interior. There are slit openings at each wrist to accommodate the gloves. There is some staining, likely from blood or from bleeding of the red gloves worn in the fight. Muhammad Ali has signed the robe below the front left breast pocket in black sharpie. This robe originated from the Drew "Bundini" Brown collection. When Brown died in the late 1980's it was sold along with other Ali equipment as part of the storage facility's locker sale to pay Bundini's expenses. The original auction tag from that sale (No. RK8833) is still attached to the robe. The winning bidder will receive the inventory from that locker sale with a description of the robe and the corresponding locker tag number. One of the most important Ali items to ever be offered at public sale. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ali (The Movie) Corner Sweater Props Two cornermen sweaters used in the 2001 movie ALI starring Will Smith. One has Bundini on the front and Muhammad Ali on the back and was worn by actor Jamie Foxx who played Drew "Bundini" Brown. The other has Cassius Clay on the reverse and was worn by actor Paul Rodriquez who played the part of Dr. Ferdie Pacheo. The sweaters have the original movie tags attached. They are in fine conditions. Each sweater has an LOA from Sportsrobe, Inc. who supplied the sweaters for the movie.
Ali (The Movie) Sweater Props Two cornermen sweaters used in the 2001 movie ALI starring Will Smith. One is maroon in color with Muhammad Ali on the back. The other one is white in color and has Cassius Clay on the reverse. Both were worn by actor Paul Rodriguez who played the part of Dr. Ferdie Pacheo. The sweaters have the original movie tags attached. They are in fine conditions. Each sweater has an LOA from Sportsrobe, Inc. who supplied the sweaters for the movie.
Muhammad Ali Vintage Signed Glove With Expression A beautiful red leather regulation sized glove of Everlast which has been boldly signed and inscribed, "Love is the Net Where Hearts are Caught like Fish! Love Muhammad Ali." The great champion added a heart in quotations. A larger and older Ali signature which are getting scarcer everyday. Beautiful in every detail. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Muhammad Ali Autograph Lot (3) A souvenir pennant from the Ali-Frazier I fight of March 8, 1971 which has been boldly signed in black sharpie by Both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. Excellent condition, clean. Next is a 14" x 22" LeRoy Neiman poster advertising the Ali-Frazier III fight, which has been boldly signed in black sharpie. Also in excellent condition. The third item is a beautifully framed 16" x 20" sepia photo of Ali standing among cheering children, a rare shot boldly signed in blue sharpie. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
Magazines Signed By Muhammad Ali. Lot of 5 Offered in this lot are five different periodicals, all signed by Muhammad Ali. The first is an issue of Boxing Illustrated signed by both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. The 2nd is an issue of Time that Ali signed and inscribed, "Serve God He Is The Goal." The 3rd is an issue of Sports Illustrated that Ali signed and inscribed, "Serve God He Is The Goal." The 4th is an issue of The Ring that Ali signed and inscribed, "Greatest of All Time." The final magazine is an issue of The Big Book Of Boxing that Ali signed and inscribed, "2x Champion." Each issue is boldly signed and in very good condition. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Boxing Collectibles
Muhammad Ali 1978 Three Time Champion Robe In September of 1978 Muhammad Ali fought and defeated Leon Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. Ali had lost his World Heavyweight Title to Spinks just a few months before in February of 1978. When Ali was awarded a 15 round decision in September, he became the first man to win the World Heavyweight Title for a third time. To commemorate the event Ali was seen wearing boxing attire proclaiming his unique accomplishment. Presented here is a robe worn by Ali in appearances and/or training, which has written on the reverse in white script lettering, "Muhammad Ali 3 Time World Heavyweight Champion." The robe is black velvet with white terrycloth lining. It is waist length and carries an Everlast manufacturer's label on the front. The robe dates to 1981 based on the Everlast label, which would make it a possible training robe for the Trevor Berbick fight that year and a robe Ali would have likely worn during public appearances. In fine condition with some light soiling. Also missing the sash. A fantastic article that was worn by "The Greatest" during the twilight of his career. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Foreman-Norton 1974 On Site Poster On March 26, 1974 World Heavyweight Champion George Foreman defended his title against tough Ken Norton in Caracus, Venezuela. Norton had given other heavyweights difficulty, but offered little resistance for Foreman who clubbed Norton out in two rounds in a completely one sided affair. Offered here is a scarce official on site poster to the event, that pictures both fighters in vivid color. The poster measures 23" x 35" and has some surface wear and has been professionally linen backed for preservation. A very scarce on site poster.
Teofilo Stevenson Fight Worn Robe During the 1970's, the era of Ali, Frazier and Foreman, there was one man who earned tremendous consideration as one of the great heavyweights, the formidable Cuban star Teofilo Stevenson. Stevenson won multiple gold medals in the Olympics, but did not turn professional, leaving observers with the nagging question of how he would have fared against the best of the day. Most felt he would have more than held his own. Presented here is a rare fight worn robe used by Teofilo Stevenson during his illustrious amateur career. This robe is white satin and thigh length. On the reverse appears the word, CUBA. On the front, Teofilo Stevenson has boldly signed it on the pocket in black marker. In the collar is a label for the manufacturer, BATOS of Cuba. The exact events at which this robe was worn in remains unknown. The robe is in nice condition with some wear and light soiling. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Holmes-Norton Rare 1978 Signed On Site Poster. On June 9, 1978, Larry Holmes and Ken Norton battled for the WBC World Heavyweight Championship at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. In one of the closest decisions in boxing history Holmes emerged as champion winning the last round on two scorecards to seal the victory. Presented here is a very rare on site poster to this fight which has been signed in blue sharpie by Larry Holmes. The poster measures 23" x 34" and is in fine condition. The poster has been linen backed and shows virtually no flaws accept some light fading from age. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Larry Holmes 1994 Fight Worn Robe Offered here is the white satin with red trim robe made by Everlast that was worn by Larry Holmes in his fight with Garing Lane at Foxwoods Casino on March 8, 1994. The robe is full length and has been boldly signed by Larry Holmes in black marker. The robe is in fine condition with only minor soiling. LOA from Larry Holmes on his own letterhead. A rare opportunity to own a piece of fight worn equipment from the man who had the third longest reign as heavyweight champion in boxing history, a record eclipsed by only two other great ring legends, John L. Sullivan and Joe Louis. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Sugar Ray Leonard Boxing License Sugar Ray Leonard was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1980s, filling the void Muhammad Ali left when he retired in 1981. He won an unprecedented five world titles in five different weight classes and competed in some of the decades most memorable fights. Offered here is Leonard's Nevada State Boxing License renewal application that he has boldly signed with his full name Ray Charles Leonard. There are two punch holes in the top of this legal size document that do not affect the text. The item is in good condition and displays very well. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1979 Leonard-Benitez On Site Poster (Autographed) On November 30, 1979 Sugar Ray Leonard won the first world title in his career stopping Welterweight Champion Wilfred Benitz in the 15th round. Also appearing on the show were Vito Antuofermo and Marvin Hagler who fought to a controversial draw in their World Middleweight Title match. Presented here is a very scarce on site poster to this event which has been signed in pen by Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfred Benitez, Vito Antuofermo and is initialed by Marvin Hagler. Inscribed to boxing author "Peter" (Heller). The signatures are light, but readable. The poster measures 22" x 28" and is wonderfully illustrated. There is some edge and surface wear and some slight discoloration present, but this does not detract from this important poster, that displays very well. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Roberto Duran 1980 Championship Trunks From Sugar Ray Leonard I Bout On June 20, 1980 Sugar Ray Leonard defended his World Welterweight Title against a tough mauler, Roberto Duran of Panama, in a highly anticipated battle in Montreal. Leonard had won the title in 1979 and the former Olympic Champion was the clear favorite to retain his title over the much respected Duran. Duran had earned his honors in the lightweight division. He defeated Ken Buchanan in 1973 to win that title and successfully defended it twelve times before voluntarily relinquishing it in 1979 to move up in weight. Duran was a feared puncher and terrific competitor and a man of great ring savvy. He used this to his advantage against Leonard. Duran was able to get Leonard to abandon his smooth boxing style and enter into exchanges that would favor him. After 15 tough, hard fought rounds, Duran was declared the winner in a close, but decisive fight. It may well have been the greatest achievement of Roberto Duran's career. Presented here are the fight worn trunks used by Roberto Duran in his fight with Sugar Ray Leonard in Montreal. The trunks are white satin with reddish trim at the waistband and the legs. The name Roberto appears on the right leg and Duran on the left leg. The trunks show wear, but are in fine condition. The trunks originated directly from Roberto Duran himself. Duran and his wife sold the trunks to a boxing equipment manufacturer who has enclosed a letter of authenticity. Accompanying the trunks is a detailed color photograph of Leonard and Duran in the ring during the fight, clearly showing Duran wearing the trunks. These trunks highlight one of the great achievements of Roberto Duran's illustrious career and one of boxing's most memorable fights. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Roberto Duran 1983 Championship Fight Worn Trunks From The Davey Moore Bout On June 16th, 1983 Roberto Duran fought Davey Moore at Madison Square Garden in New York with Moore's WBA Junior Middleweight Title at stake. Duran's career was on the skids and he was considered the underdog for the fight. After losing his rematch with Ray Leonard in the infamous "No Mas, No Mas" fight of 1980 he began a comeback, but lost to Wilfredo Benitez and Kirkland Laing in 1982 in back to back matches. This fight, scheduled on his 32nd birthday, was different. Duran was by far the more experienced fighter, and he used his ring savvy and great punching power to pull off the upset. He stopped Moore in the 8th round to win his third world title and to reestablish himself as one of the more viable and dangerous fighters in boxing. Presented here are the fight trunks used by Roberto Duran in his fight with Davey Moore. The trunks are blue crushed velvet with a unique patch on the lower leg and are in fine condition. A LOA from the son of Duran's former manager, who took possession of the trunks after the fight, with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Roberto Duran 1978 Fight Worn Robe From Monroe Brooks Bout On December 8th, 1978 Roberto Duran fought tough Monroe Brooks at Madison Square Garden in New York. Duran stopped Brooks with a knockout in the 8th round. Presented here is the actual fight worn robe used by Roberto Duran during this fight. A knee length, blue, crushed velvet robe with the original sash. The back of the robe reads, ROBERTO DURAN CAMPEON MUNDIAL LIGERO, spelled out in white block letters. This robe is in very good condition with no serious flaws. Two or three of the letters in his name are loosened slightly. The robe comes with an LOA from Felicidad Duran, the wife of Roberto Duran in addition to an LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Roberto Duran 1979 Boxing License Application A State of Nevada Boxing License Application for the great fighter from Panama, Roberto Duran, which is boldly signed by him in blue ink and dated April 4, 1979. This was used for his first fight as a welterweight against Jimmy Heair on April 8, 1979, a fight he won by a 10 round decision. Legal size in fine condition with two punch holes at the top which do not affect the text or the signature. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1978 Duran-DeJesus III Rare On Site Poster On January 21, 1978 World Lightweight Champion Roberto Duran defended his title against an old nemesis, Esteban DeJesus at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. These two had met before. DeJesus was the first man to defeat Duran and the first to put him on the canvas. That was in 1972. They rematched in 1974 and Duran gained a measure of revenge stopping DeJesus. In the third fight rubbermatch, Duran again displayed his incredible skills and stopped DeJesus in 12 rounds. Presented here is a very rare on site poster to this event. Beautifully illustrated, measuring 22 x 28. Some edge wear and soft corners with light surface soiling and minor fading. This is the only known example of this poster.
Roberto Duran Diamond Studded Pendant and Necklace Roberto Duran's seemingly endless stamina, rugged determination and persistent ferocity carried him through a career that would span five decades and earn him the titles of WBC Lightweight Champion, WBC Welterweight Champion, WBA Light Middleweight Champion, WBC Middleweight Champion and WBA Junior Middleweight Champion. This diamond studded pendant and necklace was once the personal property of this legendary champion, known as "Manos de Pierda" (Hands of Stone) by his followers. A current professional appraisal accompanies this item and read as follows; One (1) pair of Roberto Duran Boxing Gloves Pendant and Necklace weighing 245.0 grams of Yellow Gold stamped 14k. The pendant contains approx. 5.0 carats of round diamonds with good color and clarity. The necklace measures 24" in length and 9mm in width. The necklace also contains seven (7) links of round diamonds with four (4) diamonds on each link measuring approx. 0.02 carats each. Color and clarity of these diamonds is good. Retail Replacement Value: $15,000.00. Absolutely stunning.
Roberto Duran Diamond Studded Bracelet Roberto Duran's seemingly endless stamina, rugged determination and persistent ferocity carried him through a career that would span five decades and earn him the titles of WBC Lightweight Champion, WBC Welterweight Champion, WBA Light Middleweight Champion, WBC Middleweight Champion and WBA Junior Middleweight Champion. This diamond studded bracelet was once the personal property of this legendary champion, known as "Manos de Pierda" (Hands of Stone) by his followers. A current professional appraisal accompanies this item and read as follows; One (1) R. Duran "Tri Campeon" Bracelet consisting of 830.50 grams of Yellow Gold stamped 14k. The bracelet also contains approx. 7.0 carats of round diamonds with good color and clarity. The bracelet contains four (4) heavy handmade curb link style bracelets with three (3) white gold crowns and white gold lettering. Retail Replacement Value: $25,000.00. Exquisite in every detail.
Vinny Pazienza 1990 Fight Worn Trunks From Hector Camacho Bout On February 3, 1990 Vinny Pazienza and Hector Camacho fought for the WBO Junior Welterweight Title in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Camacho prevailed in a hard fought and close fight winning a 12 round decision and the title. Presented here are the actual fight trunks worn by Vinny Pazienza in this notable fight. The trunks are white satin with black trim. They were made by Ringside and have their label on the center waistband. Also the waistband features the, PAZMAN, logo. Beautiful trunks featuring flags, shamrocks, Pazienza's nickname "Warrior" and his famed, "Kick Ass" patches. In fine condition. There is a fight video showing Pazienza in the trunks. Accompanying this item is an LOA signed by Vinny Pazienza with an additional LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Julio Cesar Chavez Boxing License World champion boxer Julio Cesar Chavez won world titles in 3 different divisions and went undefeated for 89 bouts before retiring with a record of 104-5-2. During his brilliant career he beat world champions like Edwin Rosario, Jose Luis Ramirez, Rocky Lockridge, Meldrick Taylor, Roger Mayweather, Sammy Fuentes, Hector 'Macho' Camacho, Juan Laporte and Tony Lopez. Offered here is the Official Boxing License Application for The State Athletic Commission Of Nevada dated July 3rd, 1985. His full name is given as Julio Cesar Chavez Gonzales and he has boldly signed the last page. Two punch holes in the top do not affect the text and the item is in excellent condition. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Boxing Poster Group (5) Offered in this lot are five great posters from five great fights; Ali - Foreman (LeRoy Neiman), Chavez - De La Hoya, Bowe - Holyfield II, Camacho - Duran and Hearns - Leonard I. All of these posters are in very good condition with only trivial flaws.
Carl "The Truth" Williams 1987 Championship Belt Carl "The Truth" Williams began his boxing career in 1982 and fought for 15 years in the heavyweight division. His notable fights were with Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Frank Bruno and Tim Witherspoon. He never won the world heavyweight title, but he did win the United States Boxing Association Title with a victory over Bert Cooper in 1987. Always a dangerous contender for the world crown, Williams retired from the game in 1997 with a final record of 30 wins and 10 losses. Presented here is is an actual championship belt awarded by the United States Boxing Association. The belt has a red leather sash and purple color crushed velvet lining. There are two blank plates, flanked by a center plate which includes an eagle above an enamel plate, with the word CHAMPION under the USBA lettering. It has a facsimile signature of Robert Lee, the President of the USBA. In fine condition, replete with artificial stones. Extremely attractive. Sold with an LOA from Carl "The Truth" Williams to the collector he sold the belt to. Also comes with its original case. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.
Tyson - Douglas Rare On Site Poster The greatest upset in boxing history occurred on February 11, 1990 when the 42-1 underdog Buster Douglas knocked out the seemingly invincible "Iron" Mike Tyson in the 10th round of their championship fight that took place at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Offered in this lot is the rare on site poster from that fight portraying a wonderful illustration of each fighter. The poster has a few minor surface wrinkles, but is otherwise in excellent condition. Very Fine on Linen.
Riddick Bowe Training Headgear Riddick Bowe was one of the great World Heavyweight Champions of the 1990's. Best remembered for his triology of fights with Evander Holyfield and his two brutal battles with Andrew Golota. Presented here is a well worn Everlast black leather headgear used by Riddick Bowe in training. The Everlast label is torn. Size large with original laces. Comes with a LOA signed by Riddick Bowe and a picture of Bowe with the headgear. LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports with additional LOAs from Mike Gutierrez & Bob Gryder/GAI and James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA.
Hasim Rahman 2001 Championship Fight Worn Trunks From Lennox Lewis Bout Hasim "The Rock" Rahman upset the boxing world on April 22, 2001 by knocking out reigning Heavyweight Champ Lennox Lewis in the 5th round of their title bout in Johannesburg, South Africa. Rahman would relinquish the title in a rematch with Lewis on November 17th of that same year. Offered in this lot are the colorful, red, white and blue, star-spangled trunks that Rahman wore in the ring against Lewis in their rematch. The trunks feature a large WBC World Champion patch on the lower right leg and the word "HOBO" on the lower left leg. The waistband has the word "ROCK" on the front and "HOBO" on the back. "Hobo" is an acronym for "Helping Our Brothers Out." LOA from Craig Hamilton/ JO Sports.

Session 2
Baseball Collectibles
1930s San Antonio Missions Baseball Autograph Scrapbooks with Hall of Famers Created by the same young man who compiled the incredible Major League scrapbook also in this auction, these two volumes pay tribute to the Texas League franchise that sent many of its members to the Majors. While most of the names in the hundreds of signatures will ring no bells for those unfamiliar with that minor league team, one page features a signed sheet including perfect pencil autographs of Gabby Hartnett, Chuck Klein and Ki Ki Cuyler, and another has a newspaper clipping signed by Rogers Hornsby. These alone are worth the price of admission, and who knows what rare gems may be hidden within? A 1936 team signed photo of the Missions could hold great intrigue for specialized collectors. Condition is similar to that of the Major League volume, with loose pages and chipping at the paper's edges, but nothing that affects the signatures adversely. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Amazing 1930's Child's Autograph Scrapbook with Rare Hall of Fame Signatures Franklin Young, the boy who compiled this wonderful assortment of newspaper clippings and flawless ink signatures, obviously took this hobby very seriously. The newspaper photographs and articles are cut with military precision, glued careful to the pages without the slightest crooked angle. And he chose his subjects well. Though there are obvious sentimental favorites, and the book tends toward the Pittsburgh Pirates, he is sure to include the men who were making the biggest noise in the sports pages as well, offering some of the finest vintage signatures from the Hall of Famers of the day that we've seen. Well over 125 autographs are compiled in this thrilling volume, and while many of the pages have come loose from the bindings, and are often chipping at the edges, not a single autograph is adversely affected. Occasionally the boy had the ballplayers sign the newspaper clipping itself, and other times they would sign the page beside the clipping instead. For description's sake, we will note (clip) beside the autographs that are on the newspaper image itself. Highlights include: Rogers Hornsby (2), Orel Hildebrand, Jim Bottomley, Rogers Hornsby (clip), Charlie Grimm (2), Augie Galan (2), Charlie Root, Tony Lazzeri, Gabby Hartnett, Lon Warneke, Pie Traynor (3), Arky Vaughan (clip, 2), Cookie Lavagetto, Grimm/Hartnett/Root together below a photo of all three, Honus Wagner (amazing, huge and perfect signature!), Waite Hoyt (edge wear barely touches unpersonalized inscription), Paul Waner, Cookie Lavagetto (clip), Fred Schulte, Paul Waner (clip), Monty Stratton, Ted Lyons, Jimmie Dykes, Dizzy Dean and Paul Dean side by side, scorecard signed by Jimmie Dykes, Luke Sewell and three more White Sox. Each autograph in the book is accompanied by its own, separate Global certificate of authenticity, so breakdown possibilities are tremendous. An amazing opportunity for both dealers and collectors. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Miscellaneous Collectibles
The Adolphus Hotel's 1917-1970 Register of Celebrated Guests This leather-bound tome was on hand for the better part of a century to record the signatures of society's crème de le crème who took up lodging at Dallas' European manoresque hotel. Sports heroes, politicians, stage/screen stars, and musicians alike blessed this volume with their John Hancock, which now boasts 424 signatures, neatly spaced out over sixty-plus pages. Our photographs will show that the cover and binding have felt the effects of decades of aging, and the stress of passing through hundreds of famous hands, but the inner pages have maintained their beauty throughout the years and the autographs are uniformly Mint throughout. The cumulative book values on the signatures within move well into the mid five-figure mark, and the following list only touches on a few highlights and is far from exhaustive. Please call for a complete list to be faxed, or see the list published on our website HeritageSportsCollectibles.com.

G.C. Alexander, Amos & Andy, Gene Autry, Jack Benny, James J. Braddock, William Jennings Bryan, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Paul and Dizzy Dean (together), Jack Dempsey, Babe Didrickson, Amelia Earhart, Nelson Eddy, David and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Lou Gehrig, Hoot Gibson, Red Grange, Walter Hagen (2), Warren G. Harding, Buck Jones, Robert Jones (golfer), Buster Keaton, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Benny Leonard, Charles Lindbergh (magnificently inscribed, "9-27-27, St. Louis, Mo., non stop New York to Paris"), Huey Long, John J. Pershing, Ronald Reagan, Eddie Rickenbacker (2), Nelson Rockefeller, Knute Rockne, Ginger Rogers, Will Rogers (4), Babe Ruth, John Phillip Sousa (inscribed "Stars and Stripes Forever" with musical notes), Tris Speaker, William Howard Taft, Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., Lloyd and Paul Waner (together), Johnny Weissmuller (2), Paul Whiteman, W.B. Yeats. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

Other names include Roald Amundsen, Tommy Armour, Vilma Banky, Wallace Beery, Betty Blythe, Frank Buck, Howard Chandler Christy, Mae Clarke, Irvin S. Cobb, John Connally, Gary Cooper, Douglas Corrigan, Bebe Daniels, George Duncan, Gertrude Ederle, James and Miriam Ferguson, Pauline Frederick, Mary Garden, John Nance Garner, Helen Hayes, Bob Hope, DeWolf Hopper, Al Jolson, Patsy Kelly, Kay Kyser, Suzanne Lenglen, Ed "Strangler" Lewis (2), Marcus Loew, Felix Count Luckner, C.H. Mayo, Barton McLane, Aimee Semple McPherson, Abe Mitchell, Gen. "Billy" Mitchell, Barney Oldfield (2), Sergei Rachmaninoff, Hal Roach, Lillian Roth, Chas. Ruggles, Roger Staubach, Charles Taft, Iuisa Tetrazzini, Lawrence Tibbett, Claire Windsor, Fay Wray.
Baseball Collectibles
1920 Honus Wagner Signed Check A very early personal check drawn on the account of this Hall of Fame Dead Ball-era shortstop. The elaborately scripted signature of "John H. Wagner" authorizes the payment of forty dollars to Mary Smith on this Carnegie Trust Company check from the outskirts of Pittsburgh. All ink is as dark as it was eighty-four years ago, and the stamping of the check does not affect the autograph. A wonderfully strong representation of a Wagner check. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1930 Herb Pennock Signed New York Yankees Payroll Check His early death in 1948 makes Pennock one of the toughest Hall of Fame signatures, especially on a piece like this, a payroll check issued from the team for which he won three World Championships. Dated "June 16th, 1930," the check on the account of "The American League Base Ball Club of New York, Inc." pays "$1,377.25" to "Herbert Pennock" His endorsing signature on verso is a perfect 10/10. Also note the important autographs of team president Jacob Ruppert and Secretary/Treasurer E.G. Barrow on the front, both bold and perfect as well. The check was once folded into sixths, but these vertical creases do little to detract from the overall eye appeal. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1945 Walter Johnson Signed Check Any autograph from The Big Train is very rare, and quite valuable, but a special premium is added when one comes across a rarity such as this. Serious check collectors will certainly want to make a play for this flawless specimen, drawn on the Hall of Fame pitcher's Germantown Bank account to pay four and a quarter for laundry services. All writing is in Johnson's hand. The authorizing signature is a perfect 10/10, and while light bank stamping crosses its path, it does nothing to diminish the appeal. A rare opportunity to acquire a truly special piece. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1948 Jackie Robinson Signed Check Collection. Lot of 3 Filled out and signed entirely in the Brooklyn Dodgers Hall of Famers hand during a two-week period in the spring of 1948, the pioneer and baseball hero was settling in to his second season in the dangerous world of Major League Baseball at the time. Each check is drawn upon Jackie's Chemical Bank & Trust Company account in New York City, made payable to individuals in the amounts of one hundred fifty, sixty-five and thirty dollars each. Bank stamping affects one of the three signatures, but all ink is 10/10 and the checks display very well despite occasional creasing or rust stains from paper clips. Each comes with a letter of authenticity from Jackie's widow, Rachel Robinson. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1955 Ty Cobb Signed Check The Georgia Peach's preferred green ink makes another appearance here, as he uses it to fill out and sign "Tyrus R. Cobb" for the payment of ten dollars to Harry J. Latimer Co., which, he notes, will put them "In full settlement to date." The First National Bank of Nevada check is stamped with Cobb's name at far left, making this specimen more desirable than the common bank checks which do not have this feature. All ink is perfect, and while the very light bank stamping does graze Cobb's autograph, it does not detract in the slightest. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Joe DiMaggio Signed Check Collection (10) A great dealer's lot, or a solid investment for an autograph collector who realizes just how tough these are to find. All but one of the offered checks are filled out entirely in the Yankee legend's hand, and all are signed by him in perfect blue ink. Two are drawn from the "Yankee Clipper Enterprises, Inc." account, while the balance are from Joe's personal account instead. It's also noteworthy that both "Yankee Clipper" checks, and two of the remaining eight, are signed with the rare complete "Joseph DiMaggio" autograph. All checks are in NRMT-MT condition. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1918 Connie Mack Handwritten Letters (2) Spectacular content in these very early letters find the Hall of Fame manager chasing a player of interest. May 1st letter, written on New York City hotel stationery, reads in part, "Have heard that you were the making of a good pitcher, do you intend to play professional ball and if so would you come with my club. Let me hear from you and would also like your age, height & weight and how you stand in the war draft." May 20th letter, on impressive Athletics team letterhead, is addressed to the same player, and continues, "Will you play any ball after your college closes this summer and if so where? Will be pleased to have you with me when ready." Each is signed at the close, "Yours Very Truly, Connie Mack," with the earlier letter adding "Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pa" to the closing signature. Each is in strong condition, with the later letter showing just pinpoints of holes at the intersection of the mailing folds. Both letters include original mailing envelopes, also written in Mack's hand. The player to whom these letters were written never did take Mack up on his offer to play professional baseball. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1934 St. Louis Cardinals - Cincinnati Reds Signed Government Postcards (2) The Gashouse Gang was only a month away from their historic World Series victory when they returned this card, postmarked Sept. 5, 1934, to a young autograph seeker. Perfect black fountain pen signatures feature Hall of Famers Vance, Haines and Frisch; as well as teammates Orsatti, DeLancey, Marlin, Mooney, Fullis, Gonzalez, Healey and Decum. A vertical crease at the right edge skims the edge of Vance's signature, but does nothing to detract. Also included is another 1934 government postcard signed by two Hall of Fame Cincinnati Reds -- Bottomley and Hafey; as well as teammate Carl Adams. Signatures NRMT, card EX-MT. LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1934 Rogers Hornsby Signed Government Postcard The Hall of Fame infielder was quietly closing out his incredible career with the St. Louis Browns when he signed this card while in Chicago to meet the White Sox on June 7th, 1934. The black ink signature is huge and perfect, just begging to be matted and framed with your favorite photograph of the "Rajah." LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Walter Johnson Cut Signature Clipped from a government postcard (note the postal stamping that appears below), this autograph from the "Big Train" has all the visual power of a locomotive. The great Washington Senators pitcher remains one of the toughest Golden Age signatures, and you'll find few finer than this one. LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1935 Honus Wagner - Mickey Cochrane Signed Government Postcards (2) Two great Hall of Famers stand out at the top of their respective team signed postcards, mailed to a collector with postmarks from their hometowns. Rather oddly, these two baseball legends are the only authentic signatures at the head of lists of clubhouse varieties. There is still a good bit of charm in this fact and the simple option of matting and framing the signatures with photographs exists -- thereby hiding the remainder of the secretarial signatures, if the winning bidder chose to do so. Each autograph is a perfect 10/10 and the cards show age toning but no other signs of wear. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Mid-1930s Hall of Famers Signed Government Postcard Collection (4) Back when it was actually possible, even simple, to get just about any living ballplayer's autograph just by sending a letter, some young fan took advantage of the opportunity by appealing for signatures from the game's greatest. Offered here are some of the fruits of the boy's labor: 1) Charles "Chick" Hafey, postmarked "Jun. 9, 1936." 2) Hazen 'Ki Ki" Cuyler, postmarked "Jun. 6, 1934." 3) George Sisler, postmarked "Apr. 11, 1935." 4) Best of Luck, Sincerely Waite Hoyt, postmarked "May 31, 1934." All are in strong black ink and display brilliantly against the age-toned blank side of their postcards. Cuyler's card has a diagonal vertical crease running through his signature, but it does not detract from the look of the piece. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Olympic Collectibles
1936 Jesse Owens Signed Government Postcard Just weeks before the heroic track and field star issued a figurative slap in the face to Adolf Hitler and his theories of Aryan supremacy at the Berlin Summer Games, Owens penned this brief greeting, "Sincerely, Jesse Owens," to an autograph-seeking fan. Postmarked June 16, 1936 from Columbus, Ohio, where Owens was a standout star on the Ohio State University track team, this card represents one of the most unique and appealing signatures from this great figure of twentieth century sports ever to reach the auction block. Signature is 10/10; postcard is lightly and evenly toned, but undamaged. LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Collectibles
Babe Ruth Twice Signed Envelope Why settle for just one Babe Ruth autograph like the rest of the collecting world? The offered envelope was signed not just once, but twice by the man who reinvented the game of baseball with his thunderous bat. We assume that the Babe first signed in pencil, then was presented with a pen and signed with it as well. The mystery will almost certainly never be solved, but the results sure are pleasing. Each autograph ranks a perfect 10/10. The envelope shows some minor foxing far from the signatures, and otherwise rates NRMT. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Babe Ruth Signed Envelope So bold and dark, you can see it from fifty feet away, literally. A perfect 10/10 black ink signature was actually started in pencil, but the Babe thought better of it and switched to pen instead. Surely the small pencil line could be erased, but we'll leave that up to the winning bidder. The medium is a greeting card envelope with a "Golden State" logo in the upper left corner. The envelope shows the mildest toning, and is otherwise NRMT. A truly spectacular representation of this essential autograph. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1947 Jackie Robinson Handwritten Letter and More Just two months after Jackie penned this letter to old friends back in Montreal, where he had starred as a member of the Dodgers' farm club, he would make history as he stepped out of the Ebbets Field dugout and into American history. A single page, penned entirely in Robinson's hand, proudly recounts details of his new son. "...he really is a good boy to have two grandmothers in the house all the time. He is not spoiled very much and if he was the wife and I would take it out of him when we get up to Canada (smile)." He closes the letter with "Sincerely, Jackie Robinson." All ink, and the page itself, bearing original mailing folds, are in fabulous condition. Joining Jackie's letter is another from his wife Rachel to the same Montreal friends, mailed together in the same (included) envelope, which is postmarked "Feb 13, 1947." She notes, "...We are very busy because Jack is leaving for Cuba for spring training next week..." She also makes reference to an enclosed photograph of Jackie, Jr., and this too is included in the truly special lot. The photo measures 2" x 3" in size, and like his parents' letters, remains in very strong condition. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1954 Ty Cobb Handwritten Letter Though his reputation for antisocial behavior ranks with his reputation for skill with a bat, the Georgia Peach mellowed later in life, and one often finds his correspondence to be quite gracious in his golden years. Though he explains to a fan that he is unwilling to sign as many photographs as the fan has requested, he closes by stating that, "...I have always felt honored anyone would want my autograph..." The 5" x 6.5" note on a Reno, Nevada hotel's stationery is penned in the Hall of Famer's distinctive green ink and signed, "Sincerely, Ty Cobb." A single vertical crease bisects the page, and glue remnants on the back remain from its former life in a scrapbook. Neither detracts significantly from eye appeal. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1957 Jackie Robinson Signed Letter Less than a year after the great Hall of Fame infielder took his final swings at Ebbets, he mailed this letter to a journalist for the "Winston-Salem Journal" in response to a request to be interviewed for an article about his former manager, Walt Alston. The content is eye-opening: "Frankly, Mal, I would prefer not getting involved in a story on Walt. I have a great deal of respect for him as a man and would much prefer leaving it at that. I am sure you understand why I don't want to get involved as I couldn't say too many nice things about him as a manager. I hope you will keep this confidential..." Typed on letterhead from his new workplace, Chock Full o' Nuts, the letter is signed at the close in perfect blue ink. The letter has original mailing folds, and is otherwise in wonderful condition. Included is a letter of authenticity from the journalist to whom the letter was mailed. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cal Ripken, Jr. Handwritten Letter - Undated Durability was never enough for this legend of our time, a throwback to an age sadly lost when one's work ethic was the most important thing of all. Though we tend to remember this Baltimore Orioles infielder for just his incredible streak, surpassing the "Iron Horse" himself, this almost superhuman feat should not overshadow the quality of the work Cal accomplished season after season. From Rookie of the Year in 1982, to two American League MVP Awards, to an unbelievable nineteen All-Star Game appearances; Ripken stuck around not just because he was tough and dedicated, but because his team needed him and he earned his spot on the field every day. The letters offered below were penned by a teenage superstar in the making to our consignor, who was dating Cal at the time. They offer a rather charming and innocent look into the mind and heart of a boy on the brink of greatness, and are certainly the earliest Cal Ripken, Jr. handwritten letters ever offered for public sale. Excerpts of each are listed below.

"So how did you like my senior picture? Looks different, doesn't it? All except for the eyes of course. I'll have you know that's the best picture I ever had in school before. About my job, it's very easy and non time consuming. I'm the official score keeper for a basketball league. I only work Monday thru Thursday from 6 - 9:30 and get paid 6 dollars a game. We usually work 4 games a night. It puts gas in the car!" He signs "Love, Cal." Three pages are all written on one side. Original mailing envelope is also filled out in Cal's hand. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cal Ripken, Jr. Handwritten Letter - Undated. Durability was never enough for this legend of our time, a throwback to an age sadly lost when one's work ethic was the most important thing of all. Though we tend to remember this Baltimore Orioles infielder for just his incredible streak, surpassing the "Iron Horse" himself, this almost superhuman feat should not overshadow the quality of the work Cal accomplished season after season. From Rookie of the Year in 1982, to two American League MVP Awards, to an unbelievable nineteen All-Star Game appearances; Ripken stuck around not just because he was tough and dedicated, but because his team needed him and he earned his spot on the field every day. The letters offered below were penned by a teenage superstar in the making to our consignor, who was dating Cal at the time. They offer a rather charming and innocent look into the mind and heart of a boy on the brink of greatness, and are certainly the earliest Cal Ripken, Jr. handwritten letters ever offered for public sale. Excerpts of each are listed below.

"I know your (sic) probably really mad at me right now and you really should be. I should have taken time to call you or write you before this. All I can say is I'm sorry. Well how have you been? Working hard? Of course you are, you have a hard job don't you? Kinda like my regular job (Baseball) huh? Very difficult!. You know something bad happened to my car! Maybe I already told you this but I might not have. Well anyway I went to a school wrestling match & when I came out there was egg smashed all over my car. Now that wasn't very nice, was it?.." He signs "Love Always, Cal." Five pages are all written on one side. Original mailing envelope is also filled out in Cal's hand. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cal Ripken, Jr. 1978 Handwritten Letter Durability was never enough for this legend of our time, a throwback to an age sadly lost when one's work ethic was the most important thing of all. Though we tend to remember this Baltimore Orioles infielder for just his incredible streak, surpassing the "Iron Horse" himself, this almost superhuman feat should not overshadow the quality of the work Cal accomplished season after season. From Rookie of the Year in 1982, to two American League MVP Awards, to an unbelievable nineteen All-Star Game appearances; Ripken stuck around not just because he was tough and dedicated, but because his team needed him and he earned his spot on the field every day. The letters offered below were penned by a teenage superstar in the making to our consignor, who was dating Cal at the time. They offer a rather charming and innocent look into the mind and heart of a boy on the brink of greatness, and are certainly the earliest Cal Ripken, Jr. handwritten letters ever offered for public sale. Excerpts of each are listed below.

"The only reason I can give for not writing in such a long time is that I've really been busy. Believe it or not but at least I'm finally writing! I'm also cutting in on my sleeping time (Alone) but I don't really mind. I hope you don't think we're arguing again because my writing is just warming up, that's all! I can't afford too many long distance phone calls to Fla. & I'm sure you can't either. Well, I'm getting a little tired so I guess I'll get ready for bed (Your (sic) invited). Take care of yourself, Love Always, Cal." Three pages are written on front and back of two sheets of Baltimore Orioles letterhead. Original mailing envelope is also filled out in Cal's hand, and is postmarked with the date. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cal Ripken, Jr. February 15, 1979 Handwritten Letter Durability was never enough for this legend of our time, a throwback to an age sadly lost when one's work ethic was the most important thing of all. Though we tend to remember this Baltimore Orioles infielder for just his incredible streak, surpassing the "Iron Horse" himself, this almost superhuman feat should not overshadow the quality of the work Cal accomplished season after season. From Rookie of the Year in 1982, to two American League MVP Awards, to an unbelievable nineteen All-Star Game appearances; Ripken stuck around not just because he was tough and dedicated, but because his team needed him and he earned his spot on the field every day. The letters offered below were penned by a teenage superstar in the making to our consignor, who was dating Cal at the time. They offer a rather charming and innocent look into the mind and heart of a boy on the brink of greatness, and are certainly the earliest Cal Ripken, Jr. handwritten letters ever offered for public sale. Excerpts of each are listed below.

"I'm finally getting ready for Spring Training. I've been throwing a little and hitting a bit! I imagine I'll be ready when I get there. My dad leaves next week some time. They really have to be down early this year! Well, Happy Days is ready to come on television and then my soap opera - Young & Restless - so I'll have to close at this time." He signs "Love, Cal." Two pages are written on one side, and the third page continues on the back. Original mailing envelope is also filled out in Cal's hand, and is postmarked with the date. LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Incredible Complete Series of Proof Lithographs Signed by Artist Christopher Paluso (25) With a skill and humanity reminiscent of the great Saturday Evening Post artist Norman Rockwell, celebrated sports artist Christopher Paluso does far more than simply capture his famous subjects with photographic realism. His years of training and experience, and his innate gift for his craft allow him to evoke something deeper in the sports heroes he depicts, a gift that has brought him raves from the athletic world and beyond. Paluso's artwork has been featured on covers of All-Star Game programs, sports magazines, book illustrations, Fotoballs and commemorative plates. He is the official artist of the San Diego Hall of Champions, the San Diego Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame, the Hawthorn Race Course Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame. His artwork, such as those listed below, are among the most sought after of all such works in the hobby. We are pleased to present this fine assortment of Paluso's best works, signed by the men fortunate enough to serve as his subjects.

A truly special offering from the renowned sports artist combines several factors that makes these lithos a cut above the rest. First, of course, the quality of the artwork is spectacular. Secondly, each is signed in perfect pencil by both the athlete pictured and the artist himself. Third, the artist has also added a hand-drawn portrait of each athlete to the lower border of the work called a remarque, which is a way that artists have found to give the buyer a unique piece of art on their lithograph without the prohibitive cost of an original painting. And finally, each print is numbered 19 of an Artist's Proof run of only 50, which to our knowledge is the last intact set with matching numbers in the hobby. The honored 25 are Boudreau, Appling, Irving, Doerr, Herman, Musial, Koufax, Mays, Ryan, Drysdale, Ted Williams, Muhammad Ali, Mantle, Gehringer, Mize, Dickey, Hubbell, Kiner, Feller, Campanella, Sewell, Gomez, Sutton, Sparky Anderson and Yastrzemski. Enough fabulous sports art to fill every wall in your trophy room, or a top opportunity for a dealer to break the set down for retail purposes. All signatures, and the artwork itself, are Mint. Certificates of Authenticity are included for each of the lithographs in the set with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Lefty Gomez Signed Original Painting by Christopher Paluso With a skill and humanity reminiscent of the great Saturday Evening Post artist Norman Rockwell, celebrated sports artist Christopher Paluso does far more than simply capture his famous subjects with photographic realism. His years of training and experience, and his innate gift for his craft allow him to evoke something deeper in the sports heroes he depicts, a gift that has brought him raves from the athletic world and beyond. Paluso's artwork has been featured on covers of All-Star Game programs, sports magazines, book illustrations, Fotoballs and commemorative plates. He is the official artist of the San Diego Hall of Champions, the San Diego Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame, the Hawthorn Race Course Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame. His artwork, such as those listed below, are among the most sought after of all such works in the hobby. We are pleased to present this fine assortment of Paluso's best works, signed by the men fortunate enough to serve as his subjects.

We are pleased to present this fine piece honoring Lefty Gomez. The Hall of Fame Yankees pitcher certainly approved of this painting featuring four portraits of him in varying poses. His gold paint pen signature appears at bottom center to prove it! Triple-matted and framed to a museum quality 25" x 30" in size. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Carl Hubbell Signed Original Painting by Christopher Paluso With a skill and humanity reminiscent of the great Saturday Evening Post artist Norman Rockwell, celebrated sports artist Christopher Paluso does far more than simply capture his famous subjects with photographic realism. His years of training and experience, and his innate gift for his craft allow him to evoke something deeper in the sports heroes he depicts, a gift that has brought him raves from the athletic world and beyond. Paluso's artwork has been featured on covers of All-Star Game programs, sports magazines, book illustrations, Fotoballs and commemorative plates. He is the official artist of the San Diego Hall of Champions, the San Diego Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame, the Hawthorn Race Course Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame. His artwork, such as those listed below, are among the most sought after of all such works in the hobby. We are pleased to present this fine assortment of Paluso's best works, signed by the men fortunate enough to serve as his subjects.

Known alternately as "King Carl" and "The Meal Ticket," Carl Hubbell dominated the 1930's National League, earning himself a Cooperstown plaque. His perfect gold paint pen signature appears at bottom center. Triple-matted and framed to a museum quality 25" x 30" in size. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Roy Campanella Signed Original Painting by Christopher Paluso With a skill and humanity reminiscent of the great Saturday Evening Post artist Norman Rockwell, celebrated sports artist Christopher Paluso does far more than simply capture his famous subjects with photographic realism. His years of training and experience, and his innate gift for his craft allow him to evoke something deeper in the sports heroes he depicts, a gift that has brought him raves from the athletic world and beyond. Paluso's artwork has been featured on covers of All-Star Game programs, sports magazines, book illustrations, Fotoballs and commemorative plates. He is the official artist of the San Diego Hall of Champions, the San Diego Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame, the Hawthorn Race Course Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame. His artwork, such as those listed below, are among the most sought after of all such works in the hobby. We are pleased to present this fine assortment of Paluso's best works, signed by the men fortunate enough to serve as his subjects.

The first great African-American catcher in the Majors, Campy helped share the burden carried by his Brooklyn teammate Jackie Robinson as they battled for equality and that elusive World Championship. His gold paint pen signature appears at top left of this fine work. Triple-matted and framed to a museum quality 27" x 37" in size. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Nolan Ryan Signed Lithograph by Christopher Paluso Paulso's lithographs, such as the one listed below, are among the most sought after of all such works in the hobby. We are offering a signed piece of Nolan Ryan whose record of 5,714 career strike outs is among the most untouchable in the book, ensuring that this hard-throwing Texan will never be forgotten. He is appropriately honored with this limited edition (372/383) litho signed in pencil by both Ryan and the artist Paluso. Measures 18" x 24". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Nolan Ryan Signed Original Painting by Christopher Paluso With a skill and humanity reminiscent of the great Saturday Evening Post artist Norman Rockwell, celebrated sports artist Christopher Paluso does far more than simply capture his famous subjects with photographic realism. His years of training and experience, and his innate gift for his craft allow him to evoke something deeper in the sports heroes he depicts, a gift that has brought him raves from the athletic world and beyond. Paluso's artwork has been featured on covers of All-Star Game programs, sports magazines, book illustrations, Fotoballs and commemorative plates. He is the official artist of the San Diego Hall of Champions, the San Diego Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame, the Hawthorn Race Course Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame. His artwork, such as those listed below, are among the most sought after of all such works in the hobby. We are pleased to present this fine assortment of Paluso's best works, signed by the men fortunate enough to serve as his subjects.

Lithographs are great (a fine limited edition of 383 was created from this piece, one of which is offered in this auction), but nothing beats the original itself. We are pleased to offer this magnificent study of the game's most dominating pitcher, a one-of-a-kind oil on board work featuring five images of the ageless master of the mound when he was still hard at work. Note that the small window at bottom right pictures baseballs used in his five no-hitters. Perhaps if the winning bidder runs into Paluso one day, he could have him add numbers six and seven, which each came after the 1987 creation of this work. The image are measures 19.5" x 24", and is matted to an overall area of 2" x 30". As Paluso's star continues to rise (and certainly Nolan Ryan's legacy will never falter), this piece could only climb in value. A beautiful work, and a strong investment to boot. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA
Joe DiMaggio Signed Danny Day Lithograph One of the finest signed DiMaggio pieces we've ever come across, pairing a magnificent work from noted sports artist Danny Day with a 10/10 silver sharpie signature from the man it honors. The prettiest swing in baseball history is captured with photo-realism at the center of various images of Joltin' Joe at work. Numbered a very limited "45/56 Artist Proof," and signed by the artist as well. Printed on heavy artist's board to overall dimensions of 35x39. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Mickey Mantle Signed Original Rit LaStarza Pastel Artwork One-of-a-kind color portrait of the Mick in his classic batting stance is fittingly blessed with one of the strongest blue sharpie signatures you'll ever see. This large work (18" x 21") is also signed and dated by the artist, "Rit LaStarza 1990," and artfully matted and framed to an overall size of 25" x 28". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Bobby Thomson - Ralph Branca "Memorable Moments" Signed Giclee One of the most vivid and vibrant depictions of "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" ever seen. Painted in a style reminiscent of famed sports artist Leroy Neiman, this large (34" x 43" framed) and impressive print on canvas was hand-embellished by the artist, and signed by the victor and the vanquished in baseball's most famous duel. Interestingly, it was won by a MasterCard holder in the credit card company's "Major League Baseball Memorable Moments" sweepstakes, a first place prize valued at $4,325. All paperwork related to the contest is included. Photographs could not do this piece justice. It's quite stunning. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Brooklyn Dodgers Multi-Signed Large Photograph More Bums than your wife's family reunion. An incredible assortment of fifty-seven perfect blue sharpie signatures fill the sky above this fine lithographic image of the famed Flatbush ballpark, with over twenty signers since departed. In other words, you'll never be able to come close to recreating this one. Snider, Reese, Erskine, Cimoli, Labine, Podres, Newcombe, Black, Camilli, Craig, Gionfriddo, Jorgensen, Neal, Zimmer, Roebuck, Pignatano, Ransom Jackson and Pafko are among the notables. The print by Murray Tinkleman measures 18" x 20". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Signed Print Collection (33) Masterful works by top sports artists James Zar, Ron Lewis and T. Houle have been printed onto 8" x 10" photographic paper, and signed by the legend of the diamond each portrays. Perfect sharpie signatures are here from: Aaron, Banks, Bench (3), Berra (2), Drysdale (3), Feller, Ford, Koufax, Reggie Jackson, Killebrew (2), Mathews, Mays (2), Musial, Brooks Robinson (2), Frank Robinson, Rose, Schoendienst, Seaver, Slaughter, Snider (2), Spahn (3), Yastrzemski. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Miscellaneous Collectibles
"Super Heroes of Sports" Multi-Signed Lithograph After finalizing signing contracts with fifteen of the greatest living stars from professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey, noted sports artist George Bungarda set about creating this gorgeous lithograph picturing each athlete with photo-realistic detail. The result is a massive 35" x 48" matted display piece bearing sixty perfect blue sharpie signatures that read as follows: Baseball (Hunter, Stargell, Snider, Banks, Robinson, Slaughter, Jenkins, Marichal, Irvin, Perry, Feller, Kell, Lemon, Doerr, Fingers). Football (Maynard, Adderley, Biletnikoff, Lilly, Tittle, Lane, Hirsch, Deacon Jones, Hornung, Jim Brown, Butkus, Van Buren, Roosevelt Brown, Motley, Donovan). Basketball (Barry, Abdul-Jabbar, David Thompson, Thurmond, West, Schayes, Walton, Lucas, Monroe, DeBusschere, Sharman, Macauley, Archibald, Bellamy). Hockey (Bossy, Park, Richard, Beliveau, Mahovlich, Mikita, Bobby Hull, Geoffrion, Parent, Delvecchio, Pilote, Dionne, Lindsay, Cheevers, Bower). Limited edition 5/400. Imagine what this piece will be worth in fifty years! LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Collectibles
Derek Jeter Signed Original Danny Day Oil Painting Yankee All-Star shortstop, future Hall of Famer. Breathtaking one-of-a-kind original oil painting on canvas by premier sports artist Danny Day is signed in bold sharpie by both the artist and his subject. This stunning example of Day's almost photographic style captures three images of Jeter, and is custom framed in a manner befitting the piece's quality. Acquired through Jeter's personal marketing company, Steiner Sports, with a publisher's list price of $17,500. 20" x 28". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Mark McGwire Limited Edition Stephen Holland Giclee This huge (28" x 42") limited deluxe edition (25/70) canvas entitled "Road to Glory" offers hand colored highlights from the famed sports artist Stephen Holland, who has signed and numbered the work as well. A choice example, listed in excess of $4,000 by the publisher.
1924 First Colored World Series Multi-Signed Panoramic Display This absolutely jaw-dropping collection of autographs from "the other league" must have taken hundreds upon hundreds of hours to complete--an incredible labor of love. It would be absolutely impossible to reproduce, or to come anywhere close to recreating a piece so comprehensive. Of the 193 autographs inhabiting every square centimeter of space on the matting surrounding this reproduction panoramic print of the "First Colored World Series, October 11, 1924" , fewer than eighty signers are still alive today. Before very long, pieces like this will be all that is left of this vibrant chapter in the story of our national pastime. There are obviously far too many names to list, but notables include Joe Black, Lyman Bostock Sr., Leon Day, Gibson Jr., Toots Ferrell, Bee Bop Gordon, Hoppy Hopkins, Monte Irvin, Sam Jethroe, Sweet Lou Johnson, Buck Leonard, Lester Lockett, Charlie Neal, Buck O'Neil, Double Duty Radcliffe and dozens upon dozens more. All autographs are in either black ballpoint or felt tip ink, with not a single specimen of the 193 dipping below 9/10 in quality. Measuring an impressive 14x42" inches in size, even those sizable dimensions hardly seem capable of holding so much baseball history. LOAs from Mike Gutierrez & Bob Gryder/GAI and James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA.
1930s Gabby Hartnett Signed and Unsigned Photograph Collection. Lot of 3 A trio of fantastic images of this Hall of Fame backstop, with one charmingly inscribed to a buddy. We'll begin with that one, a postcard-sized (4" x 6") image of Gabby in his catching crouch, with the inscription, "To my Pall John, here's hoping I'll be in hell making it hot for him, Leo 'Gabby' Hartnett." The ink lightens slightly in the autograph, but the majority of the blue ink remains in NRMT condition. The photo itself has some remnants of tape and glue from a scrapbook, but still displays wonderfully. Another image of the same size of Gabby standing in catcher's gear is in NRMT condition. The third image is a large and magnificent studio shot, featuring a 6" x 8.5" image of Hartnett standing in uniform on a 10" x 14" sheet of high-grade photographic paper. NRMT. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1933 Babe Ruth Signed Photograph Having just called his 1932 World Series shot four months earlier, the Babe was still enjoying his last World Championship at the time this photo was snapped and signed. A marvelous portrait of a nattily dressed Bambino is inscribed in the darkest possible ink to a fan. "To Matty Martin, From Babe Ruth, Feb 7th, 1933." The rare (for the time) 8" x 10" format of the photo makes it particularly desirable, and stamping on verso suggests that it was taken for a news service. The photograph remains as strong as the inscription it holds, at a solid NRMT. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1941 New York Yankees Team Photograph Signed by Joe McCarthy Fantastic and rare vintage team issued photograph pictures "The Yankee Clipper" during the season of his greatest accomplishment, the untouchable fifty-six game hitting streak. A perfect black ink inscription, "To My Pal Tim Hall, Sincerely Joe McCarthy," spans the pinstriped chests of the manager's squad. The vast majority of the wear is localized in the large white borders, leaving the possibility of a NRMT appearance to the photo with a simple matting and framing. 8" x 10" in size. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1949 and 1952 New York Yankees Team Signed Photographs Though both photos were printed and signed well after the fact, the autograph collector was still able to hunt a high percentage of the World Champion ballplayers down for this project. The 1949 photo offers twenty-three signatures including DiMaggio, Mize, Berra, Rizzuto (smudged), Crosetti, Raschi, Lopat, Reynolds and more. The 1952 image features twenty-four signatures including Mantle, Berra, Rizzuto, Martin, Mize, Crosetti, Dickey, Reynolds, Raschi and more. With the lone exception of Rizzuto's 1949 and Silvera's 1952, all autographs are EX/MT or better. The 8" x 10" photos show no damage whatsoever. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1960 New York Yankees "Welcome Home Dinner" Team Signed Display The eventual Champions of the American League are welcomed back to the Bronx, an event documented in this oversized 11" x 19" photo issued only to those close to the organization. Photograph has some minimal, incidental creasing that does nothing to detract from its overall appearance. Matted and framed below is a program for the event signed by many of the Yanks in attendance including Maris, Mantle, Howard, Dickey, Ford, Lopat, Boyer, Richardson, Turley, Terry and more. All ink is in perfect 10/10 condition. Both the photo and the program are printed with the banquet's location (Hotel Concourse Plaza) and date (April 22, 1960). Matted and framed to 24"x 33". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Roger Maris Vintage Signed Photograph The defining image of the man who successfully chased down the Babe in 1961 bears a very strong (9/10) blue ink signature which certainly dates from the era, if not from the actual season of glory. There is, after all, some evidence to support that it does date to the Year of the Chase, as a child's vintage penned notation on back reads, "September 11, 1961, Charlotte, N.C., Griffith Park, Roger Maris, Jim Gentile, Harmon Killebrew." Of course it's impossible to deduce what these notations mean - -Maris was neither in Charlotte, nor at the Senators' Griffith Stadium on the date in question, but the mere existence of an obviously vintage-penned "1961" here is a fairly strong indication that it was signed that season. Regardless, Maris signed photographs are quite precious, and strong vintage specimens carry a premium. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1952 Detroit Tigers Team Signed Large Photograph Not too many smiles in this large (10" x 14") photo, and not too much to smile about. The club managed just 50 wins this season, despite a fine assortment of talent that included Newhouser, Littlefield, Trucks, Wertz and Pesky in the field, and Hall of Famers Ted Lyons and Rick Ferrell strategizing in the dugout. A remarkably strong vintage piece, with the 31 signatures averaging a strong 8.5/10, and the photo offering a scattering of creases and tears, none of which is instantly apparent unless closely inspected. Displays much better than its technical grade. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Roberto Clemente Signed Sport Magazine Photograph The combination of his incredible talent, his great humanitarianism, and his early, tragic death makes Roberto Clemente's autograph one of the most prized and valuable signatures of post-war ballplayers. Here's a 10/10 blue ink example, offering a "Best Wishes" inscription to boot. The medium is an 8" x 10" color photograph culled from an old issue of Sport Magazine. The page shows some creasing and scattered scuffing of the image, but the autograph is unaffected, and the page still displays very well. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ted Williams - Joe DiMaggio - Mickey Mantle Autograph Collection (5) Baseball legends don't get much bigger than these guys, whose perfect blue sharpie signatures bless a variety of mediums. 1) Williams 8" x 10" print. 2) DiMaggio 8" x 10" print. 3) Mantle 8 " x 10" print. 4) Williams cover of 1947 "PIC" magazine. 5) Williams - Duke Snider cover of 1947 "The Saturday Evening Post." Magazines are complete and display perfectly, despite spine wear on "PIC" specimen. Great break down value for dealers, or a strong start for budding autograph collectors. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
DiMaggio, Crosetti and Camilli Autograph Package Included in this group lot are 1) a 16" x 20" B/W photo signed by the three San Francisco natives of Italian-American descent. Interestingly, all three played in the Pacific Coast League and later migrated from the Left Coast to achieve stardom on the diamond while performing before fans in the "Big Apple" -- DiMaggio and Crosetti with the Yankees and Camilli with the Dodgers. In addition, both DiMaggio and Camilli garnered MVP awards from their respective leagues in 1941. Crosetti has penned the following notations, "N.Y. Yankees, 1932 - 1968," and Camilli, "NL M.V.P. 1941." 2-4) Joe DiMaggio signed OAL (Budig) ball on sweetspot; Frank Crosetti signed OAL (Budig) ball on sweetspot with the inscription, "23 World Series," and Dolph Camilli signed ONL (Coleman) ball on sweetspot with the inscription, "M.V.P. 1941." LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
Hall of Famers & Stars Signed Exhibit Card Collection (17) Some big names here, and all have offered flawless autographs. The majority of the signatures are modern autographs on vintage exhibit cards, and will be noted when otherwise. Ink signatures: Ted Williams (2), Ritchie Ashburn, Bucky Walters, Marty Marion. Sharpie signatures: Mickey Mantle (2; one is personalized "To Roy"), Joe DiMaggio, Lou Boudreau, Bob Feller, Hank Greenberg, Mickey Vernon (3). Also included is a Whitey Ford signed yellow Hall of Fame plaque, a Stan Coveleski signed red Hall of Fame plaque (with a brief handwritten note on a separate page from Coveleski to the autograph collector, noting that "I sure don't like the red H of F postcards."), and a vintage postcard picturing Dom, Joe and Vince DiMaggio, signed in ink or blue sharpie by all three. A couple of the exhibit cards show minor edge wear, but overall condition is very strong. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Collectibles
Roger Maris Signed Photograph, Fielding Pose Fine image of the hard-slugging Yankee in his home stripes is signed in bold and flawless black sharpie. Authentic Maris signed photos are becoming more and more rare in the hobby these days. 8" x 10". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers & Stars Signed Photograph Collection (52). Clear a big wall in your home, because this massive collection of 8" x 10" photos, each signed in perfect sharpie, is going to take up some room. Banks (2), Berra, Boggs (2), Brett, Brock, Clemens, Cecil Cooper (2), Dom DiMaggio, Joe DiMaggio, Drysdale (2), Hoot Evers, Feller (2), Fingers, Fisk (2), Ford (2), Gibson, Pete Gray, Griffey Jr., Grove (vintage 1931 wire photo, 7" x 9", EX), Henrich, Kaline, Killebrew, Kiner, Mantle (4, with amazing and rare rookie portrait), McCovey (2), Mize, Musial (2), Pesky, Piersall (2, one personalized to Charlie), Rice, Rose, Ryan, Slaughter, Vernon, Ted Williams (2), Ted Williams/Doerr/Dom DiMaggio signed by all three, Yastrzemski (2). Note that there are no duplicate images when an athlete has signed multiple photographs. All photos are Mint unless otherwise noted. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Thurman Munson Signed Photograph Perhaps the finest signed 8" x 10" photo of the tragic New York Yankees catcher ever to reach the auction block. This early shot of a (relatively) clean-shaven Munson offers a black ink signature that is simply unimprovable. The photograph is actually an oversized baseball card/promotional give-away issued by Arco in 1971. The mildest toning to the upper left border is all that dissuades us from calling it Mint as well. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Babe Ruth Signed Photograph A never-before-seen image of the Babe at spring training offers the perfect home for a flawless 10/10 black ink inscription, reading, "To Donald, From Babe Ruth." The image size of this crystal-clear photo measures 3.5" x 4.75", though the wide borders expand the overall dimensions to 5.5" x 8". A diagonal crease runs from right to left across the Babe's knees, though it is only visible at certain angles to the light, and will certainly disappear completely from sight upon framing. The combination of the unique photograph and perfection of the inscription makes this piece particularly interesting for the serious collector. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
New York Yankee 1998 Team Signed Photo One of the greatest Yankee teams of all time (114 regular season wins and a World Series Championship) has signed this limited edition photograph ( # 133 of 250). 21 signatures including Torre, Jeter, Pettitte, Rivera, Williams, Posada, Wells and many more. LOA from Golden Sports Marketing & Licensing. The photo measures 16" x 20" and is framed. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
New York Yankees 1999 Team Signed Photo A limited edition 16" x 20" team photo of the 1999 World Champion New York Yankees signed boldly by 25 members including: Jeter, Torre, O'Neill, Williams, Zimmer, Hernandez, Knoblauch and many more. Professionally framed. Number 55 of 99. LOA from Goldin Sports Marketing & Licensing. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1946 Montreal Royals Team Signed Mini Bat with Jackie Robinson If you believe that Jackie Robinson became the first African-American to play organized baseball in 1947, you're only half right. The color barrier was actually snapped by the courageous Hall of Famer a year earlier, as Jackie took the field as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers' International League farm club. Offered here is one of the very few existing team signed pieces from the Little World Series Championship squad, featuring an unimprovable signature from the League's batting Champion and first black athlete. The 17-inch souvenir bat is engraved "Montreal Royals" in block lettering, and shares space with eight of Jackie's teammates, including the famous Spider Jorgensen. All signatures rate 8/10 or better, due in part to an expert vintage application of clear sealant. Date in unknown hand is "9 Aout 1946." LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1950 "Clubhouse Quizz" Advertising Piece Signed by Almost 200 National Leaguers An veritable flood of 198 autographs fills every square inch of this story board advertising piece (14" x 22") used during the 1950 season of the New York Giants' post-game show, "The Clubhouse Quizz." Among the luminaries that appeared on the show, and subsequently added their autographs to the roster: Jackie Robinson (8/10), Snider (7/10) Campanella (7/10), Reese (8/10), Hodges (9/10), the rare Bennie Bengough (10/10), Kluszewski (8/10), Durocher (8/10), Kiner, Slaughter, Robin Roberts, Newcombe, Schoendienst. The list goes on and on. The balance of the autographs range from a scant few 4/10's to the vast majority in the 6/10 to 9/10 neighborhood. Inscription in unknown hand on the can of Ehler's coffee at center reads, "From Bob Edge To Nat & Gayle, In sincere appreciation for a splendid season -- it was a pleasure." The piece itself shows very light toning and just a touch of foxing at the outermost edges, failing to affect a single signature. Matted and framed to 21"x 28" in size. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1953 St. Louis Browns Team Signed Sheet We've often wondered why so few relics from the Brownies have survived to the modern day. One theory is that they were so awful (they posted a 54-100 record in '53) that nobody cared. But then Bill Veeck could still bring fans out to the ballpark, though this came on the strength of his Barnum-esque stunts (i.e., Eddie Gaedel) rather than for the drama of a pennant chase. Regardless of the reason for the scarcity, we can take heart in the fact that this charming piece survived, featuring 26 9/10 and better blue ink signatures from the team that would become the Baltimore Orioles the following season. Most notable are the great Veeck (in 10/10 pencil) and Satchel Paige, the ageless Negro League sensation. Larsen, Wertz, Trucks, Marion and Dyck are among the others present. Some tape staining at the edges, scattered foxing and original mailing folds with minor separation are noted for accuracy, though the overall eye appeal (especially with the great Brownies in the letterhead) is top-notch anyhow. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Sporting News Hall of Fame Multi-Signed Book The perfect blue ink signatures just keep on coming, from an amazing sixty-two gentlemen enshrined at Cooperstown. Those who had been inducted by the year of this volume's printing (1982) have signed on their respective biographies, while the balance of signatures from those who entered the Hall in 1983 and beyond have signed on blank pages in the front and back of the book, all adding "HOF (year)" to their signatures. Far, far too many to list here (please see website for a complete list), but highlights include: Mantle, Ted Williams, DiMaggio, Koufax, Mathews, Mays, Musial, Snider, Dandridge, Aaron, Stargell, Reese, Spahn, Mize, Hunter and many, many more. Signature quality is a consistent NRMT-MT, and the book itself shows light spine wear from its travels to endless signings, but otherwise is in very strong, undamaged condition. LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Yankee Stadium Sport-Stars Autographed Book Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923 and was instantly dubbed "The House That Ruth Built" after the legendary Yankee home run hitter Babe Ruth. Since it's inception, Yankee Stadium has hosted some of the most notable events in sporting history, not only championship baseball and football, but some of the great title fights as well. Recorded in this book are nearly 100 autographs from the people who took center stage in this noble arena. Names like; Whitey Ford, Lou Brock, Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Don Larson, Bob Feller, Harmon Killebrew, George Kell, Phil Rizzuto, Doc Blanchard, Glenn Davis, Paul Hornung, Rosie Brown, Y.A. Tittle, Jake LaMotta, and the list goes on... Don't miss this great opportunity to acquire a documented piece of this historic stadium's history. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1983 Old Timers All-Star Game Multi-Signed Program with DiMaggio One lucky fan at the June 5, 1983 Comiskey Park event got close enough to the field to acquire 26 signatures from the luminaries who appeared this day. The program from the event is signed on the cover by DiMaggio, Feller, Yount, Dickey, Roush, Dawson, Larsen, Chandler, Campanis, Olsen, Crandall, Oliva, Keltner, Kessinger, Billy Williams, Sewell, Raines, Madlock and more. Program itself is EX-MT, and is accompanied by an EX ticket stub to the event. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
Perez-Steele "Great Moments" Complete Set with Twenty-Six Signed Cards Their large dimensions (6" x 8") and graphics reminiscent of the 1911 Turkey Red cabinet cards make them a favorite among collectors loyal to the famous house of Perez-Steele. Also very popular among autograph collectors, this full set of 108 features twenty-six that are signed in perfect blue sharpie: Kaline, Ford, Aaron, Musial, Ted Williams, Spahn, Koufax, Roberts, Mantle, Banks, Mize, Irvin, Mathews, Slaughter, Gehringer, Snider, Dandridge, Doerr, Stargell, Brooks Robinson, Herman, Aparicio, Gomez, Killebrew, McCovey and Dickey. All are numbered of a limited edition 4542/5000. Mint. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ted Williams, Mantle, Aaron & Mays Signed Hall of Fame Plaques Trading card-sized representations of these four superstar sluggers' Cooperstown plaques are signed by each in perfect blue marker. Fantastic breakdown value, and all cards are in fresh-from-the-pack condition.
Baseball Collectibles
Mantle, Mays & Ted Williams Signed Glove Collection. Lot of 3 You won't find three bigger talents than these gentlemen, all the elite of the elite. Each has signed a fielding glove in perfect sharpie. Mantle's and Mays' show only light wear, and Williams' glove shows heavy use. Please understand that these gloves were not worn by the athletes in question. Nonetheless, the rarity of signed gloves from these superstars means that they carry a significant premium. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez Signed Jersey Direct from the two hundred fifty-two million dollar man's personal marketing company, AROD Authenticated, comes this exact replica of his home Yankees pinstripes, signed in perfect black sharpie. Authenticating holographic sticker and matching certificate of authenticity are included. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Walter O'Malley Signed Baseball In December 1999, The Sporting News named O'Malley the eleventh most powerful figure in twentieth century sports. Brooklyn fans who saw the Dodgers owner lead the team into the sunset in 1958 may have perhaps agreed, but in a different light. In a famous incident, two Brooklyn reporters wrote a list of the three worst villains of the 20th century on a piece of paper to settle a discussion they were having over lunch. They each wrote the same three names, in the same order: Hitler, Stalin, Walter O'Malley. The offered ONL (Giles) ball is one of the rare few on earth to offer a signature from this controversial figure, a 9/10 blue ink beauty that shares space with Rube Marquard, Ford Frick and five others. A fan's inscription to his nephew is here as well. All signatures are equally strong. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Frank Baker Single Signed Baseball The great "Home Run" Baker is a notoriously tough single, with his playing days happening well before the kids really began chasing down autographs at the ballpark, and his death in 1963 predating the modern collecting craze by a considerable margin. We wish we knew the story behind the acquisition of this rarity, a very strong (8+/10) blue ink signature that has managed to find a safe home on a non-official ball with some staining and surface loss that doesn't dare encroach on the signature of the hard slugging Hall of Famer. All we know for sure is that there aren't too many of these out there, and your Hall of Fame singles collection has an empty space where this ball should be. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ty Cobb Single Signed Baseball Circa 1923 Acquired by a brave Michigan resident willing to approach the surly legend at Navin Field in Detroit, this OAL (Johnson) ball is one of the very earliest Cobb singles known in the hobby. As educated collectors are aware, any autograph dating from the playing days of the Georgia Peach is exceptionally scarce, but there could be no more than a tiny handful of single signed baseballs originating from the years before Cobb hung up his deadly spikes. We cannot recall the last time we saw another, if ever. In fact, the population of surviving singles from any player at all residing on baseballs from the American League presidential reign of Ban Johnson (1901-1927) is miniscule to say the least. The ball is evenly and attractively toned, with dark stamping. While the signature has lightened in the past eight decades, and is sealed with a swath of ancient shellac, it is still quite readily legible, and displays wonderfully. Further bolstering this vintage sphere's level of desirability is the lack of a personalization, as these are quite standard on the infinitely more common singles signed late in Cobb's life. An elite piece for the autograph collector who wishes to stand apart from the rest. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1924 Charles Comiskey Signed Baseball It's sad to think of some of the autographs that once appeared on this ball, now lost to the ravages of time. Penned on the famed 1924 Baseball Tour of Europe, the ghostly remains of signatures are just barely visible, but sadly no longer legible to the human eye. Perhaps John McGraw is here, or Hughie Jennings. You actually can make out Casey Stengel. But that tough old son of a gun Commy has held on like none other, signing in a bold black ink that still retains its deep tone to this day. A bit of wear has crossed it's path, but it's still quite prominent, almost displaying as a single at this point. And just imagine the hands that have held this ball before. Will yours be the next? LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hank Greenberg Single Signed Baseball The past few years have seen an explosion in demand for this hard-slugging Hall of Famer's autograph, and there seems to be no end in sight. As more and more of these rare singles find their way into permanent collections, the appearance on the auction block of fine specimens such as this one is destined to drop off dramatically. Don't miss your chance! This ONL (Feeney) ball boasts a perfect 10/10 sweet spot signature. The ball shows some mild foxing, but this does nothing to detract from the quality of the autograph. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1934 Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball from the Tour of Japan The "army brat" daughter of an American general stationed in the Philippines, Wanda Darlene Milliard had just one wish when her father asked how she'd like to spend her birthday -- she wanted to go to the ballpark in Manila and see Babe Ruth, who was appearing along with the biggest stars of Depression-era baseball on a leg of the famed 1934 Tour of Japan. By virtue of her American heritage, and her powerful parentage, young Ms. Milliard was afforded VIP status, and was brought down to the field to meet the Babe, who presented her with this priceless keepsake. The ONL (Heydler) baseball is inscribed in 9/10 blue ink, "To Wanda Darlene Milliard, Sincerely, Babe Ruth, Dec 12-1934." The ball itself is delicately and evenly toned, with no staining or damage. The very few artifacts to have surfaced from the Tour of Japan carry a heavy premium, making this gorgeous single a very special piece indeed. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball No fine baseball memorabilia collection is complete without a Ruth single, considered the Alpha and the Omega of the hobby. While a perfect, unpersonalized specimen could set you back upwards of $50,000, those still needing to feed and clothe their families might consider this fine alternative. The OAL (Harridge) ball, moderately toned to an attractive and even shade of beige, is inscribed the side panel, "To George J. Allen, From Babe Ruth." The condition of the Bambino's ink is impressively strong to this date, rating a very conservative 7/10. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Single Signed Baseball Collection (19). A great lot for the collector who wants to add some quality signatures to his holdings quickly. Each sweet spot signature is NRMT or better, and finds a home on the appropriate OAL or ONL ball. Acquired personally by a collector in the 1980's and 1990's. Mathews, Kell, Mize, Snider, Perry, Ryan, Musial, Reese, Rizzuto, Winfield, Wilhelm, Spahn, Drysdale, Hunter, Kaline, Feller, Boudreau, Killebrew and Sutton. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Joe DiMaggio & Mickey Mantle Single Signed Baseballs From 1936 through 1968, one of these two Hall of Famers tended to the center field of Yankee Stadium, offering millions of fans in the Bronx an encounter with true greatness. Now that they're both gone, we can remember them with these flawless 10/10 singles on OAL (Brown) balls. No collection could thrive without them. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Single Signed Baseball Collection (13) A baker's dozen of top quality singles, both in terms of the signers and of the autographs and balls themselves. Perfect sweet spot ink from Winfield, Reese, Perry, Seaver, Frank Robinson, Banks, Bench, Gomez, Drysdale, Mays, Brooks Robinson, Stargell and Puckett. All are on Official American or National League balls.LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Gil Hodges - Casey Stengel Signed Baseball Two legends of the New York baseball scene, each of these titans of the diamond gained early fame as a player on the Ebbets Field grass before graduating to New York Mets managerial duties. This ONL (Giles) ball offers a sweet spot Stengel autograph (7/10), with an equally strong inscription on the above panel reading, "To Dan, Best Wishes, Gil Hodges." Ball is lightly and evenly toned. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Curt Flood Signed Poster & Baseball Knowledgeable collectors understand just how tough signatures from this tragically departed All-Star are, and the offered items are almost off the charts in terms of rarity. It's particularly true of this large (24x36") Mint Sports Illustrated poster. Signed for a collector at the Long Beach autograph show, Flood declined at first, complaining that he had received no royalties for the piece. Finally he relented, after stating that he had never signed one before, and never would again. The blue sharpie autograph is Mint as well. We also offer a rare single signed baseball, finding is appropriate home on an ONL (White) ball. The sweet spot signature is 10/10. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA
Rose, Boggs and McGwire Single Signed Baseballs Get your Hall of Fame shopping done early, as none of these superstars is in Cooperstown yet, though all (probably) should be shortly. Wade and Big Mac are on OAL (Brown) balls, and you can bet that Pete's appearance on an ONL (Giamatti) ball greatly increases its value. All are 10/10 blue ink. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1934 Tour of Japan Team Signed Baseball with Ruth -Gehrig It was a story that had it all. Exotic locales, legendary athletes, international espionage. When the best of this nation's Major Leagues exploded onto the scene in the Land of the Rising Sun, the baseball world was changed forever. Relics from this groundbreaking event seven decades ago are among the most rare and desirable in the hobby, so this team signed OAL (Harridge) ball, featuring autographs from 20 participants, should be held in the utmost reverence. We'll begin with Ruth and Gehrig, fittingly adjacent on a side panel that they share with their Japanese translator Sataro Suzuki and Bob Schroder. The opposing side panel boasts Foxx, Averill, Miller, Mack, Whitehill and Gomez. The catcher and spy Moe Berg heads up the third side panel, joining Sascarella, O'Doul, Gehringer, Warstler, and Doc Ebling. McNair, Quinn, Brown and Hayes fill the fourth. In serendipitous fashion, the Hall of Fame signatures rank the highest in quality, with Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Averill, Mack and Gomez averaging 7/10, with none below a 6/10. The lesser stars are slightly the more worse for wear, though all are quite readily legible. The ball is lightly and evenly toned, with no staining or foxing to speak of. It is a piece such as this one that will set a fine collection apart from the rest. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Multi-Signed Baseball with Cobb, Foxx A dozen EX-MT or better ink signatures, and every last one of them comes from a legendary Hall of Famer. This OAL (Harridge) ball, likely signed at a Cooperstown event, offers high-grade autographs from Wahoo Sam Crawford, Ty Cobb, Mickey Cochrane, Jimmie Foxx, Carl Hubbell, Joe Cronin, Frank Baker, Lefty Grove, Ray Schalk, Tris Speaker, Charlie Gehringer and Paul Waner. The ball has toned with age to an attractive, even creamy shade, with perhaps the tiniest hint of foxing which certainly does absolutely nothing to detract from eye appeal. It's a truly impressive ball, sure to be a centerpiece of even the finest signed baseball collection. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1935 San Francisco Seals Team Signed Baseball with DiMaggio The future New York Yankees legend was just a 20-year old kid when he signed this thrilling Official Pacific Coast League baseball with 21 of his hometown teammates. The Yanks actually tried to get the young Clipper to join their ranks this season, but the Seals owner convinced Ed Barrow to wait a year. Too bad for the Yanks -- DiMaggio was absolutely electric in '35, earning Most Valuable Player honors with his .398 average in 172 games. He had 270 hits, 456 total bases, 34 homers, 48 doubles, 18 triples, 173 RBI, and stole 24 bases in 25 attempts. His autograph is a clean and solid 5/10, while former Big Leaguer and Seals player/manager Lefty O'Doul is 8/10 on the sweet spot. The balance of the signatures is contained within this range of quality. One of only a tiny handful of DiMaggio Seals balls on earth. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1938 Chicago Cubs Team Signed Baseball The National League Champs! Superstar pitcher Dizzy Dean was in his first season away from the St. Louis Cardinals club he led to the 1934 Championship, and his blue ink signature is one of the seventeen strong blue ink specimens to be found on this Official National League (Frick) ball. Joining him is fellow Hall of Famer and former Yank Tony Lazzeri, All-Star pitcher Bill Lee, Ripper Collins, Tex Carleton and Augie Galan. Signatures average a strong 7.5/10, with only a few lighter (and all easily legible). A tough pre-war N.L. Championship ball. LOA from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1939 Pittsburgh Pirates Team Signed Baseball Honus Wagner was on the coaching staff of this Pirates team and his black fountain ink signature is one of the twenty-six strong ink specimens to be found on this Official National League (Frick) ball that includes 5 HOF signatures. HOF manager Pie Traynor is on the sweetspot and joining him on this "prime real estate" is fellow Hall of Famer "Big Poison" Paul Waner. Other Hall of Famers include Heinie Manush, Arky Vaughan, and Waner brother "Little Poison" Lloyd Waner. Signatures average 5-6, with the key signatures as follows: Pie Traynor (5), Paul Waner (3), Lloyd Waner (7), Arky Vaughan (6), and Heinie Manush (7). A tough pre-war N.L. Championship ball. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1954 New York Yankees Team Signed Baseball Despite winning over 100 games during the regular season, the powerhouse Yanks couldn't wrest the pennant from the Cleveland Indians in one of the rare Octobers during the 1950's that saw the Bombers out of contention. Twenty-four blue ink signatures from this squad include the all-important Mantle, with Rizzuto, Ford, McDougald, Skowron, Sain and Slaughter nearby. Allie Reynolds is alone on the sweet spot. Signatures, including all mentioned, range from 6/10 to 8/10, with only two lesser names dropping a hair below. OAL (Harridge) ball is lightly and evenly toned. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1954 Brooklyn Dodgers Team Signed Baseball The Bums couldn't catch their uptown rival the Giants this season, finishing second in a tightly contested National League pennant chase. It's still basically the same as the team that would win it all in 1955 though, for which you could expect to pay several times the price of this one. Robinson, Hodges, Furillo, Reese, Snider, Campanella, Podres, Gilliam, Roe and Alston are among the 26 EX blue ink signatures that coat this "Dodgers" brand baseball. With such a large percentage of Dodgers balls from this era being the "clubhouse" variety, it's nice to know that only the Clem Labine autograph here is secretarial. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1957 Brooklyn Dodgers Team Signed Baseball Pristine ball from the Brooklyn Dodgers during their last season in New York before migrating with the New York Giants to the West Coast. In 1957, a marketing executive in a New York advertising agency was given two team signed baseballs for his son and daughter -- both radid Dodger fans. The balls were given to the exec by one Sal "The Barber" Maglie in appreciation for his idea of using "The Barber" in an advertising campaign for Remington electric shavers. Includes strong signatures from the following Hall of Famers: Walt Alston (sweetspot), Roy Campanella, Don Drysdale, Gil Hodges, Sandy Koufax, Pee Wee Reese, and Duke Snider. Other notables among the 25 blue ink signatures that cover this ONL (Giles) baseball include Roger Craig, Carl Erskine, Carl Furillo, Jim Gilliam, Clem Labine, Charley Neal, Sal Maglie, Don Newcombe, Rube Walker, and Don Zimmer. With such a large percentage of Dodgers balls from this era being the "clubhouse" variety, it's the rare exception that comes directly from a player and includes none of these secretarial examples. Signatures all rate 9-10 on this exceptional ball. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
New York Mets Team Signed Baseball Collection (6) Half a dozen team balls straight out of Shea, including the two Championship squads. The 1969 ONL (Feeney) ball offers 26 signatures, with Ryan and Seaver sharing the sweet spot, and Swoboda, Kranepool, McGraw, Agee, Koosman and the rest all in equivalent 8/10 to 10/10 quality. Ball is lightly to moderately toned. The 1986 ONL (Feeney) ball features Gooden, Carter, Orosco, Knight, Mookie and 27 more in NRMT blue ink. The balance of the balls represent each of the years 1987-1990. All are complete, NRMT, and on ONL balls. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1976 New York Yankees Team Signed Baseball with Munson The Bronx Bombers triumphantly returned to the World Series for the first time since 1964. Munson is the key signature on this OAL McPhail ball, and that year he would hit .475 in the postseason. Tons of legends here, beyond the essential, tragic Thurman Munson: Berra, Chambliss, Nettles, Lyle, Hunter, and Martin. Signature quality averages 8/10, with only a few lighter (Munson is 9/10). LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Multi-Signed Baseball Twenty-two Hall of Fame members, all deceased with the exception of Bob Feller, are represented well on this ONL (Giles) baseball. Includes the following signatures: Edd Roush (sweetspot), "Red" Ruffing, Max Carey, Ted Lyons, Frank Frisch, Bill Terry, Lloyd Waner, Casey Stengel, Bob Feller, Zach Wheat, Joe Cronin, Roy Campanella (secretarial), Stan Coveleski, Sam Rice, Lefty Grove, Earle Combs, Ford Frick, Waite Hoyt, Jesse Haines, Luke Appling, Bill Dickey, and Lou Boudreau. Signatures rate a conservative 6-8. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1970 Pittsburgh Pirates Team Signed Baseball Basically the same team that would win it all in 1971. And with talent like this, how could they have possibly missed in 1970? This ONL (Feeney) balls bears testament to the star power housed in the Forbes Field dugout that season: Clemente, Stargell, Mazeroski, Ellis, Pena, Matty Alou and sixteen more. While the signatures have lightened somewhat over time, they are still in the easily legible realm of 5/10 to 7/10 in quality. A fine specimen. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1978 Hall of Famers Multi-Signed Baseball Acquired by a very thorough fan and autograph collector at the Cooperstown ceremonies of 1978, an amazing twenty-two legendary signatures fill every inch of this OAL (Feeney) ball. Ruffing, Lindstrom, Lloyd Waner, Judy Johnson, Lopez, Cronin, Grimes, Conlon, Coveleski, Kiner, Feller, Kelly, Roberts, Musial, Banks, Gehringer, Spahn, Campanella (secretarial), Sewell, Bell and Leonard. Spahn and Feller are in a different ink than the rest, and a little light, but the balance of the autographs have remained in very strong EX-MT+ condition. The autograph collector has made the notation "Hall of Fame 1978" to mark the event for posterity. So much talent, all in the palm of your hand. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Don Larsen Perfect Game Signed Baseball with Mantle This OAL (Brown) ball offers NRMT blue ink signatures from seven of New York's finest that had a hand in Don Larsen's 1956 World Series heroics. Larsen is on the 'sweet spot' of course, with a "1956 WS" inscription. Mickey Mantle stands alone on a side panel while Duke Snider's post-signature inscription "0-3, 1956," making note of his own stats from Larsen's perfect game. Gil McDougald, Whitey Ford, Hank Bauer and Mel Allen round out this fine ball. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1984 Chicago Cubs & 1984 National League All-Star Team Signed Baseballs (2) Two great team balls from the year that George Orwell made famous. The Cubs ball offers twenty-seven signatures on an ONL (Feeney), including Sandberg and Lee Smith. Only the Frey is clubhouse, and the signatures average a strong 8/10. The All-Star ball is clubhouse-free, and features McCovey, Carter, Ozzie Smith, Schmidt and Gwynn. ONL (Feeney) rates an equally strong 8/10. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1990 American & National League All-Star Team Signed Baseballs The National League managed only two hits in this 2-0 loss in the Midsummer Classic, but you can't complain too much about a team like this. The National League ball holds 29 signatures including Ozzie Smith, Gwynn, Bonds, Marichal and Dennis Martinez. The victorious American Leaguer ball has 25 signatures including Eckersley, Ripken, McGwire, Robinson and Griffey, Jr. Each ONL (White) sphere is a perfect 10/10. The best of the best of the best. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1998 and 1999 New York Yankees Team Signed Baseballs (2) Back to back World Series Champions (and they'd do it again in 2000!). Representing one of the greatest dynasties in baseball history, the Yanks appear on two top-quality balls. The 1998 ball contains twenty-one signatures including Cone, Pettitte, Wells, El Duke, Torre, O'Neill, Williams and Martinez (no Jeter). The Official World Series ball is numbered two of a limited edition of ninety-eight. Signatures are EX-MT to NRMT. The 1999 ball includes twenty-two signatures including Brosius, Martinez, Rivera, Cone, El Duke, Williams and Torre (no Jeter). The OAL (Budig) DiMaggio memorial ball features NRMT-MT signatures. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1954 New York Giants Team Signed Baseball Glory finally returns to the Polo Grounds. From Willie's famed "Catch" in Game One, to the final out of Game Four, the Giants absolutely dominated the overmatched Cleveland Indians this October, sweeping Chief Wahoo in simple fashion. This historic ONL (Giles) ball offers 28 strong (8+/10) blue ink signatures, including Mays, Irvin and Wilhelm. Durocher on the sweet spot is a stamp, as is typical of most of the Giants balls of the era. Still, a particularly strong example of this essential World Championship sphere. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1955 New York Giants Team Signed Baseballs (2) A pair of ONL (Giles) balls represent a team that had changed very little from its Championship season a year earlier. Offering 26 and 27 signatures respectively, both have Mays (though one is clubhouse) and Wilhelm, with one featuring Irvin as well. Durocher on each is a stamp, as was typical of the day. Signatures are strong 8+/10, and balls are evenly toned with age. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1957 & 1963 New York/San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (2) The last New York squad is featured on the first offered ONL (Giles) ball, with 25 signatures including Mays and Walters. Average autograph is 7/10. The Rigney signature, as is typical, is a stamp. The 1963 ball offers 25 signatures on a Giles ball, including Mays, Perry, Marichal, McCovey and Cepeda. A strong 9/10 specimen, with a stamped Dark autograph. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1965 & 1966 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (3) Mays, McCovey and Marichal all appear in blue ink on these three ONL (Giles) balls offering 28 (1965) and 23 (both 1966's) respectively. The '65 ball rates a 6/10, while the '66 balls are stronger at 8/10 to 9/10. The Franks sweet spot autographs are stamps, as was typical for the day. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1967 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (3) Super-dark signatures on all three of these ONL (Giles) balls offering signatures from Mays, McCovey, Marichal and Perry, with twenty-five total autographs on each. All three have the typical stamped Franks autograph. Each ball rates an easy 8/10 to 9/10. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1970 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (4) One ONL (Feeney) and three ONL (Giles) balls feature between 21 and 26 members of the '70 squad. Each has McCovey and Marichal, and three of the four feature Perry as well. Sadly, all the Mays signatures are clubhouse, as are the three Fox signatures present. Condition is quite strong overall however, ranging from 6/10 to 9/10, with most autographs at the upper end of the scale. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1971 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (2) Pair of ONL (Feeney) balls offer 16 signatures each (average 7/10), with McCovey and Perry on each, and Marichal on one of the two. Unfortunately, the Mays autographs are clubhouse, as was quite typical of the time. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1972 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (3) Two ONL (Feeney) and one ONL (Giles) ball offer either 21 or 22 dark blue ink autographs. Sadly, many of the keys are clubhouse, leaving a single McCovey and a couple of Marichals the notables left behind. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1973 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (3) Offering either 24 or 25 signatures on an ONL (Feeney) or ONL (Giles) ball, these '73 specimens fail to disappoint. Rating 7/10 to 9/10 in signature quality, each features a genuine Marichal and McCovey, with only the typical sweet spot fox having clubhouse roots. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1976 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (4) Four very strong specimens of the '76 team, offering twenty-seven to thirty signatures per ball. Ken Reitz is present on each of them, though the sweet spot Rigneys are clubhouse, as is typical. All are ONL (Feeney) balls. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1979, 1980, 1981 & 1982 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (8) A heaping helping of eight team signed balls, all finding a home on ONL (Feeney) spheres, and ranging from 20 to 24 signatures each. The overall signature quality is very strong, with only a couple dropping below a solid 7/10 or better average. While the Robinsons and Breinings are clubhouse on all, and Mays and McCovey are also ghost signed where they appear, the Joe Morgans are authentic, as are the vast majority of the balance. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1983 & 1984 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (8) Clubhouse Robinsons on five of the balls, and Craig and Davis on one, are the only problems with this very nice assortment of ONL (Feeney) offerings from the 1982 and 1983 seasons. All fall solidly into the EX range, with moderate toning and easily legible autographs, ranging from 20 to 24 per ball. Will Clark and Al Oliver are among the notable names. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1986 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (8) Eight is enough? Not when the San Francisco Giants are involved! We expect that West Coast dealers will be vying for this hefty selection of ONL (Feeney) balls ranging from the fine (6/10) to the sublime (9/10). Quinones is found on four, Clark on three, Carlton on one. All the Craig autographs are clubhouse, as is typical. All offer between 20 and 26 signatures. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1987 & 1988 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (6) A lower quality (2/10) 1987 ball with 27 signatures is joined by five strong (8/10 average) 1988 specimens offering between 25 and 28 autographs. Three of the latter balls have Phil Garner among the signatures, and all have clubhouse Roger Craig sig's. Each ball is ONL (Giamatti). LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1989 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (3) Not a single clubhouse signature to be found on this trio of balls from the '89 squad. All are on ONL (Giamatti) balls, with 26 or 27 autographs total. Gossage is the prime example here, and signatures range from 7/10 to 10/10 in quality. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1990 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (6) Gary Carter reigns supreme on half a dozen ONL (White) balls bearing between 23 and 29 signatures from the mighty Giants. Half have clubhouse Craigs, but otherwise all the signatures are the genuine article. You can't complain about the quality either, as the average is a strong 8.5/10. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1992 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (4) All ONL (White) balls offer between 26 and 32 signatures. Two have clubhouse Roger Craig signatures. Signatures range from 8/10 to 10/10. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1996 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (13) You say you were just wishing that you had 13 1996 Giants baseballs? What a happy coincidence! A baker's dozen of ONL (Coleman) balls should drive the dealers crazy. All offer signature counts in the mid to high-20s, and quality is high across the board. Four of the six Bonds signatures here are clubhouse, leaving two Bonds (and the several hundred others) the genuine article. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.

These Giants team baseballs come from a source that worked with the organization from the 1950's to the 1990's and and the clubhouse signatures listed in the descriptions are the opinions of the authenticators.
1997 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (5) Flawless, top to bottom, in every way. These five ONL (Coleman) balls offer either 28 or 29 signatures each, with one featuring the great Barry Bonds himself (often missing on team balls). We spotted only one signature that wasn't a perfect 10/10 (and no, it wasn't Bonds). LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1997 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (5) Four Barry Bonds here, and all of them are good. Not a single clubhouse signature has found its way onto these ONL (Coleman) balls, offering anywhere from 21 to 28 perfect 10/10 signatures each. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1998 & 1999 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseball Collection (4) Each offers a Barry Bonds autograph, and not a single one is clubhouse. Four ONL (Coleman) balls offer signature counts in the low to mid-20, with not a single autograph dipping below perfection. A fantastic opportunity for a dealer, or for two buddies to go in "half-sies" and take one of each year. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
2000 San Francisco Giants Team Signed Baseballs (3) Three strong specimens feature the great Dusty Baker on the sweet spot, with not a single clubhouse signature invited. Each OML ball offers 18 8/10 or better autographs. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Five Decades of St. Louis Cardinals Team Signed Baseballs (18) Here's one for the die-hard Cardinals fans, a vast assortment dating from 1952 through 1995 that will take your collection from zero to 80 miles an hour in the snap of a finger. Balls will be listed by: year, signature count, keys, signature quality on a scale of ten. All are on the proper ONL balls of the era. (1) 1952, 22, Musial - Slaughter - Carey, 6. (2) 1966, 23, Brock - Carlton, 5. (3) 1971, 25, Brock - Gibson - Torre - Carlton - Boyer, 3. (4) 1976, 25, Brock - Simmons, 4. (5) 1977, 24, Brock - Simmons, 6. (6) 1977, 25, Brock - Simmons, 5. (7) 1978, 17, Brock, 1. (8) 1980, 15, Schoendienst, 2. (9) 1980, 22, Bonds - Simmons, 4. (10-11) 1984, 24, Ozzie Smith - Sutter, 5. (12-14) 1986, 18, Ozzie Smith - Schoendienst, 5. (15) 1988, 24, Bob Horner, 9. (16-18) 1995, 24, Ozzie Smith - Schoendienst, 7. Four of the balls have clubhouse versions of Herzog's autograph, otherwise all are genuine. A great dealer's lot as well. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1934 American League Players Multi-Signed Bat Presented to Mickey Cochrane It's unclear if this was a gift to welcome the Hall of Fame catcher to the Detroit Tigers, or to congratulate him for his crowning as American League M.V.P., though we'd have to assume it's the latter. We know this much for certain--this sizable club, looking more like something wielded by a caveman than a ballplayer, was presented to Cochrane at Tiger Stadium after having been signed by over 100 American League ballplayers, including many of the teammates that helped bring the pennant to the Motor City. While the black ink has bled into the porous surface of the lightweight wood that makes up this bat, the vast majority are still quite clearly legible, and include Gehrig, Walter Johnson, Lazzeri, Al Simmons, Cronin, Lyons, Greenberg, Gehringer, Combs, Hornsby, Gomez, Dickey, Averill, Manush, Ruffing, Appling, Mack, Rick Ferrell and scores more. "Tigers 1934" makes up the amateurish, hand drawn trademark. Various nicks and scratches freckle the surface of the bat, but few signatures are meaningfully affected by this, and none of the keys. The bat measures thirty-six inches in length. Included in the lot is a letter from the woman who acquired this one of a kind piece directly from the Cochrane estate. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Babe Ruth Signed Bat from Ruth Family Friend With the scarcity and desirability of Babe Ruth signed bats so extreme, it is always a thrill to find the genuine article in the sea of forgeries. This gorgeous specimen derives from the estate of Maxine "Miki" Herzberg-Fisher, a longtime friend of the Ruth family. Several other Ruth items from the Herzberg-Fisher estate have reached the marketplace in recent years, though none could hold a candle to this historic hardwood in terms of quality or value. The Spalding store model Frank M. Schulte (early home run king) bat offers what is surely among the very strongest signatures from Ruth on a bat conservatively rated 9 out of 10, reading, "To Miki, From Babe Ruth." The handsome 31.5", 26 ounce bat exhibits an especially rich, pleasing wood finish and is accompanied by extensive documentation in addition to PSA/DNA, including a photo of Miki with the Ruths, a copy of "Babe" sheet music signed and inscribed "My Darling Miki, Sincerely, Claire Ruth," and a photo of Maxine "Miki" Fisher's tombstone, establishing that Miki was indeed Maxine. The combination of signature boldness and unassailable provenance makes this a titan of the autograph collecting world. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Willie Mays and Duke Snider Signed Cooperstown Bat Collection (3) These three bats pay tribute to the Polo Grounds (two bearing perfect blue sharpie signatures from Mays), and Ebbets Field (offering the same from Snider). Note that these are the rare and desirable "Ring and Stripe" style, especially scarce due to legal action from Rawlings that caused the Cooperstown Bat Co. to cease use of the design. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Single Signed Cooperstown Bat Collection (10) Prized by collectors for their fine beauty and craftsmanship, these commemorative bats created in the shadow of the Baseball Hall of Fame are a favorite among autograph collectors, who love the challenge of completing a set. This is the "Famous Players Series #91" set, offering perfect blue sharpie signatures from Reese, Banks, Yaz, Ted Williams, Berra, Musial, Frank Robinson, Snider, Schmidt and Bench. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Single Signed Cooperstown Bat Collection (8) This is the "Famous Players Series #73" set, offering perfect blue sharpie signatures from Reese, Banks, Yaz, Musial, Frank Robinson, Snider, Schmidt and Bench. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Multi-Signed Cooperstown Bat Prized by collectors for their fine beauty and craftsmanship, these commemorative bats created in the shadow of the Baseball Hall of Fame are a favorite among collectors, who love the challenge of adding as many names as they can. This fine specimen paying tribute to the Baseball Hall of Fame is signed by 24 of its residents in perfect blue sharpie: Kell, Appling, McCovey, Killebrew, Snider, Slaughter, Musial, Mathews, Mize, Boudreau, Feller, Reese, Conlan, Chandler, Gomez, Yaz, Stargell, Hunter, Brock, Frank and Brooks Robinson, Drysdale, Irvin and Banks. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Pee Wee Reese Single Signed Cooperstown Bat Prized by collectors for their fine beauty and craftsmanship, these commemorative bats created in the shadow of the Baseball Hall of Fame are a favorite among autograph collectors, who love the challenge of getting them signed. This one offers a perfect blue sharpie signature from the Hall of Fame Brooklyn Bum. Note that this is the rare and desirable "Ring and Stripe" style, especially scarce due to legal action from Rawlings that caused the Cooperstown Bat Co. to cease use of the design. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ernie Banks Signed Cooperstown Co. Bat Collection (3). These four identical bats pay tribute to the park Banks called home, Wrigley Field. Each is signed in perfect blue sharpie. Note that these are the rare and desirable "Ring and Stripe" style, especially scarce due to legal action from Rawlings that caused the Cooperstown Bat Co. to cease use of the design. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Williams, Yastrzemski & Boggs Signed Cooperstown Bat Collection (3) These three identical bats pay tribute to the famed Boston ballpark. Each is signed in perfect sharpie by one of the men who made magic in Beantown. Note that these are the rare and desirable "Ring and Stripe" style, especially scarce due to legal action from Rawlings that caused the Cooperstown Bat Co. to cease use of the design. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cooperstown Bat Co. Stadium Series Bat Collection (6) Prized by collectors for their fine beauty and craftsmanship, these commemorative bats created in the shadow of the Baseball Hall of Fame are a favorite among collectors, who love the challenge of completing a set. This is the "Stadium Series" set, offering gorgeous mementos of Shibe Park, Forbes Field, Sportsman's Park, Briggs/Tigers Stadium, Comiskey Park and Ebbets Field. Note that the Shibe bat is the rare and desirable "Ring and Stripe" style, especially scarce due to legal action from Rawlings that caused the Cooperstown Bat Co. to cease use of the design.
Cooperstown Bat Co. Yankee Stadium Collection (4) Prized by collectors for their fine beauty and craftsmanship, these commemorative bats created in the shadow of the Baseball Hall of Fame are a favorite among collectors, who love the challenge of completing a set. These four identical bats pay tribute to the holiest of baseball ground. Note that these are the rare and desirable "Ring and Stripe" style, especially scarce due to legal action from Rawlings that caused the Cooperstown Bat Co. to cease use of the design.
New York Mets Signed Bat Collection (9). Mets fans and dealers rejoice -- this lot should prove very tempting to those who love Shea and those who love eBay. 1) Howard Johnson gamer, light use, signature. 2) Gary Carter gamer bat, light use, inscription: "Best Wishes & God Bless Always, Gary Carter." 3) Wally Backman gamer, light use, inscription: "Best Wishes, Wally Backman." 4) Dave Magadan gamer, light use, signature. 5) Dwight Gooden game model, signature. 6) Darryl Strawberry game model, signature. 7) Ray Knight game model, inscription: "Ray Knight, 1986 World Series MVP" 8) Ulti-Met Week multi-signed bat with 25 signatures including McGraw, Koosman, Stottlemyre, Dyer, Grote and more. Cracked handle. 9) Cooperstown Bat Co. bat with 20-plus signatures including those on previous listed bat. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1986 New York Mets Championship Bat Collection (3) Remember the glory forever with these three bats related to that fabled season. 1) Ray Knight game used signature model Louisville Slugger C271. Strong use. Inscribed "Best Wishes, Ray Knight" in strong blue sharpie. 2) Lenny Dykstra game used Louisville Slugger M110. Moderate use. Signed in strong blue sharpie, "Lenny 'Nails' Dykstra." 3) 1986 World Championship presentational black bat. NRMT. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Mark McGwire Single Signed Bat The 1987 American League Rookie of the Year offers his early, and more desirable, black ink signature on the barrel of this Rawlings Big Stick just like the ones he used in his start with the Oakland A's. Strong black ink reads, "Mark McGwire, HR #39, 8-14-87." From a limited run of 49, the number of home runs he hit to lead the league that amazing first season. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Miscellaneous Collectibles
1887-1888 N28 & N29 Allen & Ginter Collection (6) The beautiful Victorian graphics that make the Allen & Ginters such collector favorites have not faded a bit in their appeal or quality since they were printed well over a century ago. Offered here are J.H. McLaughlin (Wrestler), James Albert, W.J. Barry, C.W.V. Clarke, H.G. Crocker and Percy Stone. All are the the first to be graded by Global, and, with their impressive NM+ 7.5 marks that they all share, would certainly be at the top of their ranks even if the population were much higher. This lot contains 1 N28 and 5 N29 cards. A fine start at a high-grade collection.
Baseball Cards
1888 N43 Allen & Ginter Wm. Ewing GAI EX-MT 6 One of the most fearsome batters of the nineteenth century, Buck Ewing earned a World Championship for his New York Giants the year that this gorgeous card rolled off the printing press. Well over a century later, the Hall of Fame multi-position legend looks basically just as he did back in the day, with his handlebar mustached-face unmarred by even the slightest bit of wear. Surrounding him are three sharp corners (with just a light touch on the fourth), and the edges and centering are superb. Without the small stain at the bottom of the verso, we'd surely see a decent increase in the still-impressive grade this one was given.
1888 N29 Allen & Ginter Buck Ewing GAI NM-MT 8 Global Authentication Inc. makes note on its header that this is the first such Buck Ewing specimen they have graded, and they certainly broke the ice with this extraordinary example. Printed in a season that saw the Hall of Fame catcher lead his New York Giants to a World Championship, this rare representation presents a strong Near Mint to Mint throughout with a bold image of Ewing and showing very little wear considering its 116 years on Earth.
1888 E223 G&B Chewing Gum Jimmy Ryan Portrait This exceptional rarity derives from the first baseball card issued with candy or gum, and the only such issue of the 19th century. Consider that while over 33,000 T-206's, dating from a decade into the 20th century, have been graded by PSA, only a single G&B card has ever been slabbed by the service. We'd suggest you double the population with this specimen, showing very strong eye appeal with fine edges, corners and surface (with the exception of a tiny bit of paper loss at the lower right corner). The verso shows mild to moderate foxing, but none of the common glue or tape stains seen from the few cards from this era. Ryan was a notable star of the era, leading the league in hits, doubles, home runs and total bases the year this card was issued.
1895 Mayo's Cut Plug N300 Buck Ewing SGC VG/EX 50 The Hall of Famer did it all the year this card hit the smoke shops, filling in as a catcher, pitcher, first and third baseman, a shortstop, and an outfielder. Rounded corners and worn edges leave this card with a dignified patina, but nothing that could be considered damage. Only one card submitted to SGC has ever graded higher.
1895 Mayo's Cut Plug N300 Hugh Duffy SGC VG 40 The Hall of Fame outfielder batted .440 the year before this card was pulled from a pack of tobacco. In the ensuing century, it has held up quite nicely, with only two ever ranking higher on SGC's charts. Only the expected edge and corner wear suggests the rarity's advanced age.
1895 Mayo's Cut Plug N300 Jack Glasscock SGC EX 60 Pebbly Jack was considered the best shortstop in history until the arrival of Honus Wagner, and he certainly looks impressive on the face of this rare and particularly strong specimen of the coveted N300. Rounded corners and light edge wear put this card near the top of the very few available to grade. Only two have been deemed finer.
1895 Mayo's Cut Plug N300 Dan Brouthers SGC EX 60 Another early, early Hall of Famer, who broke into the professional game in 1879. The superstar first baseman was quite the veteran when he posed for the marvelous studio shot that dominates the front of this high grade card. Only a single specimen has ever received a higher grade from SGC.
1895 Mayo's Cut Plug N300 John Ward SGC VG 40 The first great New York City baseball superstar. Fabulous representation of the Hall of Fame Giants' N300 is a Victorian era jewel, with a fantastic photographic image set on a dignified black background. Sure, there is edge and corner wear, but this is a Hall of Fame card just short of 11 decades old! How many of your friends have one of these?
1911 T205 Gold Border Eddie Collins Open Mouth PSA EX 5 Just like the Hall of Fame Athletic, your jaw will drop when you get a look at this gorgeous rarity, and marvel at how a card approaching the century mark could have survived in such wonderful condition. Touches at the corners and a single tiny red dot on verso are the only detractions, as the face is clean, clear, and basically flawless.
1911 T206 High Grade Collection of PSA NM-MT 8. Lot of 4 Only about one in 20 T206's submitted to PSA are returned in holders bearing the number 8. We offer four to you today: Jerry Downs (from the Harris Collection), Shad Barry Milwaukee, Rudy Hulswitt, and Jack Knight with Bat. True, none is a superstar, but the artwork is still fabulous, and the condition is just astounding.
1911 T206 Ty Cobb Portrait (Red) Old Mill Reverse SGC EX 60 It's a favorite of many collectors of this most beloved of tobacco card issues. The "Georgia Peach" looks so young and innocent, though the blood red background that frames him suggests the fierce, sometimes violent nature that made him the greatest star of the Dead Ball Era. Judged solely on the surface and image itself, there are few specimens that could compete with this one in terms of quality. It is only the typical light corner rounding and all but imperceptible toning to the verso that brings this representation down to earth. A solid purchase for the tobacco card enthusiast.
1911 T206 Rube Waddell Portrait PSA Mint 9 Quality so unexpectedly strong that it's startling. How could this card possibly exist? Of well in excess of 32,000 submissions of this fabled tobacco set, fewer than 200 have achieved the ranking of Mint 9. And this is the one and only Waddell Portrait of 130 submissions to have claimed the prized status. The image of the somewhat mentally unbalanced Hall of Fame pitcher is so clear and crisp that it borders on photographic. The borders and verso are ghostly white, and the corners are deadly. Sourced from the famous Harris Collection of ultra-high grade tobacco cards.
1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder PSA Mint 9 No superlative seems suitably appropriate for a card such as this, a monumentally valuable and impressive piece as rare as a lightning strike on a lottery winner. With fewer than 200 of the well over 30,000 T206's encased in PSA holders bearing a Mint 9 header, and half of this issue grading lower than PSA 5, collectors have been trained to believe that ultra-high quality cards from this most beloved of tobacco issues simply don't exist. And for the most part, they're correct. In 1911, the probable date of this card's birth, Tyrus Raymond Cobb was at the apex of his considerable powers. His league-leading numbers that season are just ridiculous: .420 average, 248 hits, 47 doubles, 24 triples, 127 RBIs, 83 stolen bases! Despite his vicious temperament that likely kept him out of the running other seasons, the American League had no choice but to crown him Most Valuable Player, the only season he was honored as such. Look closely at the image of the Peach, painted close to a century ago, and you can see it in his eyes. Though he stands before a serene background of soft pastel, the stare is one of great determination, the look of whatever it is that was fundamentally different about players like Cobb and Rose that made the thought of failure for them almost too much to bear. It's one of the finest portraits in the long and impressive history of baseball card art. Extending outward from this classic image, we come to four blazing white borders, turning at corners as sharp as they were when the card was slipped into an ancient pack of smokes. The verso is similarly fine, again bearing not even the toning one would expect from any paper product of this vintage, let alone any stains or printing errors. The grade of PSA 9 for a card as desirable as this one may seem a surprise, but close examination will certainly convince any collector that it could merit nothing less. In fact, the only surprise lies in the fact that there is, in fact, one other such card on earth that has gained a Mint 9 designation. This is one of two, and none other ever has, or certainly ever could, grade higher.
1915 Cracker Jack George Stovall #11 PSA NM-MT 8. "Firebrand" closed out his 12-season professional baseball career the year this card was released as a member of the rogue Federal League, where he operated as a player/manager. Almost 90 years later, so few specimens of this card remain that only 35 have passed through the offices of PSA. And of that rare breed, only a single specimen has graded higher. Its perfect centering, clean surfaces and sharp corners lead us to wonder how this one missed that PSA 9 grade.
1915 Cracker Jack Connie Mack #12 SGC NM/MT 88 The grand old gentleman was in the midst of the worst year of his life when this card was issued. After winning four pennants and three Series in five years, the Athletics were crippled when the Federal League entered the picture in 1915, completely changing the player salary market. Mack was forced to sell everybody, and, in a single season, went from first to worst in the American League. The only thing that could make him feel better is how well he's held up over the past 90 years, as this card is an absolute marvel of anti-aging technology. Perfect corners, surfaces and even centering make this one of only two Mack Jacks to make this grade, with only a single representation higher.
1915 Cracker Jack John Evers #18 SGC NM/MT+ 92 The Top of the "Pops." In fact, the next strongest Evers Cracker Jack on SGC's registry is just an 86. This singularly spectacular specimen from the Hall of Fame infielder best remembered as part of the Chicago Cubs storied double play trio, seems to have emerged just yesterday from a time machine, at which point it was delicately placed into its plastic holder for safe-keeping. A single off-white area, no larger than a match head, on the border is offered as the only impediment between this card and utter perfection. Still, the best one around.
1915 Cracker Jack Chief Bender #19 SGC NM/MT 88 Yet another in our assembly of ultra-high grade Cracker Jack cards for your enjoyment. The Bender story is really one of the least appreciated in baseball lore -- somehow this great talent, one of the finest pitchers of the Dead Ball era, has flown under the radar while others of lesser talent have garnered more attention. We intend to change that with this truly remarkable card dating from the Championship Philadelphia Athletics star's defection to the upstart Federal League. Whereas we were able to search out a microscopic speck of misplaced printing ink on the Cobb Cracker Jack that could possibly explain its grading as low as SGC 88, our most diligent search for a similar defect fails here.
1915 Cracker Jack Charles Comiskey #23 SGC NM+ 86 His tight-fistedness was legendary, and most baseball historians agree that it was the prime catalyst that birthed the plot by his players to throw the 1919 Series. Hero or villain, he's one of the most important figures of the Dead Ball era, and as such is properly represented in this classic set. While equal to the other Jacks offered in our high-grade collection, the white areas of Commy's card are toned half a shade darker, which is the likely cause of a grade as low as an 86. In every other regard, it is certainly as strong as our offered 88's. Still, only a single card has ever graded higher.
1915 Cracker Jack George Mullen #24 SGC NM/MT+ 92 Another one of one card from our offering of high-grade Jacks. And again, there is essentially nothing to report when one searches for anything to write other than yet another ode to the piece's perfection. With perfect borders, corners, surface, verso, edges, a lengthy explication of this Federal League pitcher's card becomes pointless. The finest on the market, and possibly even worthy of a resubmission for a higher grade.
1915 Cracker Jack William Carrigan #27 PSA NM 7. It's only poor centering that topples this Bill Carrigan card from the heights it would attain with equal borders. Otherwise it's as pure as the driven snow, with sharp corners, clean edges and smooth, unmarked surfaces. A fine card from this life-long Red Sock.
1915 Cracker Jack Vean Gregg #29 PSA NM-MT 8. Again, only a single card could top this one in PSA's population report. Perhaps it's the slightest bit of color bleed into the borders, and the slightly askew centering that puts this one in second place, but this is one of the prettiest silver medalists you'll ever see. This guy shared pitching duties with a kid named Ruth the season this card was issued.
1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb #30 SGC NM/MT 88 It's that song. "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks." Who could think of that sticky-sweet snack without the instant mental association to our national pastime? It's impossible. One thing's for certain though -- that sticky sweetness was a poor bedfellow of baseball cards, leaving a good percentage of them coated with gooey spots. Such is not the case here. Perhaps Cobb and sweetness just couldn't possibly go together. Despite the approaching of the card's 90th birthday, there is not a single difference between its appearance now, and its appearance as it slid off the printing press and was sliced to its 2.25" x 3" size. Any so-called "defects" are due solely to the antiquated procedures used in its production, namely the slightly off-balance centering, the few specks of red background paint that edges onto the white borders, and a small darker spot of ink in the red area. The corners are beyond reproach, the surface silky-smooth, the back without a single dot of ink out of place. Only a single card has ever achieved a higher ranking from SGC, and just one more has tied this one. Suffice it to say that this is one of the most rare and desirable Cobb cards on earth.
1915 Cracker Jack Charles Dooin #38 SGC NM/MT 88 Despite being listed as a member of the "Cincinnati - Nationals" at the base of this card, it's noteworthy that "Red" only appeared in ten games for the Reds, as the team proved to be just a brief stop-over between the Phillies and the Giants. One of only two cards to receive an SGC 88 grade, though its perfect corners, edges, surface and verso leads us to wonder why it doesn't stand alone.
1915 Cracker Jack Fred Luderus #45 SGC NM/MT+ 92 The Phillies first baseman was second in the National League in average the year this card was issued, making it a favorite among young collectors that season. This particular card certainly saw no involvement with those young collectors however, as the surface, corners, edges, verso, even the centering are pure, unadulterated perfection. Get this one re-graded! Only a single representation has ever topped this one, but this one might best all comers.
1915 Cracker Jack Fred Clarke #70 SGC NM/MT 88 Perhaps having athletes like Honus Wagner under your command makes the job a little easier, but it still took talent to manage the Pirates to four National League flags and a World Series Championship. Strong corners and outstanding color help this example jump off the page and leave just a single card in the history of SGC to rise above its NM/MT 88 stature. A very tough card from this early Cooperstonian.
1915 Cracker Jack Derrill Pratt #93 SGC NM 84 Corner touches on this St. Louis Browns star's card can be forgiven -- after all, how many 90-year-olds do you know that look this good? The surfaces remain in terrific condition, and even the centering is 45/55 at worst. Only one Del Pratt Cracker Jack has ever graded higher.
1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson #103 SGC NM 84. It was 1915, the year that this gorgeous card rolled off the assembly line, that saw one the game's greatest hitters ever, traded from Cleveland to Charles Comiskey's Chicago squad. Very few players truly transcend the game. Immortalized here is the legend of Joe Jackson. Here he still wears the cap of Cleveland, his trusty Black Betsy gripped tightly in his calloused farm boy hands, emblazoned against the scarlet background of this beautiful issue. The eye appeal of this card is stunning in every detail, just as the folks at Cracker Jack had envisioned when they produced these astonishing specimens, the most aesthetically pleasing baseball card set of all time. This classic ranks as the second finest such card ever to pass through the SGC service. In the same condition as it was the day it was produced and mint is all aspects, the technical grade dips to Near Mint because of the left to right centering. Yet this specimen displays even better than its impressive Near-Mint designation would suggest with four sharp corners, flawless registration, and bright, bold coloring. This item was undoubtedly obtained through the mail-in promotion, as it is totally void of the sticky candy extract and shows no signs of circulation. To make a long story short, this is a magnificent example of one of the toughest high grade singles in the hobby.
1915 Cracker Jack Owen Wilson #148 SGC NM/MT 88 The Pirates outfielder shared World Championship glory with teammate Honus Wagner in 1909. Wilson also only shares the quality of this 1915 Cracker Jack with one other specimen, as a single card has ever graded higher on SGC's charts. Otherwise, like this card's compatriots offered in this auction, it's as if the ninety years since its birth never occurred.
1915 Cracker Jack William James #153 SGC NM/MT+ 92 He was coming off a league-leading 26-7 record in 1914, the year this card was produced, and though his career seems to have taken a downturn immediately afterward, the same could not be said about this card. With centering a hair skewed to the right being the only flaw, it's quite easy to see why not a single Bill James card has ever graded higher, and just one shares this vaunted designation of SGC 92.
1915 Cracker Jack Richard Rudolph #154 SGC NM/MT+ 92 "Baldy" posted a 22-19 record this season on the mound for the Boston Nationals. Again, all we could possibly mention in terms of negatives would be the 60/40 centering of this magnificent and rare card. Otherwise, the corners, edges, surface and verso are all remarkably perfect for this card's advanced age. Hard to believe that another card shares its SGC 92 designation, though easy to accept that none has ever graded higher.
1915 Cracker Jack Robert Shawkey #164 SGC NM/MT+ 92 One of the game's great early pitchers, Bob Shawkey closed out his career in the dugout with the Babe, throwing his last pitches as a member of the immortal '27 Yanks. This is one of only two such cards to reside in an SGC 92 slab, and the most delicate touch on the lower left corner seems to be the reason that it does not stand alone atop them all.
1915 Cracker Jack Edward Murphy #165 SGC NM/MT 88 "Honest Eddie" entered the game under the tutelage of the great Connie Mack, for whom he played a strong outfield before being traded to the Chicago White Sox, where he remained through the scandalous 1919 season. It is possible, not definite, that a pin head-sized spot in the upper border is candy-related, and the borders are not quite even. Other than that, the card is in simply spectacular condition, with only one ever grading higher.
1920 Tex Rickard Babe Ruth Headin' Home - Batting Close-Up PSA Good 2 We'll have to see if it's a card collector or a memorabilia collector who chases this lot to the end, as it holds strong appeal for both. Scholars of 1920's Golden Age of Sport are certainly familiar with the man who printed these cards -- Rickard was the "Don King" of his day, and more. This fantastically rare "card" was a promotional give-away announcing the arrival of the famous film starring new Yankees star Babe Ruth at Madison Square Garden. An image of a youthful Bambino dominates the front, with details of the event printed on verso. The business card-sized rarity has some condition issues, namely well-rounded corners, poor centering and scattered staining, but it may well be one of the only such cards in existence -- it is definitely the only one ever graded by PSA. Bid now, or forever hold your peace.
1920 Tex Rickard Babe Ruth Headin' Home -- Batting Full Length PSA Good 2 Another coup for Tex Rickard, the famed 1920's sporting promoter who built Madison Square and Boston Gardens, organized the first million-dollar prize fights (including the famed Dempsey -- Tunney "Long Count" match), and founded the New York Rangers NHL squad (which he christened "Tex's Rangers" at the time). This fantastically rare "card" was a promotional give-away announcing the arrival of the famous film starring new Yankees star Babe Ruth at Madison Square Garden. An image of a youthful Bambino dominates the front, with details of the event printed on verso. Fitting for the grade, the business card-sized rarity has some condition issues, namely well-rounded corners, skewed centering and a stain that permeates the upper right corner. although the numeric grade isn't quite as important considering that this is one of very few in existence and is the only one to have ever been graded by PSA. The conjunction of the greatest athlete and greatest promoter of the Roaring '20's makes this one a blue ribbon winner in any state.
1928 Tharp's Ice Cream Babe Ruth #6 PSA Good 2 A noteworthy issue due to the other luminaries that shared the run (Gehrig, Cobb, Traynor, McGraw, et al) and the fact that only a scant few have surfaced in the hobby. Of the 21 Tharp's cards to pass through the PSA system, this is the one and only Ruth. And the fact is, it's in pretty darn good shape. Short of the surface scuff between the Babe's feet, we'd probably be looking at a 4 or 5 at least. But any way you slice it, it's still "Population 1." And one is the loveliest number...
Basketball Cards
1929 Kashin Publications R316 Partial Set with SGC Graded Stars Twenty-five Roaring 20s cards offer marvelous photographic studies of the greatest names of the era. Each card measures 3.5" x 4.5" and is quite similar in appearance to the popular exhibit cards of the day, with blank backs. The Hall of Famers grade as follows: Babe Ruth (EX/NM 80), Lou Gehrig (NM 84), Waite Hoyt (VG/EX 50), Robert Grove (EX+ 70), Sam Rice (NM 84), Charlie Gehringer (VG/EX 50), Joe Sewell (NM 84), Earle Combs (NM/MT 88). The remainder of the cards all fall within the range shown by those which were graded. Incredibly, we also offer the original "Coral" cardboard envelope in which these cards were packaged, showing considerably more wear than the cards themselves, but still quite displayable, VG. The rest of the 25 includes Phil Todt, Harry (Henry) Manush, Fred Schulte, Urban Faber, Mark Koenig, Howard Ehmke, Roy C. Johnson, Alphonse Thomas, Dazzy Vance, Willie, Kamm, Harry F. Rice, Lewis A. Fonseca, Charlie Jamieson, Oscar Melillo, Elwood English, Fred M. Leach, Tom Zachary.
Baseball Cards
1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth Baseball #32 PSA NM-MT 8 With so many potential pitfalls, with danger swirling all about a card such as this, the existence of one so fine challenges the very laws of probability. Caramel cards themselves are often problematic, falling victim to staining by the product with which they were packaged. Next, we must consider that a Ruth card, dating from the height of his "Called Shot" fame, would have been quite well-loved at the time, and hence bearing the signs of handling by young hands that couldn't possibly have understood the card's destiny of great monetary value. Thirdly, the Babe found himself the final card in this issue of thirty-two, leaving him in real danger of the excess wear generally plaguing the first and last cards in a set. And, finally, lest we forget, the card is over 70 years old! The only hints of the passing decades lie in the mellowing of the white areas to a creamy shade, and perhaps the mildest touch of foxing at the left corners. Centering is quite good for the era, and the corners offer just the slightest touches upon close inspection. The back is very clean. Fewer than 60 have passed through the offices of PSA at all, with only two ever grading higher. They simply don't get much better than this rare offering of "The Bambino".
1933 Goudey Uncut Sheet of 24 with Five Hall of Famers, including Babe Ruth A true pioneer in the field of bubble gum cards, The Goudey Gum Company of Boston, Massachusetts created some of the most beloved pieces of cardboard ever sealed in wax paper. From Indians to aviators to sports heroes, Goudey Gum packs held treasures for kids throughout the late 1940s. For reasons that may be obvious, portraits of the men who played America's Game have long been favored by children of all ages, and the cards that came packed with Big League Chewing Gum are no exception. Goudey released several sets featuring stars of the diamond, beginning in 1933. Offered here is a rarely seen uncut sheet of 24 cards from that inaugural set, featuring Hall of Fame heroes Charlie "Red" Ruffing, Eppa Rixey, Jesse Haines, Tris Speaker and The Sultan of Swat, himself, "Babe" Ruth. Every previously seen uncut Goudey sheet has measured 14.25" x 11.5" and not exhibited much of a border around the outer cards, whereas this sheet measures 17" x 15.25" and boasts a 1.5" border on the sides and 2" on the top and bottom. The presence of such large borders indicates that this sheet was a proof, sent to someone in Goudey's marketing department to look over and make note of any errors in the extensive white space. The absence of such markings means that this sheet was the final proof, with all cards being printed in its likeness. This sheet grades NM--MT, with slight discoloration of the borders as the closest thing to a flaw. Several spots on the front and back of the sheet have received some color retouching that is only noticeable after intense scrutiny, and in no way detracts from the fantastic eye appeal of this piece.
1933 Goudey Big League Triple Babe Ruth Uncut Sheet The 1933 Goudey Gum series of 240 was the first major gum card set of the 1930s, and is universally recognized as the most popular and significant set of the era. This magnificent issue includes every baseball star of the day, and is highlighted with three cards featuring Babe Ruth and two with Lou Gehrig. The 1933 set was produced by the Boston-based Goudey Gum manufacturer in ten sheets containing 24 cards each, which were then cut, packaged with a stick of gum, and distributed. Uncut sheets were never meant to survive as such, but were sometimes kept as a memento by a factory employee with a fondness for the game, thus providing our hobby with a few precious examples. These have proven to have great worth even beyond the monetary value of the cards themselves. They have helped show collectors why some of the cards in the set are the more difficult to find in high grade, due to their positioning on these sheets. For example, many cards from the set are inherently off-centered by virtue of being on the bottom edge of the sheet and some are rarely found in high grade because they are one of the corner cards, which could often sustain wear even before leaving the factory. There are still only one or two known examples of most of the sheets in the set, with those being in various stages of distress. The Goudey Gum Company did keep one archetype of each sheet in their files, but these examples have sustained damage to the reverses because they were taped into scrapbooks. The "Triple Babe Ruth" sheet is by far the most impressive of the 10 sheets comprising the set, containing five Hall of Fame players in addition to the three Babe Ruth cards. There are estimated to only be three examples of the Goudey "Triple Babe Ruth" sheet, with one of those having been professionally restored from the Goudey files. Heritage Sports is proud to offer the finest example of a "Triple Babe Ruth" sheet extant of the final production. The sheet measures an impressive 14.25" wide and 11.5" tall, making it very suitable as a wall display. It is completely free of any front or back damage other than the slightest amount of fraying at each of the four corners. It is clear that this impressive sheet has been meticulously preserved over the past 70-plus years. This rare item exhibits bold, vibrant colors, with strong registration and superb overall eye appeal befitting such a valuable artifact of the baseball card hobby. The sheet contains four rows of six cards each and they present as follows: From left to right, the top row having card numbers 148, 147 (Hall of Famer Leo Durocher), 146, 145, 143 and 149 (Hall of Famer Babe Ruth); Second row from top having card numbers 153, 152, 144 (Hall of Famer Babe Ruth), 151, 150 and 144 (again Hall of Famer Babe Ruth, this card was printed twice on the sheet due to Ruth's popularity); Second row from bottom having card numbers 159, 158, 157, 156, 155 and 154 (Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx); Bottom row having card numbers 165 (Hall of Famer Joe Sewell), 164 (Hall of Famer Lloyd Waner), 163, 162, 161 and 160 (Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig). The four corner cards rate minimally EX/MT, while all 20 others rate an impressive Gem Mint. There is no established price guide for uncut sheets because of their extreme rarity. However, adding up the individual values for these beauties from a certified card price guide tallies well in excess of $250,000!
1933 Sport Kings Gum Ty Cobb #1 SGC NM+ 86 Topping even Babe Ruth for the number one spot (the Bambino was card number two), the tough kid from Georgia starts off a set that features the best from Golden Age boxing (Dempsey, Tunney), hockey (Shore, Bailey),football (Grange, Thorpe) and beyond. The mixture of Cobb's star power and his appearance as number one in the set (and, of course, the card's advanced age) make this one of the toughest cards to find in a high grade. But don't just take our word for it. Of the thirty-eight Cobb Sport Kings to pass through SGC's service, only one has ever topped it. Furthermore, only one has matched the grade of the offered specimen, leaving it in a two-way tie for salutatorian of the class. Take away the light touch on the bottom right corner, and this one is definitely the teacher's pet.
1934-36 Diamond Stars "Al" Lopez #28 SGC NM/MT 88 One of only two Lopez cards from this gorgeous National Chicle Co. issue to achieve the designation of SGC 88, with none above. Though Alphonse Lopez entered the Hall of Fame on his strength as a manager, leading both the Indians and White Sox to 1950s pennants in an era of Yankee domination, this certainly ranks among his most desirable cards. A touch on the lower left corner is very slight, and mitigated by the unusually perfect centering. No complaints about the verso. A magnificent representation of this rare card from the beginning of the bubble gum age.
1939 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #26 SGC EX/NM 80 Marilyn Monroe's ex-husband looks about 12 years old in this card printed when the other Yanks were still calling him "rookie." When you first look at this one, you're struck by the thought that it looks much better than its grade. Much better. We'd have to assume it's the black ink dot, about the size of the head of a ballpoint pen, that has knocked it from the realm of Near Mint. You won't find better corners or centering on too many 1930's cards, that's for sure.
1939 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #26 GAI NM+ 7.5 With the sad farewell of the Iron Horse marking the Independence Day celebrations at Yankee Stadium this season, it was time for a new Bronx hero to step up to the proverbial plate, and this kid didn't disappoint. This essential Joltin' Joe card offers an eye appeal surpassing even its very respectable Near Mint-plus title. The surface of the card is flawless, with only light corner wear and slightly off-kilter centering bringing the card down from the absolute elite of the issue.
1939 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #26 SGC Mint 96 Only one other card on earth can claim the honor of being slabbed beneath an SGC 96 banner, and neither has ever been topped. If you were to travel back in time, head to the local merchant and start ripping open brand new 1939 Play Ball packs, even then it would take you a long while to pull a card that could hold a candle to this one. Seriously, look at that centering! Perfect! The corners have never felt the caress of a human finger. The whites are bright, the blacks are solid. We would marvel over any 1939 card in such magnificent shape, but a DiMaggio such as this is simply awe-inspiring. A blue chip investment if there ever was one.
1940 Play Ball Joe Jackson #225 GAI Mint 9 The 1940 Play Ball set has long been a favorite among collectors, standing along side the classic, beloved 1933 Goudeys. Gum, Inc. improved upon their 1939 design by adding a banner that displayed the player's name, which was flanked by a glove, bat and catcher's mask. The creativity displayed for the 1940 series made for a phenomenal set, and the inclusion of Old Timers was brilliant. If not for such insightful player selection, the offered card would not exist, as "Shoeless" Joe Jackson, one of the keys of this set, had not played in the Major Leagues for 20 years. Collectors are forced to wonder if Jackson was included, along with other long-retired players, because he was seen as their peer. Other postulations could be made -- perhaps the employees of the Philadelphia-based Gum, Inc. lamented Connie Mack's decision to trade Jackson to Cleveland, and wondered what might have been, had his career been allowed to end where it began, in the City of Brotherly Love. Interestingly enough, the bio on the card's back makes no mention whatsoever of the Black Sox Scandal, and simply notes that Jackson's career ended in 1920. Many a collector's set has a vacancy for #225, especially in high grade, which makes us all the more proud to offer the ultimate specimen extant: no example of this card has been graded equal or higher than this flawlessly mint piece by either PSA, SGC, or GAI. This magnificent example is the the simple definition of condition rarity, as it obviously never encountered the typical printing defects like so many of its compatriots. The corners are as clean as the day that this one was printed over six decades ago, with perfect registration and a flawless reverse. Don't let this one pass you by because you will likely never have a second chance.
1941 Play Ball Ted Williams #14 PSA NM-MT 8 Not a bad season for the Splendid Splinter, who managed a feat that has not been matched in the six decades since this card was issued, when he hit safely a little better than four out of every ten at bats. Fewer than 10 such cards have ever graded higher than this very fine representation which misses mint status only due to very light touches at the corners and perfectly even toning on verso. The face itself is magnificent, offering eye appeal that is truly second to none. Just a hair's breadth from a PSA 9.
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #71 PSA NM 7 The events of December 7th would change everything this year, but during the summer of 1941, at least in New York City, the conversation increasingly centered around the man pictured on this artful card. "Did DiMaggio get a hit?" they would ask. And the answer that came back, week after week, was "Yes." The most beautiful swing in the game is set against a rainbow hue of purple, green and yellow on a card whose only hint of age is the consistent creamy toning that pervades the borders and verso. Otherwise, the corners, edges and centering are very strong, leaving the possibility of an upgrade a definite consideration.
1941 Play Ball Complete Set with PSA Graded Stars It was an incredible season for feats of batting prowess the final baseball season before the U.S. entered the war. Ted Williams' .406 and Joe DiMaggio 56 dominated the sports pages and the fans held their breaths with each swing. Both are here in this important set characterized by soft pastel portraits and Hall of Fame talent. DiMaggio is one of three PSA 5 cards, with the others being Dickey and Gehringer. Ruffing, Leonard, Donald, Reese and Demaree rate PSA 6. Williams card is ungraded, as the upper left corner is torn at the border and would therefore necessitate a low grade despite continued eye appeal. The balance of the cards grade a consistent Excellent throughout.
1941 Double Play (R330) Complete Set of 75 Seventy-five cards issued by Gum Inc. the year Joe and Ted made history with their bats. Long a collectors' favorite, as each card offers two athletes instead of just one, it's nonetheless quite rare to see this tough set in complete form. Even more rare is to see all seventy-five cards slabbed up for posterity. We're proud to offer just such a collection, featuring all 150 athletes (130 different) of this sepia-toned, blank-backed issue. Condition is spread quite evenly over the complete spectrum, and breaks down as follows: G through VG (twenty-two), VG+ through VG/EX (sixteen), VG/EX+ through EX+ (twenty-five), and EX/MT through NM (twelve). Most notable in the set are Williams/Tabor (EX/MT+), Cronin/Foxx (EX/MT), Gomez/Rizzuto (VG+), DiMaggio/Keller (VG), Reese/Higbe (EX/MT), Williams/Cronin (VG/EX).
1948 Leaf Babe Ruth #3 PSA NM-MT 8 It's one of the most recognizable images in card collecting, classic and yet years ahead of its time, looking more like an Andy Warhol painting than a typical trading card. Printed the year of the Babe's death, and bearing his jersey number "3," the card is absolutely mesmerizing, offering a portrait of Ruth with an expression as inscrutable as Mona Lisa's. Artistic references aside, it's noteworthy that Leaf runs couldn't compare to Topps or Bowman in size, and just about every Leaf Ruth still out there has been sent through PSA. Of 430 such cards, only four have ever graded higher.
1948 Leaf Honus Wagner #70 SGC Mint 96 We've all heard the story that Wagner's T206 card was discontinued because he disapproved of tobacco, and yet here he is stuffing some into his face some 30-odd years later. Funny how folks change. They also say that there are only 50 Wagner T206's on earth. And yet there are only two Wagner '48 Leafs on earth to have been graded Mint 96 by SGC.
1948 Leaf Ted Williams #78 PSA Mint 9 Looking more like Russian propaganda posters than the typical baseball card of the era, the 1948 Leaf set's bold, simple, and yet thoroughly modern design has made it a top favorite among collectors. When you consider that only slightly in excess of 6,000 cards of this issue have passed through PSA's grading service, whereas the first issue of Topps just four years later has seen over ten times that amount slabbed, it becomes clear just how scarce this beautiful set is. This astounding representation of the great Ted Williams' number 76 card takes us one step further toward the pinnacle of the elite, ranking as one of only seven such cards to rest below a Mint 9 banner, with not a single card above. The surface is simply flawless, with full ink coverage of the bold blocks of color that often reveal a defect or two in other cards. Centering is masterful, and the corners strong as the day it rolled off the presses. The verso is equal to the face in quality. You can rest assured that the 1948 Leaf Williams that tops this one simply does not exist.
1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson #50 PSA NM-MT 8 This distinctive issue has long been a favorite among collectors, who love the bold, unassuming design that harkens back to a simpler time. These cards are tough to come by though, especially stars of this top quality. Fewer than two percent of the over 400 Jackies submitted to PSA have graded higher than our offering, which shows the typical roughness at the edges and corners that define this issue, yet to a far lesser degree than the vast majority of '49 Bowmans. The face and verso are very clean with consistent toning that only adds to the vintage appeal. A proud and solid 8.
1950 Bowman Baseball Complete Set with PSA Graded Stars The great style that would characterize the early 50's Bowmans began here, with the pint-sized cards inversely proportional to the dimensions of their appeal. All 252 cards are here, with 19 highlights slabbed by PSA. The Robinson presents as Ex-Mt, yet received a puzzling PSA 2 grade. Williams is PSA 4, Spahn is PSA 5, Ashburn, Hodges and Snider are PSA 6, Durocher, Kluszewski and Reese are among seven PSA 7's, and Frank Shea is one of five PSA 8's. The remainder of the set grades EX or better, with a few lesser.
1951 Bowman Roy Campanella #31 PSA NM-MT 8 One of the most compelling images in an issue with no shortage thereof resides on the face of the card dedicated to the Brooklyn Dodgers backstop, who flips his mask off as he tracks a high pop up at the plate. And just as you'll find few images from the set finer than this, so will you find almost no '51 Bowman Campy cards that can top our offering. Just four, in fact, of the 300 graded by PSA have achieved a Mint 9 designation, with not a single 10. Light corner touches and slightly skewed centering are the only detractions to our card, but the eye appeal, with its perfect surfaces on front and back, matches up easily with the few that have ranked higher.
1951 Bowman Willie Mays #305 PSA EX-MT 6 Along with Mickey Mantle, this guy has made the gorgeous 1951 Bowman issue the hottest set for high-powered rookies in card collecting history. Each year the value of the set, hinging largely on the power of these two cards, continues to rise, and there's no end in sight. Invest now in this fine example of Willie's first card, and you'll be paid dividends if you ever decide to sell it years down the road. Imperfect centering and edge and corner wear can't diminish a perfect image on the face, and the back is very clean as well. A very respectable specimen.
Baseball 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 SGC NM/MT 84. The Mick's image jumps right out at you and you're hard pressed to find a single print dot on the card. This strong example has four very nice corners showing virtually no wear, spectacular colors featuring the deepest, boldest blue imaginable on his hat, perfect focus and picture registration with bright, vibrant background coloring. The reverse is flawless and free of wax staining. Here's your rare opportunity to acquire the rookie card of one of baseball's true immortals, Mickey Mantle. Truly important cards like this one never go out of style.
1951 Bowman Willie Mays #305 PSA NM-MT 8 The 1951 Bowman issue is typically plagued with printing dots, but not this one. Often registration is less than ideal, but here it's flawless. This Mays exhibits great gloss, four perfect corners, and a back as clean as an operating room. The centering is 60/40 top to bottom, but dead-on left to right. This is not your typical 8. You can believe that. Of the 60 Mays rookies slabbed in PSA 8 cases, it's doubtful that any could beat this beauty in a head to head fight.
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 SGC NM/MT 88 "Mickey is the Yankee rookie of whom so much is expected in 1951." So begins the text on the back of this essential card, the first to bear the likeness of the legendary Hall of Famer. It's safe to say that the Yankees' expectations were well met. And any expectations a serious card collector might have will be similarly satisfied with this top representation of Bowman's #253 card from their 1951 issue. Print lines and centering problems, two issues that affect a large percentage of cards from this set, have taken a vacation in this case. Microscopic touches on the corners take an eagle eye to spot, as does the slightest hint of a rough cut on the bottom edge. From any distance greater than six inches, it's impossible to see anything veering from perfection. We'll just leave it at this: only three cards have ever graded higher at SGC and that should say it all.
1951 Bowman Willie Mays #305 SGC NM/MT+ 92 Willie Mays played with enthusiasm and exuberance while excelling in all phases of the game- hitting for average and power, fielding, throwing, and baserunning. This lot features one of the most sought after cards in the hobby and it's hard to imagine a finer specimen of the Hall of Fame center fielder's rookie card than this beauty. The centering is phenomenal with creamy white borders that are equal to one another to within fractions of a millimeter. The surface, which is so often a problem with the 1951 Bowman issue, is a strength with this example, free of any print defects and exhibiting bright, bold colors, with stunning original gloss. All four corners are sharp, with a flawless reverse. Don't miss the opportunity to pick up one of the finest examples of the Say Hey Kid's tough 1951 Bowman issue.
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 SGC Mint 96 This card is a favorite of a favorite, as rookie cards are the favorite of most collectors, and Mickey Mantle is the favorite of many collectors. Mantle's rookie is a fantastic piece, because in addition to its scarcity (unlike the Mick's first Topps card in 1952, the 1951 was not a double print), the card has a great image of the Mick's youthful gaze cast forward, perhaps envisioning the storied career that was his destiny. When the slumber of this card was ended and it was removed from its wax pack, the utmost care was obviously used, preserving a Mint example that has been certified as flawless. The corners and edges are untainted razors, the centering and registration are perfect, and the bold colors are as inspiring as Mickey's postseason glory. One of only two representations to achieve the coveted Mint 96 designation, with none grading higher.
1952 Bowman Baseball Complete Set The Bowman sets of the early 1950's have gone down in history as some of the most beautifully rendered issues in the hobby, with artwork at once both simple and expressive, capturing the spirit of the post-war game. Rarely seen in complete set form, all 252 cards from the '52 issue are compiled here for your collecting pleasure. They have the look of a set completed by a young baseball fan, with wear at the edges and corners, but handled with enough reverence to avoid any creasing, tearing or staining. A quite consistent VG-EX across the board. Included is a rare wax pack wrapper from this issue, also in VG-EX condition.
1952 Bowman Willie Mays #218 PSA NM-MT 8. There are two cards on earth you'll need to search down if you're hoping to find a '52 Bowman Mays that is graded higher, so you'd better tell your wife you'll be late for dinner if that's your intention. Frankly, it's hard to imagine what those cards have that this example does not. Bowman's common centering defects are not an issue here, and if there is a touch on the lower right corner, is it all but microscopic. The surfaces on front and back remain unchanged from their birth over half a century ago. Spectacular.
1952 Red Man Tobacco Complete Set All 52 cards from this particularly scarce and desirable issue. Consider that the Topps issue of the same year has over 60,000 cards graded by PSA, while fewer than 1,000 '52 Red Man cards have been slabbed, and you begin to get a sense of just how rare these cards are. Short of light corner wear, the overwhelming majority of this set is in marvelous EX-MT condition, with several that would grade even higher. All tabs are present and accounted for.
1953 Bowman Color Duke Snider #117 PSA NM 7 Brooklyn's Hall of Fame center fielder flashes his winning smile from the number 117 card of our favorite set, the first to break ground with color photography. The lightest touch on the bottom right corner drops it a shade below its three razor sharp siblings, but from a distance of more than six inches, this card just blazes.
1953 Bowman Color Stan Musial #32 PSA Mint 9 An unbelievably choice example of "Stan the Man's" 1953 Bowman issue in PSA Mint 9. The offered card, depicting a cheerful Musial is a beauty. It's corners appear totally untouched, and the cardfront's bright gloss and ivory-white borders make it appear as if it was pulled from the pack yesterday. The centering is exceptional and accentuates the spectacular presentation quality of Musial's photo. Truly in outstanding Mint condition.
1953 Topps Baseball Near Set, All Unqualified PSA EX-MT 6's! Just a little bit more work and you'll be able to complete the task that took our consignor hundreds of hours to achieve. All you need to do is come up with the final missing 20 cards of the 92 percent complete set, and you can sit back and enjoy. The first 254 cards are already in hand. And all the big names are already here and graded PSA EX-MT 6: Mantle, Mays, Robinson, Paige, Feller, Martin, Berra, Rizzuto, Spahn, Reese, Campy, Gilliam, Newhouser, etc. All that's left are the following: 9, 30, 43, 46, 78, 81, 101, 111, 113, 134, 142, 155, 165, 192, 218, 240, 250, 265, 274, 278. Are you up for the challenge?
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle #82 SGC NM 84 A high-quality representation of the Mick's second Topps card, offering one of the most distinctive and recognizable images of everybody's favorite Yankee. Fewer than 25 have topped SGC's rating of this strong specimen.
1953 Topps Satchel Paige #220 PSA NM-MT 8 He was famous for saying, "Don't look back, someone might be gaining on you," but of the 819 Paige cards from the beautiful 1953 Topps issue submitted to PSA, only seven have successfully edged past this one in terms of quality. And it's one of the finest baseball portraits you'll see anywhere, capturing so many years of a hard baseball life in the lines of Satchel's face. This card is a genuine beauty, as ageless as the man himself.
1953 Red Man Tobacco Complete Set All 52 cards in this historic set are present, and each still holds its all-important lower tab, often missing in this issue, as those tabs could be mailed in and redeemed for a prize. Each of the cards shows an excellent surface with great gloss, with the single exception of Robin Roberts' card, which shows mild scuffing to the face. A few have all but imperceptible wrinkling, and most have minor corner wear. Still, a strong EX set overall, with several that could rate higher.
1954 Bowman Ted Williams #66 PSA NM-MT 8 Back for his first full season after flying fighters in Korea, the Splinter was able to pick up right where he left off this season, posting a .345 average with 29 home runs. His confident smile beams from a card with pack-fresh sheen, terrific corners and 60/40 centering. With only two unqualified cards topping this one on the PSA charts, we shouldn't have to work too hard to convince you of the quality of this offering from one of the hobby's most sought-after sets.
1954 Johnston Cookies Braves Uncut Sheet With only 316 cards from this issue finding their way to the PSA offices (as opposed to over 41,000 '54 Topps), any sighting of the Johnston Cookies card is noteworthy. But to find 42, still joined together in a marvelously preserved sheet, is just unheard of. We're also pleased to announce that among the cards are two Spahns, and an Aaron, Burdette, and Mathews. There is surprisingly little edge and corner wear on this sheet, and an all but invisible wrinkle snakes through a few of the lesser players in the upper left quadrant. A very, very minor print line brushes the adjacent Burdette and Spahn cards, but the mere mention of it is probably overstating the issue. The balance of star cards do not merit even that mild of a disclaimer. It would be quite reasonable to assume that this is the finest of the very few (if any) other such sheets on earth.
1954 Red Man Tobacco Complete Set Fifty-four cards include even the variations in the set (for example, both Enos Slaughter and Gus Bell are listed as "National League Player #19). A few cards show some mild creasing, and most have a bit of corner wear, but the overall look of the set is very strong, and would average EX to EX-MT. Only six are missing the tab at bottom. The great artwork and oversized dimensions of this issue has made it a real favorite among 1950's cardboard collectors.
1954 Topps Jackie Robinson #10 PSA NM-MT 8 Flip this card over and look very closely. You'll note the slightest bit of wear visible in the full bleed green just at the very edges of this wonderful specimen. The white borders of the front are not so pitilessly unforgiving, offering a face value that screams PSA 9, with its perfect centering, gloss, corners and registration. Still, fewer than 20 have ever graded higher.
1954 Topps Willie Mays #90 GAI NM-MT 8 Exceptionally strong representation dates from the glorious year of "The Catch" and the Championship. Very mild wear at the edges and light corner touches are all that keeps this one from stepping up a class or two. The surfaces are just dynamite.
1954 Topps Henry Aaron #125 PSA NM-MT 8 Judged solely on the quality of the surface and image, we wouldn't hesitate to call this one pack fresh. Perfect gloss and registration. Eliminate the touches of wear to the left edge of the card, visible only upon very close inspection, and you've got one of the best '54 Aarons out there.
1954 Topps Henry Aaron #128 SGC Mint 96 Hammerin' Hank has held the title of Home Run King for over three decades and his rookie card represents on of the five most important post war cards. A must for any high-end collection, this exceptional mint representation of his 1954 Topps rookie card is simply the best of the best. This extraordinary card is so glossy, you can use it to check if there is anything stuck in your teeth. With bold color, strong registration, and each corner ending in a finely pointed tip, this beauty is one of only four to have ever achieved the status of Mint 96, and none has one soared higher. The reverse is immaculate, without a hint of wax or gum stains. If ever a card could be described as pack fresh, it's this one.
1955 Topps Baseball Complete Set with PSA Graded Stars. An issue particularly popular for its graphics pairing a portrait and action shot of each ballplayer, and for the appearance of two important rookies. Roberto Clemente is one of four slabbed cards, and rates a PSA 5, the same grade awarded both Killebrew and Mays. Ted Williams rounds out the graded cards with a PSA 4. The other important rookie, Sandy Koufax, is ungraded, but offers a perfect blue ink signature, verified by PSA/DNA. We'd grade it at VG-EX due to a wrinkle at the lower right corner. The balance of the set is quite consistently within the VG-EX to EX range, showing the edge and corner wear typical of 1950's cards, but nothing more serious. A nice, solid set. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1955 Red Man Tobacco Complete Set The last in the long and venerable history of tobacco cards, whose origins date to the 19th century, and include many of the most valuable and coveted cards in the hobby. The complete run of 50 cards is here, and though they are all missing their redeemable tabs at the bottom, they are otherwise in terrific condition, perhaps evenly split between EX-MT and NRMT specimens with only one or two lesser cards. An historic final farewell to a great partnership between a bad habit and a national pastime.
1956 Topps Ted Williams #5 GAI Mint 9 The Splendid Splinter looks just magnificent on this magically preserved card from the popular Topps set. Flawless centering, corners and surfaces have left the graders at Global with no other alternative but to christen this rarity with a grade of Mint 9.
1956 Topps Hank Aaron #31 GAI Mint 9 A long and arduous search to find something negative to say about this card turned up nothing. Look for yourself. The centering is great, the surface is clean and glossy, the corners are sharp. Perhaps the slightest touch of a rough cut on the bottom edge? Outside of that, we're stumped.
1956 Topps Baseball Complete Set with PSA Graded Stars The Mick smiles big on his PSA 6 card from the '56 issue, as if he knew when the card was printed that he would wear the Triple Crown when the year was done. Clemente, Aaron and Banks are similarly housed in PSA 6 slabs. The remainder of the 340 card set is consistent with PSA's assessment of these four, grading a majority EX-MT with 20% grading lesser.
1957 Swift Meats Complete Set With Mailer & Playing Board Never before have we seen something like this. The folks at Beckett agree, endowing this set, above all others in history as the "Most Condition Rare Set." After all, how could you possibly resist the temptation to punch out and assemble these things? They're just far too cool to leave them alone. Beckett's contention that "Values for unpunched Swift cards are sort of an exercise in unreality..." is overwhelmingly true, but we'll let the bidders decide the value here. Short of a few microscopic factory print wrinkles, these cards are as Minty as Minty can be, still assembled on their sheets of six with three sheets comprising the set. The original mailing envelope is present and displays an artists rendition of the game with the printed text "Here is your Swift Major League Baseball Game and 18 Major League Players!". Finally, we have the original playing board, which grades a technical VG-EX due to a center fold above and beyond those made for mailing purposes. So very, very rare...
1958 Topps Willie Mays #5 PSA NM-MT 8 All the California kids were scrambling for this card, as the Giants pulled up their Polo Grounds stakes for their new home in San Francisco this year. You'd better believe that this one didn't end up in the spokes of a bicycle though. With dead-on centering, great gloss, sharp corners and a clean verso, we'd be tempted to claim that this card belongs with the five of 835 submitted to PSA that have graded 9.
1958 Topps Tigers' Big Bats Harvey Kuenn - Al Kaline #304 PSA Mint 9 A Motor City masterpiece. Straight from the wax pack-quality card is completely unassailable in terms of quality, leaving no mystery as to why it is one of only eight such cards to have achieved this grade, with none ranking higher.
1958 Topps Baseball Complete Set (494) In the tall stacks of PSA slabs, 91 in total, all but nine are graded PSA 7 (remainder: five PSA 8, three PSA 6 one PSA 5). That's quality! Check out the Hall of Fame talent, all residing in PSA 7 cases: Williams, Mantle, Mazeroski, Schoendienst, Aaron, Snider, Killebrew, Kaline, Drysdale, Cepeda, Ford, Reese. Banks and the Brooks Robinson rookie are ungraded, but would certainly fall into that same realm of excellence. The balance of the set flirts with the same near mint and better range and would break down to 60% NM or better, with the remainder falling into EX-MT. This set certainly is high-end and looking for an owner that can provide the final effort to put it over the top.
1959 Bazooka Mickey Mantle NM/MT SGC 88 Like the man himself, this oversized card issued by the popular bubble gum company stands head and shoulders above the rest. Literally, the 2.75" x 5" dimensions dwarf the other cards of the era. And in a figurative sense, the clean surfaces, sharp corners, smooth edges and clean back have placed it at the top of the SGC population report, a lofty perch it shares with just one other representation, with none higher. Often overlooked by Mantle card collectors, this one will set you apart from the rest as well.
1959 Fleer Ted Williams High Grade Collection PSA Mint 9. Lot of 8 Eight different cards, but they all share two things in common. First, they celebrate the life of the greatest hitter who ever lived. And second, they are all in simply fantastic condition. With well over ninety percent of this issue grading 8 or below, it's rare to see so many 9's together in one place. A fine lot for breaking down to resell. Offered are card numbers: 7, 22 48, 49, 50, 62, 64, 66.
1959 Topps Frank Robinson #435 PSA Mint 9 With 36 home runs and 125 runs batted in, the Reds first baseman was well on his way to guaranteeing himself a spot in Cooperstown in '59. Such greatness is well represented by this spectacular card that seems to be centered down to the molecular level. Snow white borders flow to corners sharp enough to draw blood. Only a single representation has ever graded higher.
1959 Topps Roberto Clemente #478 PSA Mint 9 Roberto Clemente carried himself with a dignity that proved his greatness extended far beyond his athletic abilities. This gorgeous representation of this 1959 Topps card is a fitting tribute to this legend of the game, offering centering, corners and surface quality that is second to none. Of 1560 specimens slabbed by PSA, not a single card has graded higher.
1959 Topps Willie Mays All-Star #563 SGC Mint 96 One of only two representations to achieve this ranking from SGC, with none higher. This card has it all: surface, borders, corners, verso. Just try to find a better one!
1959 Topps Baseball Complete Set with PSA Graded Stars One of the greatest decades in baseball history came to a close with this popular set containing all the superstars that made the 1950's so golden. All 572 cards are here, with 22 residing in PSA slabs. Chief among those are the PSA 6 Mantle, Spahn, Mays, Koufax, Mays' Catch, Killebrew and Mays All-Star, the PSA 7 pair of Banks cards (350 & 469), and a strong assortment of PSA 8's: Frank Torre, Brewer/Sisler, Curt Simmons, Brooks Robinson, Pinson, Kaline #463, Aaron #467, Kaline All-Star and Mantle All-Star. The balance of the ungraded cards breaks down as follows: 25% EX-MT or better, 65% EX, and 10% VG-EX or lesser.
1960 Topps Willie Mays #564 GAI Mint 9 Most baseball scholars point to Mr. Mays as the best player of the 1960's, so a high-grade card dating from the beginning of his League dominance seems a fitting homage. Pack-fresh in every way, this high-numbered rarity offers corners, centering, gloss and verso in complete accordance with its Mint designation.
1961Chem Strand Emblems Complete Set An exceptionally rare full set of nine emblems is made even more desirable by the inclusion of the ultra-scarce original package, and the fact that the coveted Willie Mays emblem remains in its original plastic wrapper. Fox, Groat, Kaline, Killebrew, Malzone, another Mays, Banks, Berra and Spahn are in equally NRMT condition. Finally, the consignor has included a newspaper clipping advertising this product. This is certainly the finest of the very, very few examples of this complete set on earth.
1960-71 Bazooka Complete Set Collection. Lot of 5 Sets The famous chewing gum company throws its hat into the baseball card ring. The results as follows: 1960 (12 panels, 36 cards). EX to EX-MT except for 1-3 (corner wear), 31-33 (Mantle panel is clean but has poor cut in lower left), 34-36 (VG-EX). 1964 12 panels, 36 cards). NRMT. 1965 (12 panels, 36 cards). EX-MT to NRMT except for panel 16-18 (VG-EX). 1967 (16 panels, 48 cards). EX-MT to NRMT except for 10-12 (VG-EX) and 40-42 (VG-EX to EX). 1971 (12 panels including one complete unassembled box, 36 cards). VG-EX to EX-MT, with EX average, except for Mint Reggie Jackson panel on a complete, never-assembled box. Note that five of the 1960 panels and all of the panels of the four 1960 panels and all of the panels of the four 1960's sets have a year notation on the reverse, a common practice among collectors of the day, as the cards have no year notation otherwise. These markings are not taken into account in the above grading. Also included with the collection are seven high-grade (NRMT) early 1960's panels, including the key 1962 panel including Mickey Mantle. A clean collection of these scarce cards. 59 panels total (177 cards).
1961 Topps Bob Clemente #388 SGC Mint 96 If he looks a little smug, he has a right. The Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Pirate was just coming off a glorious World Series victory over the New York Yankees when the photo for this card was snapped. With spectacularly precise centering, razor corners, and a pristine verso, the card offers very little in a search for defects. A tiny print mark inhabits the upper right border. Perhaps that's the reason that this card is one of just three to grade a 96, and not all alone above them all.
1961 Topps Willie Mays MVP #482 PSA Mint 9 Say Hey to one of the finest specimens of this popular issue ever slabbed by PSA. Offering surgically precise centering, razor corners and perfect gloss, this card leaves little doubt as to why only 15 have ever shared its Mint 9 grade, with only a single card nabbing the impossible 10.
1962 Topps Yankees Team #251 PSA Mint 9 When nothing but the best will do. The World Champs are flawless on a card from an issue notoriously tough on grading due to the full bleed color, rather than white borders which hide minor imperfections much more faithfully. Of close to 200 cards in the population report, only four others have matched this one, and none have topped it.
Baseball 1962 Topps Willie Mays #300 BVG Mint 9. That's the smile of sweet success that you see on the face of this Hall of Fame center fielder. With another 40 home run season in 1961 under his belt, Say Hey was well on his way to the mind-boggling 660 with which he would end his storied career. This Mint 1962 specimen represents one of the toughest Mays cards to find in such a high grade, as the full bleed graphics on the front are far less forgiving of minor abrasions than those bordered in white. The subgrades of corners, edges, and surface all grade out a strong 9, with centering grading an 8.5.
1963 Topps Pete Rose Rookie #537 SGC Mint 96 "Charlie Hustle" was always a fan favorite for his all out style of play and this extraordinary example of his 1963 rookie card will undoubtedly be a fan favorite as well. This beauty displays four sharp corners with vibrant color, and strong gloss. While centering is typically a problem for this issue, it is not in this instance as this represents one of the finest specimens ever slabbed by SGC. There really isn't too much to say, other than to heap praise upon this 41-year old marvel. Corners, gloss, centering, verso--it's all as good as it gets.
1963 Topps Pride of N.L. #138 SGC Mint 96 The king of the hill. Check the population report if you don't believe us. Sure, four cards have received a 92 score from SGC, but this is the one and only 96 in the world today. That big smile on Willie's face says it all. There's not a single thing about this card that isn't pure perfection. Now that's pride!
1963 Post Baseball Complete Set with Collector's Album A two hundred card set grouped by teams and split right down the middle between American and National League players. Much more difficult to complete than its older brother the 1962 Post set, this one is plagued by many rarities that make full sets like this one all but nonexistent. Tops on the list of desirability and value, of course, is Mickey Mantle, which holds a highly respectable SGC NM/MT 88 grade. The remainder of the cards is not professionally graded, but most could be, and perhaps should be with a majority of the set in the Ex-Mt to NM category. This set includes 16 additional variations from the issue. Also included is the very rare album into which kids used to glue these keepsakes, though this one is thankfully free of cards and glue, and remains in unused Ex-Mt condition.
1964 Topps Sandy Koufax #200 SGC Mint 96 Tops in ERA, winning percentage and shut-outs this season, Koufax gave kids good reason to trade big for his card in '64. No grubby little mitts have tangled over this one though -- it's quite clear that this one went straight from pack to sleeve to slab. So sharp, so clean, so perfect. Only one has ever graded higher.
1964 Topps Stand-Up Juan Marichal SP SGC Mint 96 Everyone was so tempted to punch the figures out and stand them up (that's what you were supposed to do, right?) that only a handful survived in their original, as-issued state. And how many survived in SGC Mint 96 state? Only one. Here's a chance to take your collection where none other can go.
1965 Topps Pete Rose #207 PSA NM-MT 8 So young, such an innocent face. What happened, Pete? An outstanding example of this early Topps card offers flawless corners and gloss, with 40/60 centering. This has to be one of the strongest 8's around and a great candidate for a resubmission.
1965 Topps Mickey Mantle #350 PSA NM-MT 8 His World Championship glory years were behind him, but immortality lay ahead. With pack-fresh gloss and corners, and none of the typical edge wear common on the full bleed verso, we'd have to assume it's 65/35 centering that prohibited a Mint grade. Of 1500-plus graded, fewer than 35 have topped this Topps.
1965 Topps Cards Rookie Stars #477 GAI Gem Mint 9.5 Steve Carlton's rookie. Fans of Lefty couldn't possibly pass up the chance to own a card so supremely flawless. Not an atom is out of place, with perfectly even borders, razor sharp corners, ultra-glossy front and clean verso. You won't strike out with this one.
1966 Topps Willie Mays #1 SGC NM/MT+ 92 Now this is a tough one. With the number one cards in the set almost always suffering for the honor, it's rare to find any in such stellar condition, much less a star card to boot! Willie will amaze you with the quality of his '66 Topps card, offering straight from the pack freshness to last a lifetime. Only three cards have matched the grade, and none have ever graded SGC 96 or better.
1966 Topps Pete Rose #30 PSA NM-MT 8 Perfect centering? Yes. Perfect gloss? Definitely. Perfect corners? Absolutely. All of the attributes of a PSA 9 are here, except the grade itself. Resubmit, and maybe you'll make this the 20th unqualified card ever to top an 8.
1966 Topps Pete Rose #30 PSA Mint 9 Of almost 750 graded representations of this Charlie Hustle card, not a single one has ever graded higher. The reasons are obvious. You simply could not improve upon the surface, corners, edges or centering. For the collector that demands nothing but the very best.
1966 Topps Mickey Mantle #50 SGC Mint 96 The Mick stands alone. Check the SGC population report online and you'll note the number "1" in the box where the '66 Topps Mantle row and SGC Mint 96 column intersect. That number one refers to this simply perfect card, the only one on earth to reside in such a slab. Any further explication of the card is superfluous. It's perfect. The end.
1966 Topps Sandy Koufax #100 PSA Mint 9 Talk about going out on top. This sports immortal posted a league and career-best 1.73 ERA in his final season of service, also topping the charts for wins (27), strike outs (317), complete games (27), shutouts (5), and finally, Cy Young Award votes. This stellar representation of Sandy's final Topps card is one of only 14 to gain an unqualified Mint 9, with none graded higher by PSA.
1966 Topps Twins Team #526 PSA Mint 9 Despite the efforts of Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva and Mudcat Grant, the Twins couldn't catch the Orioles this season, finishing the season in second behind the eventual World Champs. This card, however, takes a back seat to nobody, ranking as one of only nine such cards to see a Mint 9 slab, with none grading higher.
1967 Topps Tom Seaver Rookie #581 SGC NM+ 86 Little could anyone have known, when this card was issued in 1967, just what a contribution the kid on the right side of this card would make to the game. This tough high-number rookie is cut at an almost imperceptible angle, which is surely what accounts for the minor deduction in grade. Otherwise the card is clean, glossy, with sharp corners and edges. Flaws are very hard to spot.
1968 Topps Manager's Dream Oliva - Cardenas - Clemente PSA Mint 9 It's a collector's dream as well. With sharp corners, precise centering, and an image as crisp as an October day at the ballpark, you'll think you're back in '68, just pulling this card out of the wax.
1968 Topps 3-D Bob Clemente SGC EX 60 This super-cool and super-rare Clemente test issue card is almost never seen in the hobby due to its limited production and distribution, explaining why only five have ever been slabbed by SGC. This beauty presents Near Mint or better, but has a fraction of paper loss on the reverse corner explaining the EX grade. Just a single representation has ever graded higher from SGC.
1969 Topps Mickey Mantle #500 GAI NM-MT+ 8.5 Say it ain't so, Mick! Even the issuing of a Topps baseball card this season couldn't convince the Yankees legend to change his mind and lace up his spikes one more season, leaving the career-to-date statistics on the back of this card the final ones that are posted in the Hall of Fame. It's hard to determine what kept this beauty out of a mint holder, as centering, color, gloss, corners and edges show not a single hint of a negative.
1970 Topps Willie Mays #600 BVG Mint 9 He was at an even 600 home runs when this card was printed, and you can see that he still had the determination in his eyes that made him Rookie of the Year in 1951. This representation of one of his later Topps cards was likely moved straight from the pack to the holder, as there is no discernible wear to be found. This beauty is very deserving of it's mint designation.
1972-75 Topps Baseball Complete Set Run (4) Relive the disco era with four sets of high-grade cards from the famous house of Topps. The 1972 set ranges from EX to NRMT, spread equally over that range. Sixteen cards are missing from the 1973 set, with the balance leaning heavily toward EX, with some better and few worse. The 1974 set is beyond complete, with even the San Diego Padres' "Washington Nat'l Lea." variations and the traded set included. A strong EX-MT average. Finally, the 1975 Minis are missing sixteen cards, with the remaining 600+ cards EX-MT and better but for a few exceptions.
1978 Topps Rookie Shortstops GAI Gem Mint 9.5 The best Paul Molitor rookie card on earth? It very well could be. Four perfectly sharp corners, free of print defects, even borders, and a flawless verso. If you tell us you have a better one, we'll call you a liar.
Football Cards
1948 Bowman Football Complete Set with PSA Graded Stars A solid collector's set of mid-range cards from this early football issue. Consistency is the key here, with all of the 108 cards in the set falling squarely within the VG to EX range. The same is true of the four cards graded by PSA: Pihos VG 3, Ray and Lujack PSA 4, and Baugh PSA 5.
1957 Topps John Unitas #139 PSA Mint 9 How rare is this card? Let's do the math: with 943 submitted to PSA as of this writing, just six have gained the grade of 9, with none higher. That represents just over one-half of one percent of this slabbed rookie that made this cut. The slightly rough factory cut at top and bottom and all but imperceptible toning account for the only so-called downside; the color, gloss, registration, centering and surfaces are pack fresh. If there is a better specimen available, it hasn't surfaced yet.
1959 Topps Football Complete Set with PSA Graded Stars Keep flipping through the 41 graded cards in this popular set, and it keeps getting better and better. The number one Unitas card takes a respectable PSA 6, but a few cards later it's Jim Brown at PSA 9! Then the next card, Ray Mathews, is an outrageous PSA 10! So is Joe Childress and Mel Triplett. There are so many big dollar cards here: Starr, Layne, Summerall, Huff, Groza, Karras (PSA 8), Stautner, Hornung o/c, Tittle, Sandusky, LeBaron (PSA 9). In fact, Johnny U. is the only PSA card that doesn't nab at least a NM-MT grade! That's 40 ultra-high grade beauties. The ungraded balance of the set grades a consistent Near Mint.
1965 Topps Joe Namath #122 SGC NM/MT 88 Broadway Joe made perhaps the boldest boast in the history of the NFL when he guaranteed a win in Super Bowl III, but as a Hall of Famer from another league, Dizzy Dean, once said, "It ain't braggin' if you can do it." One of the coolest rookie cards ever is this oversized 1965 Topps, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. With perfect centering, a bright, glossy finish and four strong corners, it's easy to see why this one ranks below only eight others in SGC's history.
1972 Topps Football Complete Set A high-grade set (EX/MT to NRMT) absolutely bursting with rookie appeal. Staubach, Riggins, Spurrier, Plunkett and Manning all made their cardboard debuts in this issue beloved for its bold, simple graphics. Interestingly, this 351-card issue was the last to be issued in series form. The third series is also interestingly, is the highest grade section of the set. This series is so scarce (with no card from 264 to 351 booking below $20) that this issue is far and away the most difficult and expensive of all sets from this decade.
Football Collectibles
1974 Topps Joe Namath Unissued Proof Card Contract disputes kept one of the biggest names in the game out of the '74 Topps Football set, but if you're curious, this is what it would have looked like. This very rare proof is blank on the back, but the front offers a close up photographic portrait of the man with the best head of hair in the game, framed within the set's distinctive goalpost motif. Lightly rounded corners grade this rarity a technical EX, but try to find another one. You won't.
Football Cards
1971 and 1973-77 Topps Football Complete Set Run Lot of 6 The 1972 set is so nice that we'll offer that one separately in this auction, but these sets are no slouches either. All of the great stars of the decade are here: Bradshaw, Staubach, Simpson, Tarkenton, Fouts. Plus lots of important rookies like Payton, Zorn, Lambert, Theismann Carmichael. Break down is as follows: 1971 EX, 1973 NM, 1974 NM, 1975 EX/MT, 1976 NM/MT, 1977 NM/MT.
1990 Score Supplemental Emmitt Smith #101T Gem Mint Graded Cards (3) Two different grading services, the same great result. The career yardage leader and guaranteed first-round Canton inductee struts his stuff on his rookie card, long before anybody could have possibly imagined that he would someday be king. The PSA slab rates these two a perfect "10," while Beckett certified the other specimen an even more rare "9.5." So Minty, they'll give you fresh breath to last all day.
Football Collectibles
1929 Knute Rockne - Glenn "Pop" Warner Signed Diploma Contrary to the old saying, It seems that "those who can" actually do teach as well. Two of the biggest names in Jazz Age football joined forces to form the "Warner-Rockne Coaching School" at Southern Methodist University in the summer of 1929, eager to bring their wisdom to a new generation of team leaders. This diploma was issued to a student who successfully completed the course of study, and is signed at the bottom by both legendary sporting figures and two members of the SMU staff. The document is a little rough around the edges, literally, and has some scattered staining and a center vertical crease, but the two all-important signatures are blissfully unmolested by all of it, and remain in flawless condition. Measures 8.5" x 11" in size. LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
"Touchdown" Vintage Movie Poster (Paramount, 1931) This gridiron drama tells the story of a college football coach known as Dastardly Dan Curtis, who will stop at nothing to win, even sending in an injured player. The team wins the big game, but when the player is hospitalized afterwards, it motivates the coach to change his ways. The film includes clips of several football legends including Roy Riegels, Howard Jones, Russ Saunders, and the legendary Jim Thorpe. The poster has some separation on the fold lines, with a touch of paper loss at the intersections, pinholes, minor tears, and slight paper loss on the bottom two corners. The poster has been professionally restored and displays very well. Fine/Very Fine on Linen.
"Pop" Warner, Knute Rockne, Tad Jones, & Jim Thorpe Signed Football Humidor We only wish we knew what event it was that brought these greatest of early gridiron legends together. Certainly it was a highly publicized and well-attended banquet that would have featured such esteemed guests as these, but our search for specifics has been fruitless. And while it seems that the details of this date have been lost to the sands of time, one witness has thankfully survived -- a charmingly crafted humidor, built from an actual Spalding Official Collegiate football, bearing the black ink signatures of these legendary football pioneers. While the appearance of even one of these gentlemen's signatures on such a fine piece would be cause for celebration, a collection like this is enough to leave a serious hobbyist speechless. And note just how special the signatures are, with each adding his college name at the end of his autograph. "Glenn Warner - Stanford. Knute Rockne - Notre Dame. Jim Thorpe - Carlisle." The fourth autograph belongs to "Tad Jones - Yale," who, while he may not have the name recognition of his three compatriots, was a dominant All-American quarterback with Yale from 1905 through 1907, leading the Bulldogs to twenty-eight wins and two ties in thirty games. Surely it was due to this dominance that he was ask to share this football's side panel with these titans of the sport. He later coached at Yale for nine seasons -- compiling a record of 60 wins, with a mere 15 loses and 4 ties. We are pleased to announce that the autographs, signed with a black steel tip fountain pen, have weathered the passing decades exceedingly well. We would not hesitate to claim that not a single one grades below a conservative 8.5/10, and many would state that each and every one is simply perfect. The ball itself is equally well preserved, writting off any small scattered nicks in the leather as casualties of the ball's game use. No wear affects any signature in the slightest. As football continues to assert itself as the most popular viewer sport in this country, we anticipate that the demand for quality vintage memorabilia from the gridiron will continue to grow. The supply is infinitely smaller than that of our national pastime, leaving this spectacular piece quite near the pinnacle when it comes to rarity and desirability. A solid investment for the future. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1930s Legends of Football Signed Government Postcard Collection (6) An unbelievable selection of early gridiron autographs, all acquired either through the mail or in person by a zealous collector. 1) Ernie Nevers. Postmarked "Feb. 6, 1934," and signed in 10/10 black ink, "Very Sincerely, 'Ernie' Nevers." A Stanford All-American and Hall of Fame Charter enshrinee. 2) Jay Berwanger. Postmarked "Jan. 3, 1936" and signed in 10/10 black ink. An All-American halfback at the University of Chicago and the first Heisman Trophy winner. 3) Amos Alonzo Stagg. Postmarked "Jan. 26, 1935" and signed in 10/10 black ink. Great coach and All-America First Team, 1889. 4) Clarence "Ace" Parker. Postmarked "Dec. 11, 1936 from "Duke Sta., Durham, NC" where Parker was a star quarterback before his Hall of Fame professional career. His autograph reads, "Clarence 'Ace' Parker, Duke University" in 10/10 ink. 5) Hank Bruder. Signed in 10/10 pencil on a piece of unlined paper. Enshrined in Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. 6) 1930's Green Bay Packers. Gantenbein, Herber ( Pro Football HOF), Grove, Michalske and Bruder are together in 9/10 pencil on a lined sheet. All postcards and paper show even age-toning, with no significant creases, tears or staining. LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1946 National Football League Championship Game Program Simply one of the finest such specimens on earth. The historic game saw Chicago Bears Coach George Halas direct Hall of Fame quarterback Sid Luckman to a 24-14 victory over the New York Giants, cementing its place in history as one of the League's most famous events. The amazing NRMT-MT program from this date shows absolutely no creasing, tearing, staining or damage of any sort. Amazingly, even the separate printed inserts listing probable starting line-ups, statistic sheets, and even a page used to calculate each player's share of the bonus money are here, also in perfect condition.
1950 Sammy Baugh Signed Standard Players Contract The paperwork that brought the Hall of Fame quarterback on board for the 14th of his 16 years of service to the Washington Redskins. The contract explains that "Samuel Adrian Baugh" will be paid $11,000 for "the football season commencing in 1950." Dated 11/17/49, the contract is signed in perfect blue ink at the close by Baugh. Perhaps equally exciting is the equally strong countersignature of fellow Hall of Fame resident George Marshall, a notoriously difficult football autograph, and the founder of the Boston Braves, which would become the Boston Redskins, before finally making a home in our nation's capital. The contract itself offers no tears, staining or creasing other than the original mailing folds. The envelope that once housed it, an official team letterhead variety penned with Baugh's name and the word "Important," is included. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1950 Sammy Baugh Signed Contract Rider Dating from the same November 17, 1949 meeting that produced the Standard Players Contract, comes this addendum to the agreement between Baugh and the Washington Redskins. This interesting piece looks to be the written declaration of a side deal to pay 'Slingin' Sammy' a bonus that was not stipulated in the players contract. Written in the form of a letter from team president George Marshall to Baugh, it states that Baugh will receive $3,000 in 1950 for his participation in preseason games. "If agreeable to you," it reads, "please sign at the bottom of this letter in the space provided." Marshall's closing signature and Baugh's signature of compliance are each in perfect 10/10 blue ink. The "letter," on team letterhead, is equally strong. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1950s -- 60s Ernie Stautner Document Archive. Lot of 3 Though considered too small by many football scouts who considered the Boston College lineman, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a risk that paid dividends for many seasons to come when they drafted Stautner in the second round of the 1950 draft. His gridiron exploits earned Stautner a much-deserved plaque at Canton, and have supplied this auction with three exciting pieces from his days in Steeltown. 1) 1952 Standard Players Contract. Document finalizes a salary of $6,500. for Stautner's services for the 1952 season. Signed at the close by Stautner in perfect blue ink. Contract is NRMT. 2) 1953 Pro Bowl Contract. Actually a contract and notification letter in one. It begins, "You have been selected as a member of the All-Star squad of the American Conference. This is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a player." It then goes on to detail hotel accommodations, equipment, and salary ($600 for winners, $500 for losers). Stautner's perfect blue ink signature at the close is his confirmation that he will accept the honor. Some staining to right edge of page does not affect any text, and otherwise contract and original mailing envelope are EX. Two other typed pages discussing other details of the game and Stautner's benefits are included, EX-MT. 3) 1962 typed letter on team letterhead, signed by Coach Bud Parker. He writes to Stautner, in part, "Raises in salary are wonderful when merited by play and availability. The more individuals that get raises, the better the team standing. Note our 1961 standing-6 Won, 8 Lost." Letter and signature are NRMT; original mailing envelope EX. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1954 Cleveland Browns Team Signed Sheet As any knowledgeable football autograph collector will tell you, team signed sheets are tough, and all but nonexistent from the 1950's or earlier. So it's quite a thrill to find any of this era, much less one from an NFL Championship team. The squad that closed out a 9-3 record with a dismantling of the Detroit Lions in the Championship game by a score of 56-10 appears together on this 6" x 9" page in vintage ink. Over 40 blue ink autographs rank in the 9/10 range, except for five which are affected by water droplets that have made the ink bleed. Hardest hit, sadly, is Hall of Famer Frank Gatski, though the others affected are lesser players, leaving fellow Cantonites Len Ford (very rare!), Mike McCormick, Otto Graham, Marion Motley and Chuck Noll in tip-top shape. Missing are the great Coach Brown and Dante Lavelli, though the latter could still be had by an enterprising autograph hunter. Tape at the corners touches four autographs, with the final two letters of Graham's signature unobtrusively crossed. The page otherwise shows mild wrinkling that does very little to detract. Not a Mint specimen, but very strong, and terrifically rare. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1960-61 Houston Oilers A.F.L. Championship Presentational Watch This fine "Wittnauer" watch marks an historic period in the history of the Houston Oilers franchise, and that of the storied American Football League itself. The face is embossed with the words, "Houston Oilers, 60-61 A.F.L. Champs, John W. Breen." Breen is generally considered one of the most important figures in the success of the franchise during this era. It was Breen who brought in veterans like George Blanda, John Carson, and Willard Dewveall, along with such rookies as Billy Cannon, Dan Lanphear, and Charley Hennigan. With this arsenal, the club was unstoppable. With the exception of some foxing to the watch face, which could likely be cleaned by a professional, the watch is in splendid, working condition. The crystal bears not a single scratch or crack, and the original band looks to be completely unused.
1962 Touchdown Club Awards Dinner Multi-Signed Football A star-studded event in our nation's capital, paying tribute to the gridiron's greatest. This historic Spalding football bears the strong blue ink signatures of well over fifty of the banquet's attendees, most notably the Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson (whose signature contrasts perfectly against the white striping of the ball), Bobby Mitchell, Carl Albert, broadcaster Bill Stern, and Baseball Hall of Famers Whitey Ford and Stan Musial. The vast majority of the signatures rate 8/10 or better, with only a few (and none listed) that drop below that mark. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
1965 Boston Patriots Stock Certificate An incredibly scarce certificate dating from the days before the Patriots' domain was extended to all of New England, and the AFL it represented stood alone in competition with the League that would swallow it in a few years time. The 8" x 12" laminated page certifies that "George Kelleher is the owner of Five fully-paid and non-assessable shares of the Common Stock (non-voting) of American League Professional Football Team of Boston, Inc." A particularly demonic team logo appears at top center. With the team having been owned privately for over 30 years now, an offering such as this becomes all the more rare. Some creasing and mild foxing does little to detract.
Football Collectibles
1964 Cleveland Browns Original Championship Banner from Municipal Stadium "Colossal" defines the offered piece in terms of both its dimensions and its importance in the annals of gridiron lore. 1964 was a truly special season for the National Football League, and for the Cleveland Browns in particular, who bulldozed through a 10-3-1 season on the back of Hall of Fame rusher Jim Brown, only to face what football scholars considered an unstoppable force in the form of the Baltimore Colts in the Championship game. After a first half that ended in a scoreless virtual stalemate, the Browns posted a field goal early in the third quarter, and the flood gates opened. Twenty-four unanswered points later, the Cleveland Browns were atop the football world, playing David to the Colts' Goliath in one of the most unlikely shut-outs in the history of the game. Little could the fans of Cleveland have known that they would still be awaiting another taste of Championship glory forty seasons afterwards. Measuring a titanic 6' high and 18' wide, this nylon banner was presented by the League to the victorious Browns at the start of the 1965 season, at which point it was lofted high above the Municipal Stadium field, catching the wind that flowed from the surface of Lake Erie. Bold block lettering sewn to the brown nylon big enough to be seen from any seat in the house announced, "National Football League, World Champions, 1964." The NFL seal resides at center, on a field of Cleveland brown, orange and white. Though showing the expected effects of days in a wintery climate, the banner remains in spectacular condition, free of anything that could be accurately described as damage. In short, one couldn't ask for better from this four decade-old relic. Our consignor's letter details some of the research he has done on the piece, noting that the Browns asked to borrow it, since they don't even have the 1964 trophy anymore, and that the Pro Football Hall of Fame confirmed that the dimensions were the same as other specimens given to World Championship teams of the era, and that they had no doubt as to its authenticity. We'll leave it to the discretion of the winning bidder as to whether he wishes to ingratiate himself to Cleveland or Canton with the loan of this special artifact.
Colts - Jets Super Bowl III Program When Joe Namath guaranteed the Jets would win Super Bowl III everyone thought he was being brash. Everyone that is except his Jet teammates that went on to fulfill his prediction with a stunning upset victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. Here's the official program from that historic game. With the exception of some minor cover wear this program is in terrific condition.
Joe Namath 1968 Original Leroy Neiman Painting Unquestionably one of the finest pieces of sports artwork to reach the auction block in quite some time. And, of course, it goes without saying that any work that could back up such a boast would have to come from the hand of Leroy Neiman, the most celebrated sports artist of all time, and certainly one of the most famous living artists in the world. His vibrant, colorful style captures the kinetic energy of athletics better than any other artist could, and while dozens have mimicked Neiman's distinctive brushwork, none could approach his level of mastery. While any painting from this living master is endowed with great value, there are several factors that lift this particular work even higher, among the most desirable of Neiman's sizable oeuvre. Primarily, we must consider the subject, a Hall of Fame hero from the city of New York whose brash, inventive style of play earned him notoriety and admiration far beyond the five boroughs. Next, the handwritten date of "'68" beside Neiman's autograph at lower right sets the piece right at the height of Namath's appeal, the season that ended with a Super Bowl III promise of victory -- which the leader of the underdog Jets delivered. Furthermore, we can see an important stage in the evolution of Neiman's style. The methodology is quite the same as his later works, but scholars of Neiman's art will instantly recognize this as decades old. Finally, the image itself, with Broadway Joe's blue eyes peering out from a chaotic swarm of green, is pure visual poetry. No catalog photograph could possibly do justice -- this piece needs to be seen and studied to be fully appreciated. The oil on artist's board painting measures 19.5" x 28" and has been signed and dated in the lower right corner "LeRoy Neiman '68" with the title "Namath". Mounted and framed to dimensions of 26" x 33".
1960's Green Bay Packers Multi-Signed "Super Bowl" Book Led by the invincible Vince Lombardi, each of the more than twenty-five former Packers who signed an opening page of this hardcover volume in perfect silver sharpie tasted World Championship glory. The gorgeous display of autographs includes Ray Nitschke, Jim Taylor, Willie Wood, Willie Davis, Jerry Kramer, Bart Starr, Fuzzy Thurston, Boyd Dowler, Herb Adderly and many more. The book itself is missing its dust jacket, but is otherwise in fine condition.
1996 Green Bay Packers Team Signed Helmet The "Pack Was Back" in 1996 racking up 13 victories against only 3 defeats to claim first place in the NFC Central Division. From there the Packers went on to defeat the New England Patriots 35-21 in Super Bowl XXXI, bringing the Lombardi Trophy back home to Green Bay. This yellow VSR-2 Riddell helmet dates to the mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Packers" lettered along the front and back bumpers. The NFL - Pete shield appears on the back. The helmet has been signed by 15 members of the 1996 Green Bay Packers including future Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Farve, Edgar Bennett, Antonio Freeman and Santana Dotson. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Johnny "Blood" McNally Signed Photograph Protecting his college eligibility, McNally entered the world of professional football under the alias "Blood," a name he stole from a marquis advertising a Valentino film called "Blood and Sand." And so, for 14 seasons in the NFL, "Johnny Blood" was a halfback of Hall of Fame quality. This terrific image of McNally in his prime was extensively inscribed for a friend in 10/10 black felt tip, "Thank you! Jim, It's been great fun, Johnny Blood McNally, New Richmond, Wis!" A charming and utterly original piece from a charming and utterly original player. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Quarterback Legends Multi-Signed Football The game is won and lost on the arms of the men taking the snaps, and when it comes to the thirty-two players who signed this white paneled pigskin in perfect black sharpie, the game was typically won. The Mint football features: Ken Anderson, Blanda, Bratkowski, Conerly, Dawson, Dickey, Ferguson, Ferragamo, Gabriel, Graham, Grogan, Harris, Hart, Charley Johnson, Bert Jones, Jurgensen, Kilmer, Lamonica, Manning, Morrall, Morton, Nielsen, Pastorini, Plunkett, Snead, Theismann, Tittle, Unitas, Wade, White, Doug Williams and Zorn. Original paperwork from the famous signing event is included. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Bob Brown Signed Goal Line Art Cards. Lot of 25 From Philly to Los Angeles to Oakland, this man dominated the game. His recent Canton induction is recognized with this collection of cards issued by the Football Hall of Fame, of which only 50 Artist's Proofs are numbered and signed by each inductee. This represents half of them (the other half is also in the auction). Each is inscribed "Bob Brown #76, HOF 2004." LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Bob Brown "The Boomer" Signed Goal Line Art Cards. Lot of 25 This 10-season veteran of the Eagles, Rams and Raiders defensive line was enshrined at Canton just a few weeks ago. Get a jump on the competition with this collection of cards issued by the Football Hall of Fame, of which only 50 Artist's Proofs are numbered and signed by each inductee. This represents half of them (the other half is also in the auction). Each is inscribed "Bob Brown #76, 'The Boomer,' H.O.F. 2004." LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hall of Famers Multi-Signed Football A labor of love for a football fan and autograph collector who toted this Official NFL white paneled pigskin to dozens of signing events to collect twenty-nine perfect black ink signatures from the greatest gridiron legends. All but two have added the year of their inductions to their autographs. Present are: Bednarik, Trippi, Stan Jones, Lavelli, Houston, Willie Brown, Maynard, Charley Taylor, Kelly, Parker, Perry, Stautner, Fears, Motley, Sayers, Pihos, John Henry Johnson, Lane, St. Clair, Lanier, Larry Wilson, Renfro, Stenerud, Mackey, Dawson, Matson, Rosie Brown, Eubank and Upshaw. Now it's up to you to go get the rest. Any Canton resident would be pleased and honored to add his name to this fine piece. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Legends Autographed Print The Dallas Cowboys entered the NFL in 1960 under the leadership and direction of coach Tom Landry. After struggling through the first few seasons the team galvanized, creating a winning legacy that continues until this day. The quarterback position of the Dallas Cowboys is one of the highest profile positions in the NFL. This lithograph represents six of the Dallas quarterbacks whose legacy of excellence has been passed down through years: Eddie Lebaron, Don Meredith, Craig Morton, Roger Staubach, Danny White, and Troy Aikman. Each has boldly signed below their respected image at the bottom. This beautiful limited edition litho is number 217/500 and measures 19.5" x 25.5". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1988-2004 Super Bowl High-Grade Full Ticket Run. Lot of 17 A fascinating collection you certainly won't see every day. It took a good bit of work to track down unused tickets from Super Bowl XXII through XXXVIII, but our consignor did it, then had them graded and slabbed by PSA. Breakdown is as follows. PSA 7: XXV. PSA 8: XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXXI, XXXV, XXXVI, XXXVII, XXXVIII. PSA 9: XXX, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV.
1996 Super Bowl XXX Full Ticket PSA Mint 9 A fairly new development in the hobby, but a great one. PSA, the noted card grading service, has expanded to slabbing tickets as well, offering this fine specimen from the January 28, 1996 game a Mint 9 designation. This unblemished example is in top condition and will make a great addition to any ticket collection.
1998 Super Bowl XXXII Full Ticket PSA Mint 9. Elway finally got his Championship ring in this memorable game.It's hard to imagine who would fail to use a Super Bowl ticket, but thankfully for condition sensitive collectors somebody did. PSA has encapsulated this flawless specimen in a Mint 9 slab.
1999 Super Bowl XXXIII Full Ticket PSA Mint 9 Elway and the Broncos defend their World Championship with a victory over the Falcons under the South Florida sun. Rare and beautiful unused ticket from the game is preserved forever in a Mint 9 capsule.
2000 Super Bowl XXXIV Full Ticket PSA Mint 9 Kurt Warner completes his Cinderella story, as he goes from stocking grocery store shelves to piloting his Rams to January glory. Flawless, unused ticket to the Georgia Dome event is slabbed Mint 9 by PSA.
1998 Football Hall of Famers Signed Card Set. Lot of 116 In 1998, Ron Mix and his wife undertook the monumental task of assembling all living football Hall of Famers for the purpose of creating this very special signed set. A beautiful artistic work was created for each athlete, who then signed the beautifully crafted 4" x 6" cards that were printed using that image. Each features the artistic rendering of the athlete on front, and his career statistics on verso. Every grey sharpie signature in the set of 116 cards is flawless, as are the cards themselves. All are assigned the same number of a limited edition of 2500. Far too many legends to list! LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Walter Payton's Camouflage Hunting Fatigues The Hall of Fame running back was an avid hunter and gun collector, earning him the nickname "Rambo" among those who knew him well. This camo hunting outfit was sold at the June 2003 estate auction of Payton's massive personal arsenal. The heavy cotton shirt and matching pants show fine wear from days in the woods, and are accompanied by a notarized letter of authenticity signed by two members of the Payton family, and assorted paperwork from the auction event.
1930s Big Ten College Football Signed Government Postcard Collection (4) Another incredible assortment of early college autographs, this time relating to the gridiron (see our college basketball collection also in this auction). 1) University of Indiana (not postmarked). Thirteen signatures include Basketball Hall of Famer Everett Dean and Vernon Huffman, All-Big Ten halfback and Detroit Lion. 2) University of Minnesota (Dec. 11, 1936, Saint Paul, Minn.). Eleven signatures include later Oklahoma head coach Bud Wilkinson and Minnesota head coach Bernie Bierman. 3) University of Michigan (Nov. 13, 1934, Ann Arbor, Mich.). Four signatures include All-American and Michigan head coach Bennie Oosterbaan and the great Harry Kipke. 4) Benny Friedman (Nov. 20, 1934, Grandcent Annex, N.Y.). Inscription from the Michigan quarterback reads, "To Carl Schmidt, Sincerely, Benny Friedman." All signatures are 9/10 or better, and postcards show toning from age, but no real damage. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1944 Georgia Tech Team Signed Five-Million Dollar Sugar Bowl Game Used Football The most expensive piece of sports memorabilia in the world. An Atlanta banker won this ball, used in Georgia Tech's dramatic Sugar Bowl victory over Tulsa in 1944, with a bid of $5,000,000, invested in war bonds to help the boys overseas. His generosity earned him ownership of the historic pigskin, and a kiss from silver screen star Jane Withers. Withers posed with the ball in a 1944 newspaper and another photograph, both of which are included in this lot. Happily, the ball shows no difference in appearance from the day it was held aloft by the eighteen-year old girl who used to play opposite Shirley Temple in films during the 1930s. Twenty-three of the men who earned that historic twenty to eighteen victory on New Year's Day, 1944 appear in jet black fountain pen, including W.A. Alexander, Bobby Dodd, Mike Benton, Bob Gaston, Charlie Hoover, Mickey Logan and Frank Broyles. If it was worth five million dollars six decades ago, imagine what this ball is worth now! LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1971 University of Nebraska Team Signed Football Named by the sports television network ESPN (and countless thousands of football fans) the Greatest College Team of All-Time, the Huskers of 1971 are flawlessly represented here on this Wilson football holding over sixty-five magnificent (8/10 or better) autographs from the storied squad. The team that fought to a 35-31 win over Oklahoma on Thanksgiving day in one of the most famous games in NCAA history ended the season with an Orange Bowl victory after posting a 13-0 record, cementing a legacy that remains as strong as ever over three decades later. All of the essentials are here: the unstoppable kick returner and wide receiver Johnny Rodgers, Coach Bob Devany, the dependable quarterback Jerry Tagge, and nose tackle Rich Glover, with future Cornhucker coach and Nebraska Congressman Tom Osborne. Without a doubt, this is the most complete and high-grade specimen to derive from this historic team. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1978 Alabama Crimson Tide National Champions Team Signed Football The 1978 edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide football squad finished the season with a record of 11-1-0 and was voted National Champions by most of the college football polls, only UPI and Sporting News cast dissenting votes for Southern California. This awesome team signed football contains over 80 signatures including a large, bold signature from Alabama football coaching legend Paul "Bear" Bryant. Other signatures include Athletic Director Nat Moore, All-Americans and NFL standouts Marty Lyons and Dwight Stephenson, QB Jeff Rutledge, RB Tony Nathan, FB Major Oglivie, TE E.J. Junior, and a full cast of other team members. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1979 Cotton Bowl Signed Football with Joe Montana One of the last autographs ever signed by this Hall of Fame quarterback as a member of the Notre Dame Fightin' Irish. This beautifully painted football, commemorating the most famous Cotton Bowl in history and one of the best college football games ever played, features well over fifty autographs from members of both the Notre Dame and Houston team, most notably a 6/10 signature from Mr. Montana himself. Who could forget the incredible comeback he orchestrated in his final collegiate game? After missing the first two offensive series of the second half to hypothermia, Montana battled below zero wind chill conditions and the opposition to salvage a win for Notre Dame from the abyss of a 34-12 deficit with just 7:37 remaining in the game. A star was born that day, and this rare and beautiful piece serves to properly honor this gridiron legend's finest NCAA moment. After not being drafted until the 82nd pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, Joe "Cool" would go on to lead the 49ers to four Super Bowl victories, personally capturing the Super Bowl MVP Award a record three times. The three white panels of the football exhibit significant crazing, but the autographs are not adversely affected by this, and range from 3/10 to 9/10, with most on the higher end of the scale. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Roger Staubach 1967 Game-Worn Pensacola Navy Sideline Jacket A spectacular pre-rookie game worn item from the Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback! This incredible sidelines jacket kept the legendary quarterback warm when the defense of the Pensacola Navy Goshawks was on the field, and predates Roger's ascension to the NFL gridiron by two years. The heavy cotton hooded jacket shows fine wear with no damage, and has screen printed "Pensacola Navy 12" on verso. "Champion Knitwear Size Large" tagging is inside the collar, above a huge and perfect black sharpie inscription reading, "To my teammate Dallas Parks, Best Wishes, Roger Staubach." Interestingly, Mr. Parks, who consigned this rare piece, went on to have a successful career as a Major League Baseball umpire after leaving the Naval Academy. Along with his personal letter of authenticity, he has supplied us with numerous photographs of Staubach signing the jacket, including one with Staubach and Parks each holding the jacket up for a photograph, which Roger then signed, "To Dallas, Best Wishes to my Pensacola teammate, Roger Staubach." You simply cannot beat this sort of provenance! This jacket is the only game worn item we've ever seen that dates from the period of Staubach's post-collegiate military service. Included in the lot is a complete uniform (jersey, pants and socks) from that 1967 team, though these should be considered for display only, and did not belong to Staubach. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Sonny Jurgensen 1974 Final Game-Worn Cleats The included letter of authenticity, signed by the Hall of Fame quarterback himself, reads, "This letter will serve to authenticate the fact that the two pairs of game shoes you obtained from me were the ones used in my last season, 1974 with the spikes used on grass and the other used on Astroturf." We offer the former here, and as Sonny saw a strong 10-4 season come to a close in Los Angeles in a Divisional Playoff game loss to the Rams on grass, we can then surmise that these shoes are the very last ones worn by Jurgensen in his storied career. Further evidence, notably the blue field paint still clinging to the soles of the shoes, seems to back up this contention. There's certainly a full season's worth of wear here, and the black leather, painted Redskin maroon, displays fine wear. Number "9" is markered inside each Riddell shoe, and we'd estimate the size between ten and eleven. When Sonny hung up his cleats for good, these are the ones he hung up! LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
1972 Miami Dolphins Team-Signed Helmet A few teams in the history of the NFL have come close to "the perfect season," but only one has achieved the distinction of ending the season without a blemish, recording no losses or no ties. The 1972 Miami Dolphins' resolve to obtain a championship had been forged following their 24-3 defeat by Dallas in Super Bowl VI. This resolve never wavered though the 17 games played that season, recording not only the perfect season but capturing a Super Bowl victory as well. Offered here is a non-official full sized helmet, replicating the one Csonka wore, boldly signed by 36 members of that historic team. Some of the great names include: Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick, Mercury Morris, Larry Little, Earl Morrall, Paul Warfield and the list goes on. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Don Shula Autographed Miami Dolphins Helmet Shula retired as the winningest coach in NFL history with a regular-season record of 328-156-6, .676 win percentage and a overall record of 347-173-6, .665 win percentage. He coached from 1963-1969 with the Baltimore Colts and from 1970-1995 with the Miami Dolphins. He's the only coach to ever have a perfect season in the history of the NFL, a feat he accomplished in 1972, leading the Dolphins to a 17-0 record. Offered here is a wonderful Riddell pro-style helmet that has the Dolphins logo on one side and the "Don Shula 325 Career Victories November 14, 1993" emblem on the other side. The helmet has been boldly signed by Shula who also added, "17-0 72" and "H.O.F. 7-26-97" An excellent commemorative for any Dolphins fan. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
New Orleans Saints Game-Used Autographed Helmet The past and present come together on this official game-used helmet that has been boldly signed, "Peace & Love Earl Campbell" and also signed by Ricky Williams, who adds "Go Saints! #34". This gold Riddell helmet dates to the late 80s - early 90s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Saints" lettered along the custom back bumper. The NFL shield appears on the back of the helmet, which was game-worn by an unidentified member of the team. Affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows moderate game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Atlanta Falcons Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used helmet boldly signed by 5-time Pro Bowler Tommy Nobis who played 11 seasons for the Falcons from 1966 to 1976. This red Riddell helmet dates to the late 80s/early 90s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Falcons" lettered along the custom back bumper. The number "70" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield. The interior has the VRS-2 padding system. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage, possibly used in 1994 as a throwback. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Atlanta Falcons Game-Used Helmet This black Riddell helmet dates to the late 1980s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Falcons" lettered along the custom front and back bumpers. The number "70" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield and warning label. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage. This helmet may have also been used in 1994 as a "throwback". LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
San Francisco 49ers Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used San Francisco 49ers helmet boldly signed by four-time Pro Bowler Gene Washington, two-time Pro Bowler Dwight Clark and Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott. This gold Riddell helmet dates to the mid 80s/early 90s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "49ers" lettered along the front bumper. The NFL shield appears on the back of the helmet. Affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Philadelphia Eagles Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used helmet boldly signed in gold sharpie by Herschel Walker. Walker played for the Eagles in the 1992-94 seasons leading the team in rushing all three years. This green Riddell helmet dates from the late 80s/early 90s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Eagles" lettered along the custom back bumper. The NFL shield appears on the back of the helmet which was game-worn by an unidentified member of the team. Affixed to the interior is a "Circle Helmet" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and a generic chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Denver Broncos Game-Used Autographed Helmet A game-used helmet signed by four members of the Denver Broncos "Ring of Fame" including; Floyd Little, Tom Jackson, Charley Johnson and Billy Thompson. Steve Sewell's signature also appears on the helmet. This official Riddell helmet dates to the late 80s/early 90s and features the team logo on each side. The number "44" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield. The helmet is complete with its original mask and chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Kansas City Chiefs Game-Used Autographed Helmet Here's an official game-used helmet of the Kansas City Chiefs that has been signed by four of their past superstars: Mike Garrett, Neil Smith, Marcus Allen, and Dan Saleaumua. This red Riddell helmet dates to the early 80s/mid 90s and features the team logo on each side. The NFL shield and warning label appears on the back side. Affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its ornate original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Walter Payton Mid-1980s Game-Worn Chicago Bears Jersey Prepare to do The Super Bowl Shuffle, as this spectacular representation of "Sweetness"' blue mesh gamer dates directly from the era of that unforgettable Championship season. Considered the most desirable style of all Payton game worn jerseys, this specimen jumps ahead of the rare few that exist today with the offering of tremendous wear, particularly evident in the team repairs to the right sleeve (multiple), left sleeve and chest. Various scuffs and scrapes are particularly centralized around the shoulder area. Number "34" is screened in orange and white to chest, sleeves and back, where "Payton" is screened across a plate on the shoulders. The memorial "GSH" for "Pappa Bear" George Halas is present on the left sleeve. Proper "Wilson [size] 46" tagging appears in the lower left front tail. Finally, a blue sharpie signature rounds out the package on the rear numerals. With a lightly used, and damaged, representation selling for over $9,000 at auction in March of this year, we expect great interest in this far superior example. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Chicago Bears Game-Used William Perry Autographed Helmet An official Chicago Bears game-used helmet signed by William "The Refrigerator" Perry. Perry's massive girth made him the ultimate run stopper on the defensive line. Mike Ditka also utilized Perry in short yardage situations, making him a superstar with his behemoth touchdown plunges. This black Riddell helmet dates to the early 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Bears" lettered along the custom back bumper. The NFL shield and warning label appears on the back of the helmet which was game-worn by an unidentified member of the team. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Buffalo Bills Game-Used Helmet This red Bike helmet dates to the early 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Bills" lettered along the custom front bumper. The number "94" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield and warning label. Affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Detroit Lions Game-Used Helmet Autographed By Barry Sanders Whenever the list is drawn to decide who's the greatest running back to ever play the game, Barry Sanders name will always appear toward the top. He made the Pro Bowl in each of the ten years he played and led the league four times in rushing. This official silver Riddell helmet dates to the early 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Lions" lettered along the custom back bumper. The number "70" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield. Also affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows moderate game usage. Sanders has boldly signed the helmet just above the logo. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Minnesota Vikings Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used Minnesota Vikings helmet signed by Herschel Walker and Warren Moon. The Dallas Cowboys traded the versatile Walker to the Vikings in a highly publicized trade in 1989. He remained with the Vikings through the 1991 season. Moon spent three years as Minnesota's quarterback from 1994 through 1996. This purple Riddell helmet dates to the early 90s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Vikings" lettered along the custom back bumper. The NFL shield and warning label appears on the back of the helmet, which was game-worn by an unidentified member of the team. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Oakland Raiders Game-Used Autographed Helmet Featured on this helmet are the autographs of six Raider all time greats: Jim Otto (HOF), Art Shell (HOF), Fred Biletnikoff (HOF), Howie Long (HOF), Willie Brown (HOF), and Jack Tatum. The signatures were all done in black sharpie. Jim Otto's signature has some light scuffing, but the rest of the autographs are in excellent condition. This official silver Riddell helmet dates to the early 90s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Raiders" lettered along the back bumper. The NFL shield also appears on the back of the helmet. Affixed to the interior are two "All American" reconditioning stickers. The helmet was later equipped with an earlier mask and the number "78" was added to the back, recreating the appearance of an "Art Shell" helmet. Nice overall wear, showing moderate game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmet boldly signed by Doug Williams who quarterbacked the Bucs for five seasons from 1978 to 1982. This white Riddell helmet dates to the early 1990s and features the team logo on each side and a blank custom back bumper. The NFL shield appears on the back of the helmet which was game-worn by an unidentified member of the team. The interior has VSR-4 padding. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Indianapolis Colts Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used Indianapolis Colts football helmet, boldly signed by the legendary runner Eric Dickerson and "a legend in the making" quarterback Peyton Manning. This white Riddell helmet dates to the early/mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Colts" lettered along the custom front and back bumpers. The number "78" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield. Also affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Adams chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Houston Oilers Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used Houston Oilers helmet boldly signed by Earl Campbell and Warren Moon. Campbell was a five-time Pro Bowler during his six seasons with the Oilers. His bruising style of rushing and ability to take punishment earned him a place in the Hall of Fame. Moon was a nine time Pro Bowler; six of these elections came during his days in Houston. Moon retired after the 2000 season and will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2006. This white Riddell helmet dates to the early/mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Oilers" lettered along the back bumper. The NFL shield appears on the back of the helmet which was game-worn by an unidentified member of the team. The interior features VSR-2 padding. The helmet is complete with its original mask and chinstrap and shows significant game usage. There is a Tennessee Oilers sticker on the back that post dates the helmet. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cincinnati Bengals Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official Cincinnati Bengals game-used helmet signed by four Cincinnati greats; Ken Anderson, Anthony Munoz, Archie Griffin and Peter Warrick. Munoz was considered by many to be the premier tackle during his 13 seasons of play in the NFL, resulting in 11 Pro Bowl selections. This orange Riddell helmet dates to the mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Bengals" lettered along the custom back bumper. The number "70" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield. Also affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows moderate game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Arizona Cardinals Game-Used Helmet This white Riddell, game-used helmet dates to the mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Cardinals" lettered along the back bumper. The number "71" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield and warning label. The helmet is complete with its original mask (which was probably replaced at some point) and Riddell chinstrap and shows moderate game usage. Rare XL shell. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
St. Louis Rams Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used helmet boldly signed by 6-time Pro bowler and Hall of Fame member Eric Dickerson. Dickerson was one of the premier running backs of the 1980s who set the single season rushing record in 1984 with 2105 yards on 379 carries for an average of 5.6 yards per carry. His signature appears on the top of the helmet, where he has beautifully signed his name with a gold sharpie. This blue Riddell helmet dates to the mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Rams" lettered along the front bumper. The NFL shield appears on the back of the helmet which was game-worn by an unidentified member of the team. Also affixed to the interior is a "Circle" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Adams chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Tony Boselli Game-Used Jacksonville Jaguars Helmet An official Riddell helmet, game-used by five-time Pro Bowler Tony Boselli. When healthy, Boselli was considered the premier left offensive tackle in the NFL. He allowed just 15.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Jaguars, who made him the second selection of the 1995 draft. This fantastic helmet has been autographed by 33 members of the 1997 Jaguars, including Boselli. This black Riddell helmet dates to the mid/late 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Jaguars" lettered along the custom back bumper. The number "71" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows moderate game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Junior Seau Game Used Autographed San Diego Chargers Helmet An incredible combination of speed, strength and desire, 11-time Pro Bowler Junior Seau is considered by many as the best linebacker in football today and one of the best in NFL history. This dark blue VSR-4 Riddell helmet dates to the mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Chargers" lettered along the custom front and back bumpers. The number "55" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield and warning label. Also affixed to the interior is a 1995 NFLP sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and chinstrap and shows minor game usage. Junior Seau has boldly signed the helmet with a silver sharpie. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from Mike Gutierrez & Bob Gryder/GAI and James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA.
Denver Broncos Game-Used Autographed Helmet An official game-used helmet autographed by Denver legend and nine-time Pro Bowler John Elway. During Elway's 16 seasons with the Broncos he led his team to five Super Bowls. His first championship was a thrilling 31-24 victory over the heavily favored Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII. Elway would go on to lead his team to a second Super Bowl victory a year later, capturing the Most Valuable Player honors in the process. This dark blue Riddell helmet dates to the late 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the Super Bowl logo sticker attached to the back bumper. The number "7" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield, although it is not believed to be worn by John Elway given that the number on the reverse appears not to be original. Affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows minor game usage. This helmet was LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Tim Bowens Miami Dolphins Game-Used Helmet Here's an official game-used Miami Dolphins helmet that was worn by 2-time Pro Bowler Tim Bowens. Bowens has played all 10 years of his NFL career for Miami and will return for the 2004 season to anchor the Dolphins defensive line. This white Riddell helmet dates to the late 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Dolphins" lettered along the custom back bumper. The number "95" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield. The helmet is complete with its original mask and chinstrap and shows significant game usage. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Seattle Seahawks Game Used Team Signed Helmet This silver Riddell helmet dates to the mid 1990s and features the team logo on each side. The NFL shield and warning label appear on the back of the helmet. The interior features VSR-4 padding. Also affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. The helmet is complete with its original mask and shows minor game usage, no chinstrap in present. The helmet has been signed by 18 members of the 1997 Seattle Seahawks football team including; Chris Warren, Lamar Smith, Steve Broussard, Mack Strong, Willie Williams, etc. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1999 Carolina Panthers Game-Used Team Signed Helmet This silver Riddell helmet dates to the late 1990s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Panthers" lettered along the custom back bumpers. The number "70" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield and warning label. Also affixed to the interior is an "All American" reconditioning sticker. It is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows significant game usage. The helmet has been signed by 26 members of the 1999 Carolina Panthers. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1999 Baltimore Ravens Game-Used Team-Signed Helmet This black Riddell helmet dates to the late 1990s/early 2000s and features the team logo on each side and the team name "Ravens" lettered along the custom back bumper. The number "95" appears on the back of the helmet along with the NFL shield and warning label. It is complete with its original mask and Riddell chinstrap and shows minor game usage. The helmet has been signed by 31 members of the 1999 Baltimore Ravens. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Pro Bowl Signed Helmets (3) Offered in this lot are three Riddell, souvenir NFL Pro Bowl helmets, each signed by players who participated in the corresponding games. The first helmet is from 1993 and has 34 blue sharpie signatures. Three of the signatures have smudging. The second is from 1998 and has 21 red sharpie signatures and the third is from 2000 with 32 blue sharpie signatures. Each helmet features the Pro Bowl emblem on each side. Some of the stars that appear on these helmets are: Warren Moon, Dan Marino, Bruce Smith, Junior Seau, Tony Boselli, Neil Smith, Tony Gonzalez, Peyton Manning, etc. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1998 Peyton Manning Game-Worn and Signed Rookie Jersey Born of the purest quarterback pedigree, this kid was destined for greatness from the moment he was born. Already you can find few who will say that the Indianapolis Colts star is not superior in skills to that of his Hall of Fame father, and with as much as a decade of games left in him, and an average of well over 25 touchdown passes per season, Peyton could very well add his name to the top of quite a few lists in the record book before he's done. The offered blue mesh gamer exhibits nice wear from Manning's introduction to the NFL, particularly notable in the sweat-crinkling of the letters in the word "Manning" on the rear nameplate. Number "18" sewn on chest, back and sleeves in white tackle twill. "Logo Athletic, NFL ProLine Authentic" label in tail has "52" flap tag below, and embroidered "98" swatch to the left. Another "Logo Athletic" label is sewn to inner seam. Finally, Manning has signed the rear numerals in perfect black sharpie, adding "'98" to his autograph. In 20 years time, this jersey may very well be worth many times the final, winning bid, making it one of the most attractive investment pieces offered in this auction. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1998-99 Peyton Manning Game-Worn Rookie Helmet Our consignor, who acquired this helmet from a team source, was told at the time that this valuable helmet from the League's top quarterback saw action toward the end of the rookie '98 season, and was then reconditioned (as most helmets are in the off-season), and fitted with a new face mask for use in 1999. The evidence certainly seems to back this up. Note the heavy wear to the shell, gouged and covered with multi-colored bruises, while the face mask, showing much lighter wear than the shell, is held in place with clear clips stamped "3-99." This would suggest that the face mask was replaced in early 1999, after the shell had already seen significant use. Number "18" straddles the blue center striping in proper font above the Colts bumper. The "VSR-4" interior padding system exhibits excellent, sweaty wear, and number "18" is markered beside the left ear hole, where the velcro radio transmitter patch is still affixed. Original chin strap. With helmets being far more rare than jerseys, and rookie superstars representing the Grail of collecting in general, savvy investors will jump at the chance we offer here. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Brett Favre 2001 Thanksgiving Game-Worn Throwback Jersey The future Hall of Fame quarterback managed a 29-27 win over the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving 2001, one of 12 wins in a season that saw Favre further ensure his legacy as one of the greatest ever. It's clear that Favre worked up quite an appetite in the November 22, 2001 game in which this jersey saw action -- an included photograph pictures him feasting on one of the many legs of John Madden's traditional turkey after the final whistle. The NFL chose this game for the popular "Turn Back the Clock" edition, and you can see that this white mesh gamer has the sparse, unadorned look of early Packers' jerseys. There is simply a number "4" on front and back, and "Favre" spanning the shoulders. "01-52" is sewn inside the collar, and a small "100% Polyester, Made In Berlin, WI, USA" tag is sewn inside the tail. For a single-game style, this jersey offers no shortage of scuffs and scrapes, suggesting that the Green Bay offensive line had a few problems from time to time. When you add it all up -- the player, the rare style, the photo match, the nationally televised game, the wear -- you're left with a highly desirable piece indeed. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Tom Brady 2001 Game-Worn Rookie Helmet The Cinderella season! The young rookie, having passed for only six yards in three attempts during the 2000 season, takes the reins of the New England Patriots and leads them to the Super Bowl Championship. This historic helmet shows strong use from the rookie/Championship year, with scrapes and gouges to the outer shell, and sweat-stains on the interior VSR-4 padding system. Number "12" is affixed in proper decal font to the rear shell above the Patriots bumper. A NFL American flag and warning sticker are on the lower rear shell. Number "12" in marker beside inner right ear hole, along with the velcro patch that once held the radio transmitter. The clear clips holding the face mask are stamped with the date "4-01." Original chin strap. Now that he's won two, we have to wonder if this kid is going to end up as one of the game's true immortals. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Basketball Cards
1961 Fleer Basketball Complete Set In High-Grade PSA To call this set "high grade" seems like a tremendous understatement. Perhaps the most collectible basketball issue on the planet, and one of the most popular in any sport, the '61 Fleer set continues to impress over four decades later. One of the reasons that the demand for this elusive set remains so high is the fact that these colorful cards were produced in low numbers, which of course corresponds with a low survival rate. To find the total collection assembled with cards of this caliber goes beyond impressive and actually transcends to such rarity that the set could be labeled unique. The key cards break down as follows: PSA 7 (West), PSA 8 (Baylor, Chamberlain, Cousy, Russell, Wilkins, Chamberlain IA, West IA), PSA 9 (Howell IA, Ramsey). None of the top cards have qualifiers. The balance is overwhelmingly unqualified PSA 8, with six unqualified PSA 7's, and a PSA 8 and two PSA 9's with qualifiers. It wouldn't take much work at all to convert the few stray cards to match the unqualified PSA 8 theme, creating a fun and lucrative project for a collector in search of a challenge.
1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor #25 SGC Mint 96 One of the finest Kareem Abdul-Jabbar rookies on the face of the earth. Before this UCLA phenom adopted his Muslim name and before the seven-foot center began a career that would end with a Basketball Hall of Fame induction, some wise young collector slid this oversized rarity from its pack and pressed it between the pages of a book, preserving it in a state identical to that when it left the printing press. There is little more to say than this -- the corners have never been touched, the image is perfectly centered, and the surface is pure, glossy perfection.
1972 Topps Basketball Wax Box GAI 7 With Julius "Dr. J" Erving and Artis Gilmore's rookies, and desirable cards from Chamberlain, West and more all possibly hidden within the 32-year old confines of this sealed wax box, you'll have to ask yourself, do you feel lucky? Exceptional rarity is graded a Near Mint 7 by GAI, so it would take guts to break it out of the holder.
1986 Fleer Michael Jordan #57 PSA Gem Mint 10 The card. Fewer than one percent of submissions of the most sought-after rookie card of the modern basketball era have earned the honor of a Gem Mint banner from PSA, and we're proud to offer to the collecting public this rare, golden boy. Like a last-second, fall-away buzzer beater to win the Championship, nothing could be sweeter than this first mainstream card that introduced the most exciting player in the game's history to the NBA ranks. Put this one in the safe deposit box and give it to your grandson on his wedding day. It could be worth a house by then.
Basketball Collectibles
1930s Big Ten Basketball Signed Government Postcard Collection (3) All but unheard of in any form, much less on government postcards, these vintage 1930s basketball signatures will drop the jaw of any serious basketball collector. Best is the "Apr 4, 1935, Indianapolis, IN" postcard signed by six members of the Purdue team, including an amazing "Johnny Wooden," the only example we've ever seen of that signature variation from the Hall of Fame coach and player. His brother "Cat" is here as well. Twelve members of the Northwestern team signed this "Jan. 4, 1935, Evanston, Ill" postcard, most notably the Hall of Famer A.C. "Dutch" Lonborg. Finally, a single signed postcard from Muncie, Indiana, dated "Dec 11, 1934," reads "Branch McCracken, Coach at Ball State." Though not Big Ten, McCracken actually starred as a player at Indiana. All postcards are moderately toned with age, but the signatures remain in magnificent 9/10 or better condition. LOAs from Mike Gutierrez & Bob Gryder/GAI and James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA.
Coach John Wooden Signed Memorabilia Collection An outstanding assortment of material signed by the legendary Hall of Fame basketball coach for a gentleman that has worked with him. Included are: 1) Single signed NCAA basketball. 2) Large photograph (16"x20") of his first Championship team, the 1963-64 Bruins. 3) Photograph (8"x10") picturing, and signed by, Wooden and Bill Walton. 4) Sign (8"x10") picturing his famous "Pyramid of Success." 5-7) Three signed books: "Wooden", "Be Quick But Don't Hurry", and "Inch and Miles". 8-10) Photographs (8"x10") as National Player of the Year in 1932, coaching, and speaking at the inaugural Wooden Classic. 11) Silver Anniversary of the Wooden Award program. All signatures are Mint. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1956-57 Boston Celtics Team Signed Lithograph A very rare and desirable Artist's Proof from the famed sports artist Ron Lewis that's numbered "AP 16/23" and has been signed by each World Champ he so masterfully portrays. Perfect pencil signatures are here from Auerbach, Risen, Tsioropoulos, Heinsohn, Phillip, Russell, Ramsey, Hemric, Cousy, Sharman, Loscutoff and Palazzi. Expertly matted and framed to museum quality. An outstanding piece paying tribute to one of the most star-studded teams in NBA. history. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1960 Boston Celtics Team Signed Large Photograph Never before, and never since, has a starting five encompassed such a legendary grouping of talent. Each was an All-American. Each is in the Hall of Fame. And together they earned a World Championship in 1960, surprising nobody. Perfect blue sharpie signatures are here from Heinsohn, Russell, Cousy, Sharman and Ramsey. Photograph measures 16x20". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1973 New York Knicks Signed Robert Stephen Simon Lithograph Archive (5) Collection of five large (25" x 29") stunning color limited edition lithographs created by famed sports artist Robert Stephen Simon. Each one is signed by seven World Champion Knicks, including the starting five: Reed, Bradley, DeBusschere, Frazier and Monroe, plus Sixth Man of the Year Lucas, and Coach Holzman. A fantastic collection of signatures on visually stunning artwork, accompanied by original publisher certification. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1977 NBA Finals Lithograph by Mardon Two of the greatest roundball stars of the era, Bill Walton and Julius "Dr. J" Erving, face off in this psychedelic masterwork by noted sports artist Allan Mardon. Walton, a fan of the Grateful Dead, had few peers when healthy and evoked comparisons to Wilt, Kareem, and Bill Russell. During the magical 1977 season under the guidance of their coach, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Walton and his Blazer teammates found a chemistry that combined with an exciting rebounding and running package led them to a championship. Walton finished off the series with an epic performance -- 20 points, 23 rebounds, 8 blocks and 7 assists, garnering the respect of Julius Erving after a particularly heated and sometimes ugly series that included several ejections and near ejections. Released in only limited numbers in the months immediately following the Portland Trailblazers historic victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, the 22" x 28" lithograph has steadily increased in value and rarity in the quarter-century since, and is currently listed at $1500. This strong specimen offers just a touch of wear in the wide white borders, and could easily be matted and framed to appear Mint. A marvelous work, so evocative of the era when "Blazermania" swept across the Northwest following Portland's decisive victory over one of the most talented pro teams ever assembled. A great piece to have signed--it would be worth a small fortune if it were.
1981 Boston Celtics Championship Ring Salesman's Sample The beloved Boston Celtics Hall of Famer Larry Bird was presented a ring almost identical to this one following the squad's four games to two victory over the Houston Rockets in the NBA Finals. A large cubic zirconia rests in an emerald-green stone on the face, surrounded by raised text reading "NBA World Champions." The left shank offers the NBA logo and the number "1981." The right shank frames a Celtics shamrock with the words "Bird" and "Pride." Ten karat yellow gold, size 7.
1967-1991 Los Angeles Lakers Game Used Hardcourt Section Imagine the feet of greatness that once treaded upon this 8" x 9" section of court from the Los Angeles Forum. Wilt, Kareem, Magic, Jerry . . . and that's just the home team! Well-worn rectangle coated in Lakers yellow paint is affixed with a plaque celebrating the glory to which the floor bore witness, and it's accompanied by a COA from the Lakers organization, and housed in its original team packaging.
Michael Jordan Signed Peter Max Lithograph The acclaimed pop artist Max, whose bright, vibrant style has garnered him international fame and appearances in permanent collections of many of the world's most prominent museums, takes on the subject of the world's most prominent basketball player. In his inimitable style, Max captures MJ making the jump shot that earned his Chicago Bulls their sixth and final NBA Championship with Jordan at the helm. The limited edition (370/423) litho on heavy paper stock, entitled "Farewell Shot," is signed in perfect black sharpie by both Jordan and the artist himself. Measures 26" x 33" in dimension. Mint. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
2004 N.C.A.A. "March Madness" Signed Memorabilia Collection The 2004 Men's NCAA Championship run was one of the most exciting ever. The National Champs were the UConn Huskies, led by Emeka Okafor, the MVP of the tourney. The Cinderella story was almost written by St. Joe's and their coach Phil Martelli, named Coach of the Year, and his fabulous point guard Jameer Nelson, who won the 2004 Wooden Award for the Nation's Best College Basketball Player. This lot includes two separate NCAA basketballs:1) Emeka Okafor, '04 Champs. 2) Phil Martelli, Coach of the Year 2004 & Jameer Nelson #14 John Wooden Award Winner. Also included is a mint, label-free issue of Sports Illustrated with Okafor's signature on the cover that bears his picture, and a program from 2004 Wooden Award Dinner signed by Wooden himself. All autographs are in perfect sharpie, and acquired in person by our consignor. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA
Jerry West 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers Game-Worn Jersey Jerry Alan West, aka "Mr. Clutch," won a lot. The co-captain of America's Olympic gold medal-winning team had a storied professional career with the LA Lakers that spanned fourteen seasons. With a shot that was all water, West was on the All-Star Team every year he played in the NBA. He is the third leading scorer of all time with 25,192 points, and retired with the fourth highest scoring average (27.0 ppg) in NBA history. West led the Lakers to the NBA Finals nine times, and thrice took home the Championship trophy. After he closed his locker for the last time and hung up his sneakers, West had a successful career as a coach and front office man. Despite his numerous records that earned him Hall of Fame membership, being selected to the All-NBA First Team ten times (1962-67, 1970-73), the All-Defensive Team four times (1970-73), the NBA 35th Anniversary Team (1980), and the NBA 50th Anniversary Team (1996), perhaps nothing conveys the honor and respect held for Jerry West by those involved with the game of basketball than the use of his silhouette as the NBA logo. It's difficult to imagine a greater honor than having one's image used as a symbol of the game. Offered for your bidding pleasure is a Lakers jersey that clad the team's greatest guard during a magical season in which Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and the rest of the crew went all the way, and on their journey had a record 33-game winning streak and a then-record 69 wins with only 13 losses. "Lakers" arcs upward across the chest, rising above the fabled number "44" that repeats on verso beneath the legendary surname. The proper "Tiernan" tagging at center front tail shows fabulous, sweaty wear, a theme carried throughout the yellow poly-cotton blend body. Originally obtained directly from Jerry West and destined for one of the hobby's great collections, as any that contained this piece would instantly gain that adjective. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Larry Bird 1979-80 Game Worn Rookie Sneakers In serious game-used basketball memorabilia collecting, game-used equipment from this King of 1980's basketball is essential. And though it became clear very early that we were witnessing true greatness in the form of this 6'9" kid from Indiana, very few relics from that Rookie of the Year season have survived to see the modern auction block. Thankfully, we are able to offer this rare exception. These size thirteen and a half Converse All-Stars, in Celtics green, were originally sourced from Larry's close friend Lane Foreman, and include an 11-year-old letter of authenticity from their original sale in a reputable New York City auction house to that effect. The shoes show fantastic wear, and match perfectly to photographs of Bird on the court during that historic first season. We are certain that the winning bidder would be able to score some big points with the Basketball Hall of Fame were he to lend or donate these sneakers for display, as they certainly would be a welcome addition to the collection. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
John Williamson 1980 Game-Worn New Jersey Nets Uniform With Warm Ups Perhaps the final Nets uniform worn by "Super John," who came to the ABA's New York Nets as a rookie in 1973-74, entering the lineup after a 4-10 start and helping to swing the tide to 51-19, and an ABA Championship. In 1990, he joined Wendell Ladner, Bill Melchionni and Julius Erving as one of only four players to have his jersey number retired by the club. Williamson was traded to the Washington Bullets midway through the season during which he wore this full uniform, but the strong wear suggests he did some good work in it while he finished his Nets career. Red tackle twill spells "Nets 23" on the jersey's chest, with "Williamson 23" taking up the rear. Three white stars are sewn on a field of blue under the left arm, and the "Rawlings [size] 44" tag is still present in the lower front tail. The matching shorts, which continue the patriotic flag design with red striping and stars on a field of blue, show equally strong wear and remind us just how skimpy basketball shorts were back in the day. Number "23" is penned in vintage marker on the "Rawlings [size] 36" label in the waistband. Light spots of staining do little to detract. Complete uniforms from superstar basketball players of this era are incredibly difficult, making this offering a rare opportunity for a top collector. Also included is a complete warm-up uniform from the same era, though not attributed to Williamson. Groovy polyester blend jacket has button front, large collar (with number "28" in marker inside), and "Nets" sewn in six-inch tall letters across the back. "Rawlings [size] 46" label inside tail has "2 Inch Extra Length" flap tag. Matching pants are similarly tagged, size 38. Strong wear but no damage evident. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Michael Jordan 1987-88 Game-Worn Autographed Sneakers You'll occasionally see sneakers from "His Airness" dating from later in his Hall of Fame career, but when you do, it looks like they just came out of the shoebox. That's not the case here. The Bulls hadn't earned their first championship yet, and M.J. wasn't so quick to tear through his equipment. This pair of Nike Jordan III's (named in a Foot Locker poll as the most popular sneakers ever) shows many games of wear dating from a year that saw Michael average thirty-five points per game, and was named Defensive Player of the Year and All-Star Game MVP. The shoes were given to a friend of Dallas Mavericks star Sam Perkins, who shared the UNC hard court with Jordan, and remained buddies with him after their ascension to the NBA. Perkins led the local Dallas man into the Chicago Bulls locker room, where Jordan removed the sneakers from his feet, signed each, "Best Wishes, Michael Jordan," and handed them to the happy Mavericks fan. The vintage black sharpie inscriptions remain in perfect condition, though sadly the sneakers do not. Heat and age has caused the rubber soles to flake and loosen, and we leave it up to the winning bidder to consider restoration, which would certainly effectively return the shoes to strong condition. They still display wonderfully well, with the leather bodies of the shoes and even the original laces unaffected by the years of neglect. And just try to find another pair of 1980s game-worn Jordan sneakers. They're all but impossible. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1988-89 Scottie Pippen & 1991-92 Horace Grant Game-Worn Warm-Ups Worn during the Chicago Bulls future Hall of Famer's second season on the NBA hardcourt, this rare and beautiful jacket predates the glory that would grace the Windy City over and over again with his assistance. Team logos are screened to chest and back of this red, black and white cotton/poly blend garment, with Pippen's perfect black sharpie signature taking up residence just over the heart. "MacGregor Sand-Knit [size] 44" (markered with the unforgettable number "33") and Bulls Exclusivity tagging are framed by swatches with embroidered year "88" and tailoring notes "2" LB." Snap front. Use is very evident, though the jacket remains in fine, displayable condition. Acquired from a Chicago Bulls charity auction in 1997, with letter and original lot card on Bulls stationery included. Also included is former Bulls teammate Horace Grant's warm-up jacket from the 1991-92 season, purchased from the same auction with equivalent team paperwork. All proper tagging, fine wear, and signed on the chest in perfect black sharpie. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1990-91 Larry Bird Game-Worn Jersey Perhaps it's the strong Irish Catholic history of Boston that makes it such a great sports town. The fans have such genuine faith. They understand and accept suffering (e.g., Boston Red Sox). And finally, when one of their athletes proves himself worthy, they know all about worship. Such is certainly the case with a big, awkward-looking kid from Indiana, who proved season after season on the Boston Garden hardwood that he was anything but awkward, carving himself a place in NBA history and in the hearts of millions of New Englanders. This white mesh gamer will be instantly recognizable to even the most marginal of basketball fans. Who could possibly forget the double three's on the chest that announced the arrival of the six-foot nine superstar? "Celtics" arches above in green satin, giving way to "Bird 33" on the back. Descending to the front tail, we find complete and correct tagging: "Custom Designed and Sewn for Boston Celtics, Year 90, Sleeve Length 0, Body Length +4" and "Champion [size] 46." The 1990-91 season marked the tenth of a dozen consecutive All-Star Game appearances for Bird, and the fourth season of his career that he led the league in free-throws, with a career best percentage of .930. The jersey, dating from yet another fantastic season for Larry, was initially acquired from a team source. The wear is marvelous, and the desirability is immeasurable. In serious basketball memorabilia collecting, after all, the Bird is the word. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Shaquille O'Neal 1995-96 Orlando Magic Game-Worn Jersey The big man's final year in Florida before becoming a Laker. This absolutely enormous black mesh jersey exhibits light but definite wear from a season that saw Shaq average over 26.5 points per game. A silvery star patch forms the "a" in Orlando, screened above the number "32" on the chest. "O'Neal 32" is screened to verso. "Exclusivity" tagging in tail has "95-96" year and "Body Length +4" designators, while "Champion [size] 54" label lies to the right. No matter where Shaq may roam, his Orlando jerseys will always be valuable, as it all began in the Magic kingdom for this future Hall of Famer. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Christian Laettner 1995-96 Game Worn Practice Jersey Collection (4) The entire contents of this NBA star's practice locker! First we have two reversible blue/white mesh jerseys bearing Laettner's number "32" on front and back. Each has "Champion XXXL" tagging in the tail, where number "32" is written again in marker. Next we have a high-quality shooting shirt, with "Wolves 32" sewn to the chest, and "Laettner" sewn above a huge team logo patch on the back. Tail tagging is identical to the practice jerseys. Rounding out the collection is a heavy white cotton t-shirt spelling "Wolves Basketball" on the chest, with the same notated "Champion" label in the tail beside another "Champion/Timberwolves Exclusivity" label markered "Set 1." All pieces show very strong wear. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Minnesota Timberwolves 1997-98 Practice Jerseys (3) Pair of mesh practice jerseys show fine wear from preparations for NBA game play. The number "24" jersey relates to former N.C. State standout Tom Gugliotta, and we cannot identify the former owner of the number "40" specimen. Each is reversible for intersquad scrimmage purposes, and is tagged with "Starter/Timberwolves Exclusivity" labels and "97/98" flap tags. Also included is a heavy cotton Timberwolves training t-shirt, with DeJuan Wheat's number "32" in marker on the "Champion" label in the tail. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Kevin Garnett 1997-98 Game-Worn Minnesota Timberwolves Jersey The NBA's reigning Most Valuable Player put strong wear into this black mesh jersey from his third season as a pro. "Timberwolves 21" is sewn to the chest in a stylish, jagged font, with "Garnett 21" taking up the rear. The elastic neck and arm holes, decorated with pine tree design, show stretchy, sweaty use. "Starter/Timberwolves Exclusivity" label in tail has affixed flap tags reading "97/98, 4: L.B., 48." A "97-98 Set #1" swatch is sewn just to the left. A fine game-used representation from this top star. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Kobe Bryant 1998-99 Game-Worn Jersey As of this writing, Kobe's future basketball home is still a mystery, leaving the distinct possibility that there won't be any more Lakers' gamers soaking up this superstar's sweat. But don't you sweat it -- none could have been as nice as this yellow mesh gamer, showing tremendous wear from a season that saw Kobe average a hair under 20 points per game. "Lakers 8" is sewn to the chest in purple and white tackle twill, with "Bryant 8" on verso. "Nike [size] 50" tail tagging has a "Length +4" modifier below, and logos of the NBA and the Lakers framing on either side. A top representation from this future Hall of Famer. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
Shaquille O'Neal 1998-99 Game-Worn Jersey With Shaq back in the Sunshine State, where he began his NBA career, it's clear that there won't be any more Lakers' jerseys to come, so you'd best snatch them up when you can. After all, regardless of how it may have ended, there hadn't been a dynasty like the Shaq and Kobe Lakers since the Mike and Scottie Bulls. And who knows when we'll see another? This enormous purple mesh gamer shows fabulous wear from this true force of nature, truly the best use you'll ever see from a modern basketball jersey. "Lakers 34" fills the jersey chest in white and yellow tackle twill, with "O'Neal 34" on verso. Outrageous size "58" and "Length +6" tagging in tail -- with the logos of the NBA, Nike and the Lakers -- ensures that you probably won't be wearing this jersey outside of the house, lest you look like a little girl playing dress up in mommy's clothes. This one's big and bad, just like its former owner. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
2001-2002 David Robinson Game-Worn Jersey On November 13, 2003, just two years after The Admiral suited up in this black knit gamer, his number "50" was raised to the rafters of the San Antonio Spurs' home court, never to be worn again. His career guarantees entry to the Basketball Hall of Fame: 1990 Rookie of the Year, 1995 League Most Valuable Player, 10 years on the NBA All-Star team, a pair of Olympic gold medals and a bronze, the Spurs' 1999 N.B.A. Championship, and countless individual awards. When that induction day inevitably comes, will you own this jersey, or only wish that you did? "Spurs 50" is sewn in grey, black and white tackle twill across the chest of the jersey, below a patriotic memorial patch remembering those lost in the 9/11 attacks. The back offers a rainbowed "Robinson" in white above the number "50." The tail tagging by "Nike" offers the logos of the Spurs and "NBA Authentic" with the size "50" and a "Length +4" flap tag. Definite wear. Acquired from a team source. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
2001-2002 Tim Duncan Game-Worn Jersey The hero of the 1999 Spurs NBA Championship victory put strong wear into this white knit gamer dating from a season that saw the Wake Forest seven-footer average a career-best twenty-five and a half points per game. "Spurs 21" on chest is sewn below a memorial patch in honor of those lost in the 9/11 attacks. Back has "Duncan" arching in black tackle twill above the number "21," which is signed by Duncan in silver sharpie. The tail tagging by "Nike" offers the logos of the Spurs and "NBA Authentic" with the size "50" and a "Length +4" flap tag. Strong wear. Acquired from a team source. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Golf Collectibles
1935 Tommy Armour Signed Government Postcard Tommy Armour was the third of only eight golfers in history to win the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA Championship, living by the philosophy, "It is not solely the capacity to make great shots that makes champions, but the essential quality of making very few bad shots." The Silver Scot was just putting the finishing touches on his Championship career when he signed this card for an autograph seeker. The signature is a perfect 10/10 on the backside of a card postmarked, "Medinah, Ill, Jun 19, 1935." LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA
1958 Bobby Jones, Jr. Signed St. Andrews Display The most essential autograph in golf collecting takes its appropriate position at center stage of a masterfully designed piece that pays tribute to the legendary linksman and his adopted Scottish home. The blue ink autograph rates a perfect 10/10 on a 3" x 5" piece of paper with a rough edge and a vertical center fold, neither of which detracts from the appeal of the signature. The autograph was acquired by the same St. Andrews resident who supplied us with the program and draw sheet from the World Amateur Golf Team Championship, where Jones made his final Great Britain appearance as the non-playing Captain of the American team. Both the program and draw sheet display marvelously, and appear in EX-MT or better condition. Two snapshots taken by the gentleman who met Jones that day picture the action on the fairway, and Jones himself riding in a cart, snapped within minutes of his signing. At top is a gorgeous 16" x 20" lithograph, limited to 512/1930, picturing a young Mr. Jones on his way to winning the 1930 British Open. Matted and framed to a suitably elegant museum quality measuring 41x50. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ben Hogan Signed Wire Photograph The golfing legend retired with 63 tournament victories to his credit, third all-time to Snead's 81 and Nicklaus' 70. Only Nicklaus with eighteen and Walter Hagen with eleven have won more professional majors. This essential golfing autograph is offered in dark black felt tip on this 1949 wire photo picturing Hogan getting some putting practice after a terrible automobile accident almost took his life. A diagonal crease barely clips the autograph, and otherwise both photo and signature are in fantastic condition. Measures 7" x 9". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Palmer, Player, Trevino and Rodriguez Signed Putter Stick this special piece in your bag the next time you hit the links (but don't use it!) and maybe the mere presence of such great names will bring you luck. The limited edition putter is beautifully engraved in gold on the bottom of the putter head, "Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Lee Trevino, Chi Chi Rodriguez, July 2, 2001, 21 of 50," and subsequently signed by each of these golfing gods in perfect black sharpie on the handle. A lovely display piece. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1994 Arnold Palmer Signed Letter to President George H.W. Bush and Stan Musial No shortage of star power here, as the golfing legend expresses his regrets to the former President and the baseball Hall of Famer. Palmer explains that scheduling problems will preclude his attendance at the induction ceremonies for Ted Williams' Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame. The brief typed note on Arnie's personal letterhead is signed simply "Arnold." Original mailing envelope is included. NRMT. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Tiger Woods Signed Limited Edition Large Photograph Golf's greatest star is also a top favorite of forgers, so authenticated items such as this Upper Deck short run (18/500) photo are in great demand. Image of the living legend teeing off at the British Open Championship is 16" x 20", and signed in perfect black sharpie. Matted and framed to a museum-quality 27" x 27". LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Hockey Collectibles
Circa 1940 Eddie Shore Signed Hockey Puck The authenticators from PSA, obviously top autograph experts who have seen it all, marveled at this puck, at the quality and exceptional rarity. Dozens and dozens of times more rare than a single signed Ruth baseball, or even a Gehrig, this puck represents what may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for serious hockey collectors. The "Spalding Official National League" puck, a valuable piece in its own right, is covered on one side with grip tape and signed in dark black ink, "To Gertrude from Eddie Shore." This special keepsake was signed right around the year Shore retired from the game that saw him as the most terrifying defenseman to face, a lesson painfully learned by the great Ace Bailey, whose career was ended by a vicious Shore check. Shore's autograph is essential to any fine hockey collection, and most have to be satisfied with a signed program or photograph. Pucks from the era were almost never signed, but we're glad that Eddie made an exception at least this once. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Jacques Plante Signed Exhibit Card He led Montreal to six Stanley Cups (1953, 56-60), won seven Vezina Trophies, and an MVP in 1962. The first goalie to regularly wear a mask appears in this postcard-sized (4" x 6") image without one, as he skates above a perfect blue ink signature. Card itself is NRMT as well. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1971-72 Brad Park Game-Worn Autographed Jersey In the absence of Bobby Orr, Park would have been considered the finest defenseman of his era, and six times as runner-up to Orr for the coveted Norris Trophy for the NHL's top defender probably stung a little less as Park joined Orr in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986. This fantastic New York Rangers sweater dates from Park's first complete season on the Big Apple ice, which would serve as his home for six years to come. The blue knit body offers a stair-stepping "Rangers" that spans the chest, with the Assistant Captain's "A" high above the heart. Number "2" is sewn to each sleeve, and again on the verso. The red and white tackle twill shows the effect of many sweaty performances in the crinkling that comes as a result of the body's salts. The original neck lacing is present, and the neck is one of several areas where there can be found rather serious team repairs. There's no question at all that this one has been through the war. The "Gerry Cosby" and size "50" labels are still hanging on inside the tail. Perfect black sharpie inscription on the front reads, "Brad Park #2, H.O.F 88." Destined for one of the top collections in the world, this is without a doubt one of the finest hockey sweaters to reach the auction block in quite some time. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing, & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA..
Hockey Cards
1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky #19 PSA Mint 9 This O-Pee-Chee issue is notorious for rough cuts and chipped borders, but this splendid example made it out of the factory unscathed in 1979 and managed to remain in Mint condition for 25 years as 'The Great One' played his way to into the NHL record books. While PSA has slabbed over 1500 of this essential card, only a single specimen has ever topped the grade of this special offering. Frankly, it's hard to imagine what that lone card could have had that this one does not.
Baseball Collectibles
1880's Frank Bancroft & His Team Cabinet Photograph Now we know where Connie Mack got his fashion sense! A thrilling find for that devoted contingent of 19th century baseball collectors, this never before seen sepia image of the first great Hall of Fame baseball manager brings us back to a charming era in our national pastime's history. Note the full-length dark overcoat and derby that the mustached Bancroft wears at center. Several of his ballplayers wear colorful neckties. At Bancroft's right hand, a player sits holding an infant, the team mascot. Fans in the grandstand gaze lazily at the proceedings. It's possible that a talented researcher could pinpoint this photograph to an exact team or year, but we have been unable to devote the time to that pursuit. The photograph has wear at the edges, and rounded corners, but the image itself shows only a few small areas of abrasion, and none which comes close to approaching Bancroft or the faces of his players. An impressive 8" x 10" in size, the large dimensions for the time would suggest that this piece was created for a VIP, perhaps even for Bancroft himself. Surely a one-of-a-kind offering, so bidders be warned-it's now or never.
Nineteenth Century Bound Baseball Volumes Collection Two exceptionally early and rare volumes are actually comprised of two publications each, bound quite some time ago into their present hardcover state. The very existence of even one of these four booklets is pure serendipity, but to see four together is a true event. The first volume, bound in green, dates all the way back to the Civil War, offering an 1864 edition of "Beadle's Dime Base-Ball Player," a sixty-four page treatise on the game, descriptions of positions, and statistics from the 1863 season. The second half of this first volume is "Beadle's Base-Ball Guide for 1872, offering much the same information as its older brother, with a heavier emphasis on player statistics. The second volume, bound in red, offers "Our Boys Base-Ball Rules for 1877," and the subsequent volume for 1878. These are particularly intriguing due to the appearance of some color pages, both for the cover page of the earlier volume, and for baseball uniform advertisements at the end of each. It is particularly noteworthy that all four volumes were edited by Henry Chadwick, the pioneer of early baseball that developed the box score, introduced statistics such as batting average and ERA, and, of course, wrote and edited numerous instructional manuals on the game. His contributions to the game of baseball earned him a posthumous enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame. All of his works assembled here remain in terrific EX-MT+ condition, with no tears, creasing, or significant staining. You surely will find no stronger examples of these rarities, if you can find them at all.
Circa 1910 Cy Young Supporter Advertising Card An early and particularly charming advertising card offers the endorsement of the winningest pitcher in baseball to aid in the sale of jock straps. "The Cy Young Supporter," it announces, "For Base Ball, Foot Ball And all Athletic Work, M'f'g by Cy Young, Peoli, Ohio." We would have to expect that even the most advanced baseball advertising hobbyists have an empty spot in their collection where this rarity should be. Printed on mid-weight card stock, this 2" x 4" piece shows only light wear, with light foxing but no creases or tears.
Rare Ty Cobb Tobacco Tin Circa 1910 The work of companies such as Goudey, Gum Inc., Bowman, and Topps has caused most people to think of baseball cards as a token to be found alongside bubble gum. This is a rather logical supposition, as the pair was married for six decades until the dissolution of their union in the early 1990s. Though perhaps the most enduring, bubble gum was not the first love of baseball cards. Before the gum revolution began by Goudey in 1933, baseball cards had been packed with caramel and other sugary delights. The advent of packaging portraits of baseball players with a product, however, began with something even more indigenous to America than baseball -- tobacco. Smoked by Native Americans for ages before Europeans came to the continent in the 15th century, tobacco's history with our people is longer, though not as storied, as the game of the diamond. This being considered, the obsession collectors have had with the offspring of tobacco products and the game of baseball is perfectly understandable. "T-Cards," as they have been affectionately designated, are the heart of many collectors' passion. Some have pieced together impressive collections of cigarette packs that most likely contain a baseball card. Barry Halper once held spectacular T-205 posters in his possession -- one of Ty Cobb and one of Christy Mathewson. The offered piece is a wonderful collection of all these things. A worthy crown jewel for collectors specializing in tobacco tins, Ty Cobb memorabilia, early 20th century baseball cards or related ephemera, such a piece as this offers a rare opportunity. The general consensus of those in the know posit the existence of approximately five tins such as this, leading one to question whether these were ever released into circulation, or if they were produced for regional distribution. Perhaps they were proofs that never received approval from one side of the table or another. Such is the theory on the Ty Cobb [Red Background] portrait from the T-206 set that boasts a "Ty Cobb, King of the Smoking Tobacco World" design on the back. How spectacular would it have been, if one could have purchased Ty Cobb Tobacco and be gifted with a T-206 Ty Cobb with the Ty Cobb back? Whatever the case, just a handful of collectors are able to enjoy the pleasure of owning something quite this rare and wonderful. The image of Ty Cobb depicted on the tin is based on the same photograph used to paint his picture that appears on his T-206 card catalogued as: "Ty Cobb (Bat on Shoulder)." It measures 3" x 5" x 1". This specimen grades a strong "5" on a scale of "1 to 10," exhibiting small scratches, dents and surface flakes, most likely due to being carried and passed around. The survival of such a piece borders on miraculous, and its condition maintains great visual appeal. We picture this piece coming to reside in a locked glass case under a single beam of light, at the center of one of the nation's finest baseball card or memorabilia collections.
Rare Tuxedo Tobacco Advertising Sign Featuring Walter Johnson Circa 1910 The Big Train was just a bright-eyed kid when he posed for the magnificent artwork used as he joined fellow Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson in endorsing Tuxedo brand tobacco. While baseball and tobacco marketing were inextricably linked during the early years of the 20th century, consider the vast array of baseball cards available in smoke shops. All but a very small handful of signs such as this one have been lost forever to the junk heap of time. It has been estimated by hobby experts that this fabulous baseball collectible is one of only two or three examples extant, which is not surprising considering that counter and window displays from this era were usually constructed of very volatile cardboard or paper, and generally would require amazing circumstances surrounding them to survive this long. This piece is such an anomaly, being completely intact, restoration-free and exhibiting tremendous eye appeal despite its technical flaws. The full-color display measures 21" wide by 11" tall and proudly sports a wonderful rendering of "the Big Train" in his prime, along with a testimonial from Johnson stating, "it is the best tobacco I have ever smoked," just above a facsimile signature. The colors are still very visually striking, save where broken by tack/nail holes, creasing or minor tears. These are mostly confined to border and background art areas, except for a 2" x 1" circular tear at the lower neck area of portrait. In all, there are seven small nail or tack holes, one of which has caused a thin vertical 1" tear from the bottom edge of display. There is also a one-half inch tear in the right border and a small area about the size of a dime in the left border that has suffered paper loss on the surface only. Dampness over the years has left areas of darkened staining, but the beauty certainly shines through very effectively even in these places. The most important facet of this incredible item is the fact that it hasn't been restored (as most other vintage display pieces of this era have been). That is not to say that if someone were so inclined to have it professionally restored, that it wouldn't restore to apparent NM quality, because it easily would. We agreed with our consignor who chose to have us offer it in its original state, as used back in 1912.
1913 Baltimore Orioles Team Photograph with Babe Ruth Yes, that's the 18-year old Bambino at far right, representing his home town on his first professional baseball squad. The image area measures 4.5" x 10", though the photographic paper on which it is printed is a full 8" x 10" in size. Vintage type on verso notes that Ruth "is now making a series of baseball 'shorts' for Universal." This effectively dates this print to 1932 -- not exactly vintage to that true rookie season, but quite old nonetheless. Light, incidental creasing is only visible at certain angles to the light, otherwise the piece appears NM.
1912-1919 Sweet Caporal Unopened Tobacco Pack GAI NM/MT 8 We think of the young boy who found the Golden Ticket in the Willie Wonka chocolate bar, and we begin to dream ourselves. What might possibly reside inside this exceptionally rare sealed pack of smokes? Whatever might be inside this pack, still affixed with its New York State tax stamp, it's safe to assume that its in much the same condition it was 90 years ago. Even the pack itself is slabbed in a NM/MT holder! A true survivor, encasing one of the hobby's last mysteries.
Circa 1913 Fatima Cigarettes Unopened Pack GAI Mint 9 We couldn't possibly imagine how a pack of cigarettes could survive for 90 years in this condition, but we aren't complaining. They look so new, we'd smoke them if we didn't know better (though we just quit, thank you). We sure would love to know what's inside though. Only the truly daring will take the risk to find out.
Baseball Cards
1913 Polo Grounds New York Giants Season Pass Pocket Knife Of the various charms and pendants issued by the President of the New York Giants each season, bestowing a season's pass to the uptown Manhattan ballpark in the 1910's was a supreme honor and the 1913 pocket knife is generally considered the favorite. Of course they were issued only in very limited supply -- Brush needed to sell tickets, after all -- so when you see one, it's a pretty good bet that the former owner was famous, or well-connected. The former is true in this case. Opposite the stamped lettering, "Polo Grounds Thrills For You -- Season 1913, Not Transferable -- John T. Brush, Pres." is engraved, "No. 254 Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Robinson." Mr. Robinson was one of the most celebrated Broadway actors of the era, and one of the top Manhattan socialites as a result. We would hope that he made good use of the pass this season, as it was a fine one indeed. A rookie named Jim Thorpe made his first appearance on the diamond for the Giants, Matty and Marquard won almost fifty games between them, and the club posted a pennant-winning record of 101 wins and just fifty-one losses. The knife shows no dents or dings, and just some minor foxing, but it is likely that with a good polishing it could return to a state closely resembling its former glory. A fine piece of old New York baseball (and Broadway) history.
Baseball Collectibles
1913 World Series Press Pin Offered here is one of the very earliest World Series press pins in existence. First issued to the media in 1911, these pins have become quite popular with hobbyists, who are drawn to the artistry and history of these unique collectibles. The earliest examples also tend to be the most wonderfully ornate (and certainly the rarest), leaving them the most desirable of nine decades worth of such items. This pin, worn by a journalist fortunate enough to see Connie Mack's Athletics face John McGraw's Giants, offers a brass rectangular plaque at top with the words, "World's Series, Shibe Park, Phila. 1913." An enameled logo of the Baseball Writers Association of America is at center. A blue and white ribbon that drapes beneath it is affixed to a circular medallion below with imagery featuring the team mascot elephant and bats and ball. "American Base Ball Club of Philadelphia" is in gold on the enameled blue perimeter. Condition is wonderful, a very conservative Near Mint. We would not hesitate to claim that this is likely the finest such specimen on earth.
1916 Chicago White Sox Team Panoramic Photograph Without a doubt, one of the finest team photographs from the Dead Ball era ever to find its way to auction. This absolutely stunning photograph, measuring 8" x 26", pictures the entire 1916 squad kneeling in front of scores of postal workers in Chicago for a convention. The original, vintage mount is embossed with the details: "Delegates to the Fourteenth Annual Convention of the National Rural Letter Carriers Association enjoying the National game at the White Sox Baseball Park, Chicago, Ill., Wednesday, August Ninth, Nineteen Hundred and Sixteen." An image of Comiskey Park is at left, with the caption, "Home of the White Sox." At right is an image of the the famous Montgomery Ward department store, with identifying caption below. The mount brings the overall dimensions to 13" x 30". But, of course, it is the image itself that holds the greatest appeal, picturing 24 members of the powerful American League squad, including six of the notorious "Eight Men Out," who were banned from the game for their involvement in the throwing of the 1919 World Series. "Shoeless Joe" Jackson stares into the camera at far left, and as the camera pans right, it crosses paths with "crooked" pitchers Eddie Cicotte and Claude "Lefty" Williams, infielders Buck Weaver, Fred McMullin, and outfielder Oscar "Happy" Felsch. It's a rather rough-and-tumble lot, particularly in contrast to the men in crisp suits and ties and women in flowered sun hats that crowd the space behind them. The looks on their faces suggest that the day did not go well, and, in fact, it didn't. With the stands largely empty, it's evident that this photo was shot post-game, as the White Sox were still smarting from a 3-1 loss to the visiting Red Sox, perhaps having just fallen victim to a young pitcher named Ruth. We could understand that knowledgeable collectors might doubt our assertions if we were to claim that this piece is in Near Mint to Mint condition, but we will nonetheless make this statement unhesitatingly. Yes, it is hard to believe. Very few photographic artifacts from this era, especially those with any sort of "mounting," have traveled the decades without a substantial amount of wear, and this is especially true of larger items like this one. We can't quite believe it ourselves, but our eyes are not deceiving us. Short of a few areas at the very edge of the mount which show perhaps one-eighth of an inch of surface scuffing, this piece appears just as it did when Joe and Eddie and Lefty and Happy and Buck were still innocent men.
Babe Ruth 1920 "Headin' Home" Original Release Window Card The Babe definitely made a splash his first season in the Big Apple. In a trade that would put a terrible curse on the heads of the Boston Red Sox, the young phenom donned his Yankee pinstripes to great success this season, batting .376 and knocking 54 home runs over the fence, four more than the combined total for any other American League team. If there was ever a star in the making, it was the Babe. After this amazing season, the public clamored for more, so the Babe made his motion picture debut in "Headin' Home." This window card has minor surface wrinkles, small tears, and the bottom two inches of the card has been replaced. The card has been professionally restored, rendering those defects very hard to detect. More importantly, it displays just beautifully and is one of only two examples known.
1927 Babe Ruth World Series Wire Photo The Babe at his absolute peak of perfection. As his fellow Yankees look on from the dugout, he accepts congratulations from Lou Gehrig following his three-run blast in Game Three of the '27 Series. This amazing wire photo is one of the very few surviving vintage images of Ruth in action in the Championship October of his finest season. Measures 7" x 9", with original caption on verso. EX-MT.
Babe Ruth Vintage Photograph Collection Lot of 9 A fine assortment of images of the Bambino at work, at play, and at leisure. Two pictures of the Babe in uniform (one at famous farewell), two with hunting rifle in hand, two lounging in a winter lodge, and the remainder on what appears to be the set of "The Babe Ruth Story" film. All are 8" x 10" in size, with only a few showing even minor condition issues. All could be easily matted and framed to appear NRMT.
Baseball Cards
Joe DiMaggio's 1938-39 "Association of Professional Ball Players of America" Membership Card Direct from the estate of the Yankee Clipper comes this rare artifact establishing his membership in the famous baseball union. It reads in part, "This is to Certify that Mr. Joe DiMaggio has paid dues to July 1, 1939, and at the date of issuing this card was in good standing in said Association." The card is dated 10/3/38, and signed by the Association's secretary. Slightly larger than a credit card in size, and EX-MT in condition.
Johnny Evers Personally Owned Pen & Pencil Set Take a "Chance" and place a bid, and you may soon be able to "Tinker" with this beautiful gold set that once belonged to the second baseman of the famed double-play trio. This matched pair by "Sheaffer's" (original box included) is pure art deco style. Each has the monogram "J. J. E." engraved on the clip, and was certainly once a gift to the Hall of Fame Cub. We only wish we had some of the correspondence he likely signed with these. Included is a letter from Marian C. Evers, attesting to the fact that this set once belonged to her famous relative.
1939 New York Yankees World Championship Black Bat from Gehrig Family As the muscular physique that carried the Iron Horse through well over 2,000 consecutive games continued to weaken from the disease that would eventually take his life, his Yankee teammates continued to adhere to the standard of excellence Gehrig so inspired. Despite losing their leader following a tearful Independence Day farewell, the Yanks managed another World Series win this October, for which they were presented the traditional black bats from Hillerich & Bradsby. The offered specimen was made a gift to a young family friend of the Gehrigs, and while we cannot say with certainty that this was Lou's one and only 1939 black bat, it is certain that the gift came directly from the Gehrig family. A block lettered inscription on the handle reads, "To Our Little Pal, Billy Julius, From All the Yanks." Note that this bat was consigned with a beautiful signed photograph inscribed to the same little boy, which we picture for reasons of provenance only (photograph is not part of the lot). While authenticators from PSA/DNA confirmed that the photograph was not signed in Lou's hand, they are convinced instead that the inscription and signature are the work of his wife Eleanor, who handled almost all of Lou's signing duties during 1939, and beyond. The bat shows mild storage wear, primarily at the barrel end, with a few scattered nicks in the wood of the barrel itself. It still displays wonderfully, and its connection to Gehrig and the season of his final goodbye is all the reason you could ever need.
Baseball Collectibles
1949 "Pride of the Yankees" One-Sheet Movie Poster Though this poster dates from the later re-release of the classic Gary Cooper film, it stands as one of the very rare examples of a re-issue being more valuable and desirable than the original. The reasoning is quite simple -- the original poster for the film, considered by many to be the greatest Hollywood homage to baseball in celluloid history, failed to picture its greatest star, Babe Ruth. This oversight was corrected for the re-issue, surely due in part to the Bambino's passing in 1948. A professional linen-backing job has left the poster in very strong condition, and, if the winning bidder were so inclined, another visit to a restorationist could eliminate any sign of the folds that remain. Measures a standard 27" x 41" in size.
1950 House of David vs. Kansas City Monarchs Program In the barnstorming age, there was no bigger draw than the bearded and bizarre House of David, and "The Club that sent Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige to the Majors," as the cover page describes the Kansas City Monarchs. The eight-page scorecard is endearingly low budget, with the cover and rosters glued in place onto a program used for the local San Bernardino minor league squad. Most notable among those present at this game was the man pictured on lower right on the cover, the Hall of Fame Negro League legend "Cool Papa" Bell. The program shows light to moderate wear, with some edge wear, but no creases, folds, loose pages, or significant staining. The mere existence of a program such as this is a wonder, but to find one in such strong shape is just remarkable.
Miscellaneous Collectibles
1953 Sport Magazine All-Star Portfolio Premiums Complete Set. Lot of 10 Rarely seen complete, and essentially never in this flawless condition. These paper stock 5.5" x 7" images are so delicate that most were destroyed, and the remainer are much the worse for wear. Not so here, where all are NRMT, and in their original mailing envelope. Fantastic images of Rocky Marciano, Bob Cousy, Olszewski, "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Bob Shantz, Allie Reynolds, Robin Roberts, Joe Black (very mild stain at lower right), Stan Musial (even lighter stain at lower right), and Olympian Robert Mathias.
Baseball Collectibles
1954 Leo Durocher "Sugar Crisp" Advertising Sign "Leo the Lip" lends his likeness to an outrageously well-preserved advertising sign dating from the New York Giants' finest days at the Polo Grounds. Measuring 20" x 31" at its greatest dimensions, this cardboard rarity certainly never saw the light of day in the local market, retaining in every way the look it had as it rolled off of the printing press die-cutter. Very minor creases have edged into the corners, but they are easily contained within the white space and as such are hardly noticeable. Other than this, we take no hesitation in bestowing a grade of NRMT-MT upon this special offering.
Roogie's Bump Three Sheet Movie Poster (Republic, 1954) This Republic Studios film is about a kid with a magic bump on his arm that leads to him pitching for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This same theme would be revisited in the 1993 hit, "Rookie of the Year." There's great footage of the real Dodgers throughout the film, including Roy Campanella, Carl Erskine, Russ Meyer, and Billy Loes, as his teammates. This poster typically has border imperfections: nicks, chips and small areas of paper loss, fold line wear with paper loss, pinholes, and tears, but this one sheet has been professionally restored, greatly minimizing these defects. Fine+ on Linen.
Casey at the Met(s) (Universal, 1963) One Sheet (27" X 41"). Hall-Of-Famer Casey Stengel's professional career spanned fifty-four years. Although a good player, Stengel is best remembered for his outstanding accomplishments as a manager. In a twelve-year stretch, Stengel guided the Yankees to ten pennants and seven world titles. This poster has a minor border stain on the upper left corner and a small border chip on the lower right border. These minor defects do not distract from the appearance, and the poster displays very well. Very Fine+.
1958-62 Hartland Statues Complete Set With uniforms ranging from stark white to just a touch creamy, this fabulous full set of everybody's favorite baseball action figures ranks high on the quality meter. Though absent their original boxes, we can take heart that all of those pesky bats and Yogi's mask, so often lost over the years, are present here. We've even got the Batboy figure, above and beyond the original 18. The Babe even has his original neck tag! Aparicio is more toned than the rest, but mitigates this deficiency with a blue sharpie signature across the shoulders. The rare Colavito statue and the equally scarce and valuable Groat are two of the strongest in the group. A thorough search turns up no signs of cracking, crazing or chipping, other common ailments for this coveted set. A very conservative EX-MT+ overall grade, with many that easily surpass this mark, and just a couple that might fall a half-grade short.
Ty Cobb 1990 Rare Dallas Hartland Statue Figurine With Box It's as if the Georgia Peach were miniaturized and encased in plastic by this company made famous by its highly collectible figurines from the late 1950s and early 1960s. The detail is just astonishing. The figurine, base, and included packaging with original box, are all Mint. Though slated for a production of 10,000 only forty-five were ever made, making this one of the scarcest Hartlands in the world!
Bob Feller 1990 Rare Dallas Hartland Statues Figurine With Box The rarest Hartland of them all! Though 10,000 were commissioned for sale, production was halted after just thirty-five were produced. So if you were wondering why you've never seen one of these before, there's your answer. The original box shows a bit of shelf wear at the bottom, but otherwise all packaging and the figure itself are dead Mint. Such a cool little figurine of "Rapid Robert"--it's a shame they didn't make more.
Dallas Hartland Statues 1990 Figurine Collection With Boxes (4) Though not quite as rare as the Cobb and Feller figurines also offered in this auction, you still don't see too many of these four around. And the craftsmanship, of course, is top-notch. All were meant to be issued in limited editions of 10,000, but that figure was only met in the cases of the offered Whitey Ford and Roberto Clemente statues. Lou Gehrig only reached a production of 600, while Dizzy Dean is one of only 500 to roll off the assembly line. All are Mint in their original boxes.
Baseball Cards
Rocky Colavito Circa 1959 Cleveland Indians Salesman Sample Uniform Rocky Colavito was the "rock" of the Cleveland Indians from 1955 through 1959. In 1958 Colavito batted .303 with 41 homers and 113 RBI. His 42 homers in 1959 tied him with Harmon Killebrew for the AL lead and Colavito became the first Indian to have two 40+ homerun seasons. Such a fan favorite was Colavito, that when he had an occasional off day, Cleveland fans quickly adopted the phrase, "Don't Knock The Rock!" The following April Cleveland's GM Frank Lane didn't knock the "Rock," he traded him to Detroit for Harvey Kuenn. What prompted the trade? We may never know for sure. The one thing we do know is after that trade the Cleveland Indians went into a slump, a 35-year slump, that many claimed was the curse of Rocky Colavito. Our consignor's father was a "bird dog" for a few major league scouts in the 1950s when he met and befriended Colavito. When Rocky was traded to the Tigers after the 1959 season he stopped by his friends house to say goodbye. When he departed that day he left behind a new Indians uniform saying he would no longer have a need for it. Amazingly, the uniform sits today as it did over 45 years ago, still in the original plastic bag with the Wilson manufacturers sticker. After inspection by SCD Authentic, it is hypothesized that this uniform is a high quality salesman's sample that was never adopted for use by the franchise, of course Rocky had no way of knowing this and probably didn't care, he was on his way to Detroit. This was just a simple gift to a friend, a last parting gesture as it were, just as Rocky Colavito and his talent had been a gift to Cleveland and it's fans. Included is an LOA from the son of the gentleman who received the uniform.
1962 Bell Brand Potato Chips Los Angeles Dodgers Advertising Poster This regional baseball card issue is exceptionally scarce, and for good reason. They were only issued in the Los Angeles area, leaving the majority of the country out of the fun, and in far, far fewer numbers than Topps or any other major issue of the day. To give some idea, only 154 cards from this issue have been graded by PSA, compared to 50,000 Topps from the same year. Yet, as rare as the cards are, this advertising sign multiplies that rarity by a factor of 1,000. Possibly one of the only such specimens left on earth, and certainly the finest, it seems impossible that this paper stock 8.5" x 11.5" advertising poster could have survived four decades in Near Mint condition, and yet the proof is right here that it did. Pictured are the cards for Koufax, Roseboro, Wills, Moon, Snider and Sherry, with three more pictured in black and white on the verso. This is a piece for the card collector really looking to set himself apart from the rest.
1963 New York Yankees AL Champions Pendant Another flag for the Bronx Bombers and more business for the local jewelers. This time they created a stylish gold pendant (1.5" diameter), with the Yankees hat and bat logo encircled by engraved text reading, "American League Champions 1963." The verso features an outrageously ornate monogram that we believe to be the initials of the wife of a front office worker. Small red, white and blue stones dot the perimeter. Still housed in its original box embossed with a golden Yankees logo. Mint.
Ewell Blackwell All-Star Game Presentational Watch and Silver Bowl Dating from the first of six consecutive Midsummer Classic appearances for this Cincinnati Reds right hander, this special gold watch is original right down to the expandable band. The valuable "Lord Elgin" timepiece is engraved on the back of the case, "Ewell Blackwell, N.L. All-Stars, 1946." The watch could benefit from a cleaning, and a decent watch mechanic could certainly get it running again. After a bit of work though, this piece could be easily considered NRMT or better -- there is no permanent damage to be found. A 12-0 loss to the American Leaguers this day likely kept this keepsake from seeing too much action on National League wrists. The silver bowl bears a Mets logo medallion at center of the engraved text, "Old Timers Day 1966, Ewell Blackwell, 1950 All Stars." Short of expected tarnishing, the bowl is in fantastic condition. Measures 13 inches in diameter at the lip, and stamped "Poole Silver Co." on the underside. A fine pair of rare presentational pieces.
Ebbets Field Stadium Seat For thousands upon thousands of Brooklynites, there was no place on earth they'd rather be than where this seat resided, year after year. Imagine what it has seen, from the painful (Mickey Owens drops the third strike in the 1941 Series), to the historic (Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier in 1947), to the sublime (the Bums finally get it right in 1955). Refinished to its youthful shine, this wood and iron relic looks very much like it did during these historic sporting moments. A small brass plaque on the seat back fittingly mourns, "Ebbets Field, R.I.P., 1961."
1968 Ralph Kiner Presentational Winchester Shotgun Like so many of his ballplaying contemporaries, Kiner was an avid outdoorsman and hunter, taking every spare moment from the game to head to the country for shooting, fishing and camping. In 1968, Kiner parlayed his love of the sport and his power for endorsement into a deal with the Winchester firearm company, which presented him with this fine 12-gauge shotgun. The automatic model 1200 (WTC-68-443) is in terrific, potentially unfired condition, and features a beautiful carved wood gunstock featuring a custom engraved round name plate reading, "Ralph Kiner, 1968." Accompanying this impressive weapon are two signed 8" x 10" photographs. The first pictures six gentlemen holding rifles, and is signed by four of them: Tom Seaver, Kiner, Jerry Koosman and Nolan Ryan. The second pictures Kiner and Koosman hunting ducks, and is signed by each (Koosman has personalized "To Ralph"). All signatures are in perfect sharpie. Photos are NRMT. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1969 Topps Team Posters Complete Set Larger than its older brother the 1968 individual player poster, the 1969 Team Posters from Topps measure a full 12" x 20" in size, and picture the biggest stars from each of the 24 teams. The fragile nature of the paper upon which the posters were printed have left very few in acceptable condition, and NRMT-MT sets such as this all but non-existent. Surely one of the finest complete sets on earth.
1972 Roy Campanella Dodger Stadium Presentational Tray The Hall of Fame catcher whose career was tragically cut short by a terrible automobile accident was properly honored by the team he represented so well with the presentation of this fine Sterling silver tray commemorating the tenth anniversary of Dodger Stadium. Facsimile signatures of Dodgers greats past and present coat the surface, including Campy himself, Jackie, Pee Wee, the Duke, and many more. Some wear is evident, but display value is still very strong. Initially acquired directly from the Campanella estate.
Baseball Collectibles
1979-82 Dallas Parks Game-Worn Umpire's Uniform From the same gentleman who consigned the Roger Staubach Pensacola Navy jacket in this auction comes this complete ensemble Parks wore on the diamond as an American League ump. The whole ensemble is here: the blue short sleeved shirt with Park's number "30" and "A.L." patches on the sleeves, the nylon windbreaker worn on cooler days, with the "A.L." patch over the heart, and the adjustable black "A" cap which was league issued, but not worn. The cap was given to Parks when he filled in to umpire a few games in the early 1990's. The shirt is inscribed in perfect sharpie, "Dallas F. Parks, American League Umpire #30, 1979-82." You should be able to sneak into half the ballparks in the country in this get-up.
1982 Ron Darling Norfolk Tides Minor League Championship Ring Four years after he earned this award, the Mets pitcher would allow just three earned runs in 17 2/3 innings as he faced the Boston Red Sox in the World Series, earning a ring he probably cherishes a bit more than the one we offer here. Nonetheless, this rare offering marks the first Championship ring awarded to the Mets star, won as a member of the squad's International League Norfolk Tides. "Governor's Cup Champions" lines the perimeter of a blue stone on the face, which is embossed with a gold Mets logo. Left shank offers the Tides logo; the right, that of the Mets, and "Darling" engraved above. Ten karat gold. Size 8 1/4.

The ring also comes with a letter of authenticity on New York Mets stationary that reads: "To Whom it May Concern: This 1982 Governors Cup Champions Ring with the Tidewater Tides, belonged to me. I hope it enhances your collection." Signed by Ron Darling.
Baseball Cards
Kren's Special Reproduction Bat Rack Faithful in every detail to its original predecessor, this museum quality reproduction will hold 30 pieces of lumber. The wonderful gold stenciling on the sign's top reads, "Joseph G. Kren ... Hand Turned, Kren's Special ... Syracuse New York." In all the rack stands an impressive approximate 5' 4" tall. One of the finest bat display pieces you may ever come across.
Baseball Collectibles
Frank "Home Run" Baker July 12, 1912 Home Run Baseball It's difficult to imagine in the modern age, when ballplayers like McGwire, Sosa and Bonds have turned outfield bleachers into veritable hard-hat zones with their endless long balls, that a man could merit the nickname "Home Run" when he managed to hit fewer than one hundred in his entire thirteen-season career. It shows us just how much this game has changed from the Dead Ball era that saw the Hall of Fame third baseman as one of the most menacing batters in the sport's history. The arrival of Babe Ruth on the scene, just as the physical make-up of the horsehide spheres changed, and the balls "came to life," was lamented by players like Ty Cobb, who believed that the national fascination with the home run that Ruth inspired in baseball fans was an affront to the very nature of the game. But before the Babe and the lively ball began their historic partnership, there was Frank "Home Run" Baker, rising to the top of the home run charts every season from 1911 through 1914 with eleven, ten, twelve and nine respectively. To be historically correct, even though Baker was the Home Run Champ four straight seasons, it was actually game-winning home runs against Hall of Fame pitchers Marquard and Mathewson in the 1911 World Series that earned him his famous moniker. As a member of Connie Mack's famous $100,000 Infield, Baker was certainly expected to perform at a high level of expertise, and his efforts were largely responsible for four pennants and three World Series Championships during his days in Philadelphia. And there likely would have been more had not the competition of the newly founded Federal League raised ballplayer salaries, causing Mack to sell off his precious team, and Baker to sit out the 1915 season before being sold to the Yankees in 1916 for $35,000. There he remained until the end of his career, briefly sharing a dugout with the Babe after his arrival in 1920. And it was there that the torch was passed. Home Run Baker was the last of a dying Dead Ball breed, and the Babe was the future. And the long balls began to fall like raindrops from the sky. We are privileged and honored to offer two of the ninety-six home run baseballs that the great Frank "Home Run" Baker hit during his Hall of Fame career. They are consigned directly by the Baker family, and have never before been offered to the collecting public. We certainly do not need to convince the knowledgeable collector just how rare an opportunity this presents. These historic spheres represent two of the earliest home run baseballs ever to see public auction, if not the earliest, bar none. Given the rarity of any well-documented game used baseballs from this era, and the scarce occurrence of the fabled home run in pre-1920 games, there seems little chance that any others could exist that predate this pair. And, if so, how could they possibly compete with a "Home Run" from Baker himself?

The scene was Shibe Park in Philadelphia. In the dugout, Connie Mack, dressed in a dark suit in the summer heat, looked on as his very expensive third baseman stepped to the plate in the bottom half of a double-header. "Earn your money, Baker," Mack mumbled to himself. Hall of Fame pitcher Ed Walsh was on the mound for the Chicago White Sox, just tearing through the Athletics order. With an ERA just over two, Walsh was one of the most unhittable hurlers there was. Baker dug in and cocked his bat. "Big Ed" squinted in under the visor of his cap to check the sign, and fired one in. Baker tensed and uncoiled like a striking snake. This is the ball that traveled from a Hall of Famer's pitching hand, to a Hall of Famer's bat, and then into the record books as one of ten home runs in a League-leading season for Frank "Home Run" Baker. Vintage ink, believed to be that of Baker's wife, spans the sweet spot: "Home Run off Ed Walsh, July 12th, 1912." Though coated with mottled brown patches of age and ancient ballpark dirt, the baseball offers an inscription that is an easily legible 8/10. The red and blue stitching has held solid, and remnants of the old "Reach" stamping are clearly visible, while the "Official American League" on the opposing sweet spot leaves behind only a barely discernible ghost. In every regard, the ball has the proper look and specifications to match its historic pedigree. A piece of monumental importance, and again, quite possibly the oldest documented home run baseball ever offered at public sale. The ball is accompanied by a notarized letter of Authenticity from the family of Frank Baker with an additional LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Frank "Home Run" Baker May 15, 1916 Home Run Baseball It's difficult to imagine in the modern age, when ballplayers like McGwire, Sosa and Bonds have turned outfield bleachers into veritable hard-hat zones with their endless long balls, that a man could merit the nickname "Home Run" when he managed to hit fewer than one hundred in his entire thirteen-season career. It shows us just how much this game has changed from the Dead Ball era that saw the Hall of Fame third baseman as one of the most menacing batters in the sport's history. The arrival of Babe Ruth on the scene, just as the physical make-up of the horsehide spheres changed, and the balls "came to life," was lamented by players like Ty Cobb, who believed that the national fascination with the home run that Ruth inspired in baseball fans was an affront to the very nature of the game. But before the Babe and the lively ball began their historic partnership, there was Frank "Home Run" Baker, rising to the top of the home run charts every season from 1911 through 1914 with eleven, ten, twelve and nine respectively. To be historically correct, even though Baker was the Home Run Champ four straight seasons, it was actually game-winning home runs against Hall of Fame pitchers Marquard and Mathewson in the 1911 World Series that earned him his famous moniker. As a member of Connie Mack's famous $100,000 Infield, Baker was certainly expected to perform at a high level of expertise, and his efforts were largely responsible for four pennants and three World Series Championships during his days in Philadelphia. And there likely would have been more had not the competition of the newly founded Federal League raised ballplayer salaries, causing Mack to sell off his precious team, and Baker to sit out the 1915 season before being sold to the Yankees in 1916 for $35,000. There he remained until the end of his career, briefly sharing a dugout with the Babe after his arrival in 1920. And it was there that the torch was passed. Home Run Baker was the last of a dying Dead Ball breed, and the Babe was the future. And the long balls began to fall like raindrops from the sky. Heritage Galleries is privileged and honored to offer two of the ninety-six home run baseballs that the great Frank "Home Run" Baker hit during his Hall of Fame career. They are consigned directly by the Baker family, and have never before been offered to the collecting public. We certainly do not need to convince the knowledgeable collector just how rare an opportunity this presents. These historic spheres represent two of the earliest home run baseballs ever to see public auction, if not the earliest, bar none. Given the rarity of any well-documented game used baseballs from this era, and the scarce occurrence of the fabled home run in pre-1920 games, there seems little chance that any others could exist that predate this pair. And, if so, how could they possibly compete with a "Home Run" from Baker himself?

The pitcher's name was Guy Morton, but everybody called the lanky right-hander on the mound The Alabama Blossom. Frank Baker wasn't exactly sure why, and he didn't care. He was just beginning his second month with his new team, the New York Yankees, after a year off because that cheap Connie Mack wouldn't pay him what he was worth. He'd show him what he was missing. Baker gripped his bat tighter as the Cleveland Indians pitcher went into his slow wind-up. Behind The Alabama Blossom, the outfield grass of the Polo Grounds in uptown Manhattan seemed to extend to the horizon. When the pitch came in, the new Yankee proved he could still live up to his name, and sent the ball there. Offered here is one of the very first home runs Frank Baker hit as a New York Yankee, and one of only ten he hit during the 1916 season, while the Babe was still a Boston Red Sox pitcher. Again, strong vintage black ink notates, "Home Run of (sic) Morton, May 13th, 1916, Cleveland." It is written over the "Official American League" stamping, which is quite clearly visible through the brown dirt and age toning that gives the ball a rough and tumble look. The red and blue stitching is still tight and complete, leaving the baseball to retain its perfectly spherical form. This simply represents one of the earliest and most desirable of all home run baseballs known. The ball is accompanied by a notarized letter of Authenticity from the family of Frank Baker with an additional LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Frank "Home Run" Baker 1917-1921 Game Used Bat Of all the colorful nicknames in baseball's old school, there are a few that stand head and shoulders above the rest, such as "The Grey Eagle" (Tris Speaker), "The Cyclone" (Cy Young) and "Death To Flying Things" (Robert Ferguson). As powerful as these may be on the written page, it is highly unlikely that such names were spoken with any sort of regularity. There are a few individuals, however, whose prolific greatness on the field earned them a name that became far more identifiable than the one given by his parents. Frank Baker is the prototypical example of this, as most fans to this day know of him as "Home Run." Even "Babe" Ruth, the favorite home run hero of the 20th century was branded with a nickname based on his youthfulness. Ruth may have been referred to as "The Colossus of Clout" and "The Behemoth of Bust," but the honor of being named after the long ball itself was bestowed on another. Offered here is the war club of the original home run king - an H&B Louisville Slugger Frank Baker World's Championship Model. Within the realm of game used items from the Dead Ball era, there are few that can compare with this offering in terms of desirability. This phenomenal game bat is uncracked and displays tremendous evidence of Baker's trips to the plate showing significant game use and medium ball marks. It displays the remnants of a substance covering the handle that looks to be an early form of pine tar, with all of the manufacturer's stampings remaining distinct and completely intact. Despite the significance of being wielded by "Home Run" Baker while he played with the New York Yankees, this piece must also be recognized as a wonderful piece of folk art. Hand carved by a Hillerich & Bradsby craftsman with lathe marks still visible on knob and barrel, this bat exhibits a gorgeous patina that is slightly amber in color - a worthy collectible that has both historical significance and aesthetic value. It measures 34.5 inches in length with a hefty weight of 36 ounces. In a testament to the dominance and popularity of Home Run Baker during the dead ball era, he is the only player since the H&B company began producing bats for professional baseball players, to have requested and received a personalized designation stamped below his name. Baker chose the designation "World's Championship Model" and it has appeared on every one of his personalized bats that has surfaced. This item was consigned to us directly from the family of Frank Baker, and is accompanied by a notarized letter of Authenticity. This extraordinary war club is the finest Baker example to ever enter the hobby and has received the coveted A-10 designation from SCD Authentic. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Stan Musial 1951-57 Game-Used Bat An unparalleled representation of a Musial gamer, offered specifically for scholars of game used materials. Dating from a period that saw Stan the Man lead the league in average three times, and appear in every All-Star Game, this Adirondack 15B with block lettered surname on barrel absolutely sparkles with fine use. The barrel is a war zone of ball and cleat marks, and the uncracked handle still shows remnants of ancient tar. It would be hard to imagine a more perfect specimen from this Hall of Fame Cardinal. Adding to the mountain of appeal is the perfect blue sharpie inscription, reading, "Stan 'The Man' Musial, 8/24/94." Length and weight are 34.5" and 32.5 ounces respectively. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Willie Mays 1961-65 Game-Used Bat He could hit for power, he could hit for average, and he could do both at the same time. Generally considered the greatest player of the 1960's, Mays wielded this fantastic Hillerich & Bradsby S2 during the apex of his Hall of Famer's talents. Only once during the production span of this bat did Willie fail to send 40 over the outfield wall, and in three of those five years there was nobody in the National League who hit more homers. The barrel of this block letter "Mays" bat is criss-crossed with deeply imbedded stitch marks and several spike holes. The uncracked barrel leads down to a knob with a vintage number "24" in black marker. It's everything you could possibly want in a Mays gamer. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Rocky Colavito 1961-64 Game-Used Bat Dating from a period of Rocky's greatest production -- he hit almost 140 homers during the production span of this Hillerich & Bradsby -- the offered signature model K55 exhibits heavy game use, replete with ball marks, spike gouges, and an expertly repaired handle crack. Likely used in Motor City during Rocky's tenure with the Detroit Tigers. Bat measures 35", at a weight of 33 ounces. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Pete Rose 1965-68 Game-Used Bat Charlie Hustle was only working on his 1,000th hit during the era he swung bats like this signature model Hillerich & Bradsby S2. Even though he was pretty consistently posting 200 hits a season, the ghost of Ty Cobb wasn't beginning to sweat just yet. This attractive early Rose bat shows decent use, with some ball and spike marks on the barrel, which holds a vintage markered inscription, "To Denny, With Best Wishes, Pete Rose." Number "14" is in marker on the knob. The tale of the tape: 36" in length, at a weight of 33 ounces. No serious bat collection could be truly considered "serious" without a representation from the all-time Hit King. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Willie Mays 1968-69 Game-Used Bat If there was one player who dominated the diamond in the 1960's, it was Mays. Though no longer a kid, Say Hey was still incredibly effective during the era that this Adirondack Big Stick M63 saw action. And did it ever see action! The back side of the barrel is a grove of semi-circular ball marks, with stitch marks so deeply imbedded that it looks like the work of Dr. Frankenstein. Yet the handle remains miraculously uncracked. The tale of the tape: 35.5", and 34.5 ounces. Black sharpie signature on barrel rates a strong 8/10. Like the Musial bat in this auction, this is one for the collector who understands that there is a difference between used and well-used. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Willie Mays 1968-70 Game-Used Bat The hard-slugging Hall of Famer came up with the New York Giants in 1951, and put up outrageous numbers season after season after season, crushing 660 home runs during his 22-year career, with 3,283 lifetime hits. This Adirondack Big Stick "teepee" model M63 exhibits light ball marking on the barrel, with remnants of pine tar on the handle. The beautiful hue of the golden finish still burns brightly, making a perfect home for a 10/10 black sharpie inscription reading, "Best Wishes, Willie Mays." The 35" white ash lumber weighs in at an even 36 ounces. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Roberto Clemente 1968-70 Game-Used Bat It's only natural that Clemente, from Puerto Rico, and Manny Sanguillen, from Panama, would have ended up good buddies in the Pittsburgh Pirates clubhouse, so when the Hall of Fame outfielder asked to try Manny's bat, Sanguillen was happy to oblige. Well, it was love at first swing. This teepee model Adirondack Big Stick 129X was actually sent by Clemente back to the bat factory, who stamped "R. Clemente" over "M. Sanguillen" on the barrel and returned it for Roberto's use. And use it he did! The barrel is coated with dark half moons of ball marks, deeply imbedded stitch marks, and scattered gouges from Clemente's spikes. Amazingly, the bat is uncracked. Number "21" is in marker on each end in the correct handwritten font. There is no question that this was one of this Pirates legend's favorite bats -- he chose it personally and went to great lengths to make it his own. And he had his good friend and teammate, Manny Sanguillen, to thank for it. Measures 36", at a weight of 36.5 ounces. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Hank Aaron 1968-70 Game-Used Bat Hammerin' Hank was fast approaching the Babe's career home run record when he took this Adirondack Big Stick "teepee" model 63A to the plate as a member of the Atlanta Braves. Strong ball marking on the barrel gives testament to the power that cost the Majors 755 baseballs, yet despite the abuse, the lumber remains mercifully uncracked. Number "44" is written in marker on the knob and barrel end, and Aaron has added his perfect black sharpie signature just below his block letter name on the barrel. There are thirty-five and a half inches of historic hardwood here, at a weight of 32 ounces. Acquired by an ex-minor league ballplayer and top bat expert, with his letter of authenticity. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Dave Winfield Game-Used Bat With his 6' - 6" frame, Winfield was a true five tool player with a career that spanned 22 seasons with 12 All-Star Game selections. Offered here is a 35 1/2", 33 ounce Cooper game bat used by Hall of Fame member Dave Winfield. The DW20 model bat features the signature "Dave Winfield" printed across the barrel. The bat is uncracked and displays moderate game use in the form of ball and stitch marks, rack marks, and cleat markings along the barrel. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Baseball Cards
1948 Nabisco Shredded Wheat Ted Williams Ring The rarest of all baseball rings. It's easy to see why -- it looks like a strong wind could break this thing in half. A skinny, inch-tall plastic ballplayer swinging a bat no thicker than a pencil lead at a ball attached to a thin wire. One thing we know for sure, if we would have had this incredibly cool ring as a kid, it would have lasted exactly five seconds. We can't be certain how many of these were shipped from Nabisco headquarters, but if one in a thousand is still alive today, it would be very surprising. Search the internet and you'll see for yourself -- the ring is quite famous, and there are several articles that make mention of it, photographs that picture it. But nobody is selling. Nobody even knows where one is. So if you're in the market, the iron is hot and it's time to strike. It could be a long wait until the next one. There's so much to love about this ring that it's hard to decide where to begin. Particularly charming is the fact that, though the body is entirely white, the manufacturers gave it red socks, though in actuality they sort of came out pink. A little lever at the edge of the ring makes the body spin, and swing at the ball on the wire. The band segment of the ring is adjustable, and Ted's facsimile signature appears on each side above bats and ball imagery. Condition is simply Mint, challenging all laws of probability.
Baseball Collectibles
Ted Williams Autograph Collection (3) No baseball autograph collection could hold its head high without "The Kid," so we're pleased to help collectors out with this varied selection of his John Hancocks. 1) Single signed OAL (Brown) baseball. Perfect blue ink sweet spot signature. 2) Color 8" x 10" photograph signed in perfect blue sharpie. 3) Black and white 8" x 10" photograph of Ted with brothers Joe and Dom DiMaggio, signed by all three in perfect sharpie. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ted Williams' Personal Copy of "The Art of Hitting .300." He posted a .406 average in 1941, a mark unequalled since. So for Ted, the art of hitting .300 is hardly artistic at all. Nonetheless, the Splinter was about 60 years old when this volume was published, so maybe he was just being realistic about his chances after 20 years of retirement. Huge notation on inner cover reads, "Property Ted Williams." We can see that he began to write with a dying marker, then switched to pen, which remains in 10/10 condition. The book shows mild wear at the edges, but nothing significant. A great conversation piece. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
Ted Williams Historic Archive -- His Long Lost Sports Columns & Cartoons Recently uncovered huge collection of hundreds of items, most bound in four loose-leaf binders from Ted's 1962-67 syndicated sports column, "Swing Along with Ted" created by him for the now-defunct Bell - McClure Newspaper Syndicate following his retirement from active play, and prior to his managerial career. For approximately five years, Ted wrote on any and all subjects, with great emphasis on baseball. Often uncensored and uninhibited, his writing is joined by his cartoon artwork here in this collection. Literally hundreds of articles and cartoons in all. A unique offering, easily the basis for an incredible book or research project, accompanied by an original audio tape of Ted Williams song, comments by Ted (including profane rants about baseball card companies), and additional related material. Acquired from Ted's collaborator on the column, Jordan Ramin.
Baseball Collectibles
Ted Williams 1969 Signed Letter Mailed from Ted's home in the Florida Keys, where he terrorized game fish in much the same way as he once terrorized opposing pitchers, this brief typed "thank you" note to Morris Weiss, the famed cartoonist of the "Mickey Finn" comic strip, is signed at the closing in perfect blue ink. Page has original mailing folds and very light toning, otherwise NRMT. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
Ted Williams Signed Prophylactics Yes, you read that correctly. While we have (rarely) seen this product before, never until now have we seen a package of these condoms bearing The Splendid Splinter's image (but never endorsed by him) that was signed by the "Champ" himself. Blue sharpie autograph is a touch light (7/10), but try finding another! Package of condoms is still in like-new, sealed condition. Matted and framed to 7" x 12" in size. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1995 Opening of Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame Display Fantastic assortment of ephemera was only ever seen by the scant few close enough to the Splinter's inner circle to gain invitation to this historic event. This large (31"x 36" matted and framed) and impressive display offers a look at the invitations to the "2nd Legends Gala Dinner and Hitters Hall of Fame Dedication," the program for the event, and even a VIP parking pass. The Inaugural inductees include a list of twenty of the best hitters in the game such as Ruth, Hornsby, Gehrig, Ott, Foxx, Mantle, and Cobb. A limited edition lithograph (15/30) featuring all of the inductees takes center stage in the display and is beautifully signed by Ted Williams. This is a truly majestic ensemble with a museum quality display. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Collectibles
Ted Williams Signed Plaque and Commemorative Coin from Opening of Williams' Museum. If you've never seen either of these pieces before, there's a good reason. The plaque, offering a game-by-game statistics log of Ted's historic 1941 season, is one of only 100 made, sold out at the opening day of the Ted Williams Baseball Museum in less than three hours. A perfect Williams signature in blue sharpie resides at bottom center. The coin is equally rare, but even tougher to come by. Williams wanted to have a gift to give to other Hall of Famers who attended the museum opening, so he employed famed artist Armand Lamontagne to mint this .999 pure silver coin featuring a raised portrait of Ted on the front, and text on the back. This coin was presented to the Director of the museum. Both pieces are in Mint condition. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ted Williams Last At-Bat Signed Display Sometimes life does imitate art. Like the ending to a tear-jerking Hollywood movie, the aging slugging legend proved he still had a bit of that old greatness in him as he powered a 440-foot blast into the record books in his final farewell to the batter's box. The limited edition (12/50) series of eight black and white photos (8" x 10") follow The Kid from the on-deck circle to the plate, to the swing, to the last victory lap around the bases, and back to the dugout in front of his cheering Fenway fans. Photo at bottom left of this large (32" x 40") and tasteful display is signed in perfect blue sharpie. Facsimile game ticket and engraved plaque note the rarity of the piece, and of the beauty of the event itself. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ted Williams Green Diamond Signed Bat The most desirable signed Williams bat on the market is the Green Diamond authenticated model. Featuring a painstaking replica of the Red Sox star's signature, the model Hillerich & Bradsby is endowed with a perfect blue sharpie signature. All paperwork is present and accounted for. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Ted Williams 1958 Boston Red Sox Game-Worn Cap He was thirty-nine years old, had fought in two wars and played through sixteen seasons of Major League baseball, and he was still one of the best players in the game. Though his .328 batting average was far from his career best, it was better than any other American Leaguer in 1958, marking the sixth and final time that Williams would top that chart. He was top ten in home runs, runs batted in, extra base hits and walks, earning the respect of not just the opposing pitchers, but the opposing fans as well. In fact, that was how the Splendid Splinter ended up losing his cap. Williams and his Boston Red Sox were visiting Tiger Stadium in Detroit one summer day when a young man, perhaps having had a few too many in the grandstands during the game, snatched this cap from the head of the Hall of Famer as the players were returning to their respective clubhouses . A thorough examination by the top uniform authenticators confirms the story as the cap is certainly Williams'. The size "7 1/4" stamped in the cracking leather headband is proper for "The Kid," and the "Tim McAuliffe" tagging, with "Boston, Mass" geographical notation, is definitely professional Red Sox issue. Flip the worn headband up, and you'll find a vintage "Williams" in marker penned underneath. It was common for Red Sox caps from this era to be attributed in this style. Condition is admittedly less than perfect, with the worn headband, and cracks in the cardboard of the visor, but there are no tears or stains in the navy blue fabric, or on the red and white logo on the peak, leaving it still quite capable of standing as an impressive display piece. Only upon handling the cap are these defects made apparent, and this artifact should certainly be presented in a locked glass case. After all, just like the man himself in 1958, this cap is still one of the best that there is, and no past hardships could change that fact. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Ted Williams Game-Used Fielder's Glove Circa 1955 Ted Williams once said, "A man has to have goals - for a day, for a lifetime. That was mine: to have people say, 'There goes Ted Williams, the greatest hitter who ever lived.'" One is forced to conclude that he achieved this, considering he smacked 500 home runs, amassed 2,600 hits, walked 2,000 times, and won two Triple Crowns, all in spite of losing nearly five seasons to military service. Williams is so single-mindedly associated with the art of hitting that one could almost be forgiven for forgetting that he spent half of his baseball life in the outfield, much of it in the shadow of the famed Green Monster of Fenway Park. And while few would argue that anything in Williams' life took precedence over his obsession with hitting, the Hall of Fame Red Sox outfielder was, at his core, a competitor. We hear so often, in that ancient debate, that Williams was the superior hitter, but Joe DiMaggio was the better all-around player. And while fielding percentage surely tells only part of the story, it's interesting to note that after over 4,000 games between these two legends, only .004 separates them.

Baseball players have a special connection to their gloves -- though many will allow a teammate to borrow a bat, a ballplayer who will allow another man to use his glove is a rare breed. A glove is like an extension of a player's hand; when you slip one on, it becomes a part of you. Bats, uniforms, caps, shoes come and go. In each case, it is generally considered that age and use will not improve these things, and so no great sentimentality is typically attached. Only the glove, like fine wine or old friends, improves and becomes more dear to a ballplayer with each passing day, as the leather becomes more supple, conforms to the hand in such a unique way that a Ted Williams glove, for example, could only fit Ted Williams exactly. Like Cinderella's slipper, this glove could only belong to one. Consider the incident a couple of years ago when Derek Jeter's glove was stolen from his spring training locker. Surely he has lost countless bats, caps and jerseys to locker room theft over the years, but the loss of his glove was so serious that it dominated the New York sporting press, even before the culprit, a teammate, was apprehended. It seems entirely plausible that any glove used by Ted Williams was dear to him and used for quite a long time, as gloves used by Williams are almost nonexistent. Dozens of mighty bats belonging to Williams have found their way to the auctioneer's block, even several of his Red Sox uniforms have been offered at auction, but this represents the first William's game used fielder's glove to ever be offered for public auction. In the world of collectibles, there are only three known to exist. One was a gift from Williams to a Boston area doctor who still holds it in his collection, and the other resides at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The third is offered here.

This extraordinary glove has been consigned to us directly by the grandson of its second owner (after Teddy, of course!). This very special gift was made to a gentleman that managed a retail establishment called "Gelottes Cameras" in Boston from 1941 to 1964. Along with baseball and fishing, photography was a great passion of Ted Williams, who became a frequent customer of our consignor's grandfather. In 1958, Williams gave the glove to his friend at the camera shop as a gift for the gentleman's son. From 1958 through 1990, it remained in the son's possession, until it was passed down once again to our consignor. A notarized letter from this third generation of the family recounts the provenance well. And though the family was reluctant to part with their sizable archive of personal handwritten letters, telegrams and signed photographs from Williams, color copies that are included in this lot further establish a close friendship spanning at least a decade (letters range from 1952-63), with the topics of correspondence leaning heavily toward photography and fishing.

Further paperwork is offered from top glove expert Joe Phillips, who writes in part, "It is our opinion that this Wilson glove would be the type of professional glove that Williams would have normally used during the years 1955-56. It shows, from its design features, shape, and size to be the 'Model Type A2034,' the top-of-the-line Wilson gloves of this era, and bears the features of the 1955 A2034 model. Though no Wilson markings were found on this glove, we were able to determine its make from the patent numbers stamped on the back of the glove's fingers. These exactly match the Wilson patent numbers supplied from the Wilson catalogs of this era -- these patent numbers being granted exclusively to Wilson Sporting Goods. There are also the remains of the Wilson patch on the glove's wrist strap. We examined the underside of the Wilson wrist strap where "pro stock" numbers in this era were sometimes stamped and found what might be the number "3." Numbers "344A" were normally the Wilson numbers used."

The glove shows tremendous game wear, and was certainly Ted's main glove for a full season at the very least, and likely for two or three. It's clear that the history of several hundreds of games in left field is soaked into the heavily oiled leather of this important relic, and that Ted only saw fit to part with it when his trusted fielding friend had reached the absolute end of its utility. The pocket of the glove shows the tremendous wear of thousands of fly balls from the likes of Mantle, Killebrew and Kaline. As noted by authenticator Joe Phillips, this wear is so severe as to obscure the very markings on the glove. With close inspection, the number "9" can be seen written in vintage marker just to the right of the remaining Rawlings tag on the strap. In addition, the fading "LLIAMS" can be made out along the inner thumb portion of the glove. Ted's heart must have broken as a tear in the leather began to edge its way across the wristband, and we would have to assume that it was this mortal wound that forced the Red Sox legend to end the long partnership. If not for this strip of leather finally giving way after so many long summer days on Williams' hand, it's entirely possible, even probable, that Ted would have gone on using it, and the friend in the photography shop would have been given a bat or cap instead. Despite the war-battered appearance, or actually because of it, the glove displays wonderfully well. With so much of the modern game used material showing the wear of only minutes on the diamond, the tremendous Hall of Fame wear evident here is thrilling for scholars of such materials. It's safe to say that no other piece of equipment on earth shows more Ted Williams use than the glove we proudly offer here. And so the time comes to write the next chapter in the fascinating history of this sacred relic, one that began with Ted Williams slipping it onto his hand one day in the mid-1950s, punching his right fist into the pocket, and deciding he liked the way it felt. Even then, he knew it was made just for him. LOA from Joe Phillips/The Glove Collector with additional LOA from DanKnoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
1962 Carl Yastrzemski Boston Red Sox Player's Contract Yastrzemski's second player's contract. After a rookie season that saw Yaz record 155 hits and eighty runs batted in, the Red Sox brass was suitably impressed to offer the twenty-two year old kid another year at Fenway. For the sum of fifteen-thousand dollars ($15,000), Yaz upped his production to 191 hits in 1962, fourth best in the American League. A bargain price, to be sure. Standard contract shows no signs of damage, and is signed at the close by "Carl M. Yastrzemski," fellow Hall of Famer and A.L. President Joe Cronin, and the Executive V.P. of the Red Sox. A special, very early and very rare piece of "Yaziana." LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1965-78 Carl Yastrzemski Signed Pay Check Collection (3) Yaz gets paid. Pair of pay checks dating from the pennant-winning season 1975 ($2,400) and 1978 ($1361.46) were issued by the Red Sox organization, and endorsed on the verso in strong blue ink by the Hall of Famer himself. The third piece is a 1965 "Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate," signed in perfect black ink by Yaz. All three items are in NRMT condition. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
1962 Topps Carl Yastrzemski #425 Proof Card Thin aluminum proof of Yaz' third Topps card is a one-of-a-kind relic from the printing process that created this popular issue. Identical in size and image to the card itself, the proof offers a two-tone rendition of the card's face graphics, with a blank verso. Likely used somehow in the printing process itself. Several spots of wear on the front do little to detract from the appearance.
Baseball Collectibles
Carl Yastrzemski Signed Rare Currency (2) For the Yaz collector who has everything. Two five dollar bills, each printed in 1929, bear the perfect blue sharpie signature of the Red Sox legend. One was printed for the Second National Bank of Cooperstown, NY, the second for The Delta National Bank of Yazoo City, MS. Bills themselves show expected wear, but are in excellent overall condition.LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
1967 Topps Stand-Ups Carl Yastrzemski #21 Proof One of only three known, this exceptionally rare proof for an exceptionally rare set (never issued to the public) certainly tops the charts as the scarcest Yaz card on the market today. Identical to the only slightly more common thick stock, die-cut issue, this light stock card is not die-cut and remains in very strong condition almost four decades after its aborted production. Light corner wear is all that prohibits a NRMT rating. For the Yaz (or card) collector who has everything.
1967 Topps Stand-Ups Carl Yastrzemski #21 Among the rarest of all post-war cards, and certainly among those deriving from the great Topps company, this issue was never actually released to the public, and no more than a handful of these rare test pieces ever entered the hobby. Printed on heavy cardboard stock, the cards picture players' heads, die-cut so that they could be punched out and made to stand up on the base. This card dedicated to the Red Sox Hall of Famer shows expected edge and corner wear, but the surface is very strong with only minor, barely visible defects. Excellent Condition.
1967 Boston Red Sox A.L. Championship Ring Salesman's Sample Just like the one issued to Yaz after his glorious Triple Crown season which ended with an American League flag. Nobody watching baseball in New England that summer could forget how the big outfielder carried the team on his back down the stretch, racking up league-topping numbers (.326 average, forty-four home runs, 121 runs batted in). In a sense, this is the ultimate Yaz collectible. Logo "B" on face is inhabited by two red stones, and encircled by raised text reading, "Boston Red Sox A.L. Champions." Left shank offers the team logo below the number "1967." Right shank has engraved "Yastrzemski" above cap and glove imagery. The ten karat gold keepsake measures a size 7.5. An especially scarce sample ring that very rarely sees the auction block.
Baseball Collectibles
1967 Boston Red Sox Team Signed Bat Created by the highly skilled Cooperstown Bat Co. to commemorate the Silver Anniversary of "The Impossible Dream," this fine autographed collectible holds over twenty-five perfect blue sharpie signatures from such top Sox as Triple Crown Winner Yastrzemski, Petrocelli, Lyle, Adair, Lonborg, Morehead and manager Dick Williams. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
Circa 1968 Carl Yastrzemski Wristwatch An exceptionally rare production piece, this watch is the first to reach the auction block in recent memory. The timepiece was released only in very limited numbers in the Boston area, and the child-sized band should explain what happened to the majority of those rare few--they were worn, played with, and ultimately destroyed. Our offered wristwatch somehow avoided the fate of all the others, and remains in NRMT condition, with original band. It is not currently operational, but a professional could surely change that. Though the appeal here is the rarity and the terrific graphics, featuring a bust of the Red Sox great, complete with facsimile signature, against a green baseball diamond background.
Baseball Collectibles
1970's Carl Yastrzemski Game Used Bat Great ball, stitch and spike marks on the barrel of this signature model Louisville Slugger K48 sets it head and shoulders above the majority of the other Yaz bats on the market. Solid and uncracked use is clear throughout, with Yaz's number "8" in marker on the knob. Measures thirty-five inches long at a weight of 34 ounces. Joining the bat is the note that Yaz wrote to a fan on a 4x6" index card, reading, "Rich, Hope you enjoy my game used bat, Carl Yastrzemski." A terrific piece from one of only a handful of men to achieve the coveted Triple Crown. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic with additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1970's Carl Yastrzemski Game Worn Spikes The Boston Red Sox legend wore these spikes right into the ground--in fact, you're unlikely to find any Yaz game used gear with more use. Each Spot-Bilt shoe is literally starting to come apart at the toes, but this is due in part to Carl's bizarre personal customization in which he slices "gills" in each toe with a knife. Unbelievably, ancient outfield grass still clings to the soles of each shoe, and the original laces are still present. "YAZ" is written in marker on each tongue, where at a later date he signed each in perfect blue sharpie. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic with additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
1967 and 1975 Boston Red Sox AL Championship Black Bats Rare presentational bats were only issued to players, staff and VIPs, so very few have made their way into the collecting world. Offered here are the bats presented to the BoSox for their valiant attempts at the brass ring under the guidance of Carl Yastrzemski. Each is NM+ or better.
Baseball Collectibles
1970's Carl Yastrzemski Game Used Equipment Bag This heavy canvas bag could not be purchased in any store, and could only have come from the Red Sox organization. Is it possible that this bag was waiting for Carl in the locker room as the team joyously flooded back in following Fisk's Game Six blast? We may never know. Yaz' number "8" is penned in its distinctive style in vintage marker in the clear pocket. The bag shows miles of wear, but nothing that could be considered damage. If only it still held all of the uniforms, gloves and baseballs that it surely once did! Acquired from an employee of the team, whose letter of authenticity accompanies the piece. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing, & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
1974 Carl Yastrzemski Game Worn Pants Home white knit pants still show the bruises of some hard slides on the right knee and backside, some three decades after the fact. Despite the rough and tumble life afforded them by the Red Sox superstar, the pants remain in strong and perfectly displayable condition. The inner waistband features extensive tagging: "McAuliffe, 31, 22, 1974, washing instructions," with the number "8" boldly embroidered in red to the left. These pants may have seen a second life down in the minors, as was common for most Big League uniforms for decades, but there is no question that these pants once hung in Yaz' locker at Fenway. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing, & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic.
1980's Carl Yastrzemski Game Used Bat Everything you're looking for in a 1980's Yaz bat, from the deeply imbedded stitch and ball marks on the barrel, to the number "8" in marker on the knob, to the perfect black sharpie signature on the barrel. The signature model Louisville Slugger K48 still has original grip tape on the handle, which remains mystifyingly uncracked after what had to have been a long, hard tour of duty. Thirty-five inches in length, and 33 ounces in weight. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Carl Yastrzemski Signed Green Monster & Fenway Seat Back Pieces Both of these pieces, in matching Fenway green, bore witness to the masterful play of the man who has graced them with his perfect black sharpie signature. The Green Monster segment (3"x5") was originally sold to benefit the charity "Jimmy Fund," and is highly sought after by collectors even in unsigned condition. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
1960's-80's Boston Red Sox & Carl Yastrzemski Pennant Collection (23) If only the Red Sox had this many pennants. The work of one Fenway fanatic is compiled into a single auction lot offering a strong assortment (with some duplication) of the flags that flew during Yaz' reign. Includes 1967 team photo pennant, 1975 World Series, 1967 American League Champs, 1967 World Series, 1975 World Champions (phantom, 2), 1970 All-Star Game, Yaz 1979 400 HR 3000 Hits (2), Yaz HOF Induction Day, Yaz Retires (2). Break down possibilities are very strong. Quality averages EX-MT to NRMT, with some better and few worse.
Boston Red Sox World Series Ticket and Program Collection Rather than working chronologically, we'll work logically and start with the best items in this lot. From the unforgettable October 21, 1975 game at Fenway, we have two stubs for World Series Game Six, best remembered for Carlton Fisk's glorious twelfth-inning walk-off blast. Even better, we have a program from that game, scored in pen, ending with the notation for the home run that will live in baseball lore forever. The scoring pages from the program have come loose from their staples, but otherwise the program and the stubs are in fine condition. Stub for Game Two of the '75 Series is also included (EX-MT+). Heading backwards to the 1967 Series, we offer a Fenway program scored in pen for Game One (EX). This was Yastrzemski's first World Series game. Also an unscored Busch Stadium program (EX) and a stub for Game Six back at Fenway (NM-MT). LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Collectibles
1960 through 1984 Boston Red Sox Yearbook Run (30) First and second editions are present, accounting for the fact that there are more publications here than there were seasons in Yaz' career. And in tribute to the man who owned the hearts of Fenway before Yastrzemski, we also offer the final yearbook to feature Ted Williams. Best in the collection is the yearbook for the Impossible Dream season of '67, which features perfect red ink signatures from Ted Williams, Sal Maglie, Jim Lonborg and nine more. Overall condition averages a very consistent NRMT. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
1967 & 1969 Topps Carl Yastrzemski Original Artwork Direct from the auction of famed sportscard pioneer Topps 1989 auction come two sheets of original cartoon artwork used on the verso of several late 1960's cards, most notably those of the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame legend. Each sheet of heavy artist's paper measures approximately 10x13" in size, with the first holding the artwork for four 1967 cards, and the latter for nine 1969's. Included as well is a strong specimen of Yaz' 1969 card, with the comical cartoon portrait in the upper right hand corner of the back.
1984 Star Cards Uncut Sheets (2) A very rare issue, even more scarce in sheet form. Two complete Yaz sets are found on the left side of the first sheet. Mild to moderate creasing throughout. The second offers a much higher grade, but in proof format. Note that the border colors are not present, and that the printing is absent from the reverse. A Near Mint rarity.
Boston Red Sox World Series Press Pins (2) & 1989 Hall of Fame Induction Pin What do these pins have in common? If you guessed "Carl Yastrzemski," you win. Each is free of even the hint of a flaw. Now it's true that the Sox fans wearing the 1967 and 1975 World Series pins didn't quite go home happy, but the rare and desirable Hall of Fame induction pin is certain to bring a smile to any true BoSox supporter.
Carl Yastrzemski Multi-Signed Hall of Fame Cards Uncut Sheet Here's something you don't see every day. Slightly smaller than the postcard-sized Hall of Fame plaques that are common in the hobby, these golden images of Yaz' Cooperstown plaque are all signed by the man himself in perfect blue sharpie. That's twenty-four cards, twenty-four autographs. Attractively matted and framed to 16"x24" in size. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Collectibles
1989 Hall of Fame Induction Collection (3) An impressive class, to be certain. 1) Large signed photograph: Red Schoendienst, Umpire Al Barlick, Carl Yastrzemski and Johnny Bench sit shoulder to shoulder holding their presentational plaques, upon which each has signed in perfect blue sharpie. Photo is 16"x20" in size, and NRMT. 2) Signed program: All four inductees have signed in blue sharpie on the cover of the yearbook issued for the event. EX-MT+. 3) Crystal ball: Engraved limited edition (53/250) glass ball holds the logo of the Hall of Fame's Silver Anniversary and the names of all four inductees. Housed in a fine wooden box. LOA's from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Baseball Cards
Carl Yastrzemski Life-Sized Bronze Bust This magnificent item was issued as #1 in a series of 50 and designated as such with an ingraving on the reverse. If the Red Sox Hall of Famer were dipped head first into gold paint, he wouldn't look this realistic. A masterful work, precise down to the pores in his face, this bust will be the centerpiece of even the most impressive Red Sox collection. You simply cannot take your eyes off of it. It is mounted on a stark and dignified black wooden box, which perfectly offsets the quality of the artwork, raising it to museum quality stature. This is the kind of piece you place on a pedestal, both literally and figuratively.
Baseball Collectibles
Alex Rodriguez 1995 Spring Training Game Worn Jersey A-Rod had only seventeen Major League games under his belt as he suited up this jersey as a nineteen-year old rookie for the Seattle Mariners. The blue mesh gamer shows strong wear, with "Mariners" sewn across chest, and a simple grey tackle twill number "3" on verso. Team logo patch on left sleeve. Tail tagging is from "Majestic Diamond Collection," with another such label in the collar with "XL" flap tag affixed. Perfect black sharpie inscription on rear numeral reads, "Alex Rodriguez, 1995." Certificate of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1995 Game Worn Rookie Turf Shoes The superstar shortstop was just a nineteen year-old kid when he laced up these Nike high-tops in brief service (he only appeared in forty-eight games) of the Seattle Mariners. The size twelve footwear shows strong wear however, and each is signed in perfect black sharpie by Alex. Number "3" in marker on each heel. Rodriguez has also signed the included certificate of authenticity. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1994-95 Game-Worn and Signed Batting Helmet Listen to us on this one.You really, honestly, ought to bid on this helmet. We should explain: It seems all but a foregone conclusion that this guy is going to rewrite the record books by the time his career is through. He was fastest to 300 home runs, fastest to 350. He's gone 40/40, one of three to do so. He is, quite simply, a strong contender for the title of greatest ballplayer ever. This rookie-era hard hat, showing strong Pacific Northwest wear, is dated with the interior time clock to June 1994, a year that saw the eighteen year-old A-Rod appear in just eighteen games. In 1995, it was forty-eight games. As more and more memorabilia from this superstar athlete appears in the market, pieces such as this one will remain all but non-existent. Logo "S" over visor, and number "3" on the verso. "American Baseball Cap [size] 7 1/8" sticker inside. Signed, "Alex Rodriguez, Game Used" on visor in perfect blue sharpie. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1994 Game Used Rookie Bat It's hard to believe that the kid from Miami had to figure out a way to squeeze by on $400,000 a year his rookie season, but he's more than made up for it since. Rodriguez worked his way up there with bats like this one, a Cooper Pro 100 showing some strong ball strikes on the shiny black barrel. Signed in perfect silver sharpie, "Alex Rodriguez, Game Used Rookie Bat." Uncracked. Thirty-four inches long, at a weight of thirty-one ounces. The certificate of authenticity is signed by Alex himself. As A-Rod continues to thunder his way into the record books, the gear will continue to flow into the hobby, but not stuff like this. Only a small handful of his rookie equipment exists, and its value will only increase with the passing of the years. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1995 Game Worn Mariners Rookie Jersey The coveted rookie shirt. In the collecting world, there is none higher, and the universally low availability of representations from top athletes leaves most who seek them out in the cold. This doesn't have to be the case with Alex Rodriguez, however, who seems poised to go down in history as the greatest ever. This teal Seattle Mariners uniform was one of only a tiny handful of gamers utilized during the nineteen-year old shortstop's forty-eight games of action that first season. Silvery "Mariners" spans chest, with the all-important "Rodriguez 3" on the verso. Left and right sleeves offer team logo and Negro League Seventy-fifth Anniversary patches respectively. "Russell Athletic Diamond Collection [size[ 48" label in tail has "100% Polyester" flap tag and "95" year tag below. Light but definite wear. Signed in perfect silver sharpie on verso, "Alex Rodriguez, 1995 Rookie (Gamer)." Certificate of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1995 ALCS Game Used Bat So many reasons to adore this bat, it's hard to know where to begin! Let's start with the fact that it's a rookie bat, used during a season that didn't even see A-Rod reach his sixtieth career game. Next, we have to address the use, which is so phenomenally, outrageously tremendous that we have to wonder why the bat isn't just sawdust by now. And finally, this is the very bat that Alex took to his one and only plate appearance in the Seattle Mariners' 1995 ALCS. A cracked handle mercifully ended what had to have been a long and arduous life for this Rawlings Big Stick 460B, at which point it was inscribed on the barrel in perfect silver sharpie, "Alex Rodriguez #3, 1995 A.L. Championship Game Used." Measures thirty-four inches in length, at a weight of 33 ounces. Certificate of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1996 Spring Training Worn Jersey A Cactus League gamer dating from the very beginning of Rodriguez' breakthrough season. The blue mesh gamer shows nice wear from under the hot Arizona sun, with "Mariners" sewn across chest, and a simple grey tackle twill number "3" on verso. Team logo patch on left sleeve. Tail tagging is from "Majestic Diamond Collection," with an "XL" flap tag affixed. Perfect black sharpie inscription on rear numeral reads, "Alex Rodriguez #3, Game Used." Certificate of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1996 Tour of Japan Game-Worn and Signed Spikes Following in the footsteps (no pun intended) of Lou and the Babe, who brought Far East baseball tourism into fashion in the 1930s, A-Rod traveled the diamonds of the Land of the Rising Sun in these lightly-worn Nikes. Size twelve shoes are each signed and notated "96 Japan Tour" in perfect black sharpie. Signed COA is from Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA..
Alex Rodriguez 1996 All-Star Game Worn Mariners Jersey This isn't just any All-Star jersey -- it's an Alex Rodriguez All-Star jersey. And it's not just any Alex Rodriguez All-Star jersey, it's Alex Rodriguez' first All-Star jersey. We have to admit, we're a bit surprised he would let this one go. Nothing could be more satisfying (short of a Championship ring) than an invitation to the Midsummer Classic, especially for a twenty-year old kid in the very competitive shortstop position. But sure enough, Alex let this one go, and the provenance is just impeccable. There are not one, but two signed letters from Alex himself attesting to the authenticity of the jersey, and a third from an employee of the Scott Boras Corporation, A-Rod's high-powered agent. b On to the jersey itself, which exhibits particularly strong wear, suggesting that it was in regular rotation for Alex before the All-Star break. The grey roadster offers a bold "Seattle" on the chest, with "Rodriguez 3" on verso. The team logo patch on the left sleeve is overshadowed by the ostentatious All-Star Game patch on the right. "Russell Athletic Diamond Collection [size] 48" labeling in the tail rises above a "100% Polyester" flap tag and "96" year strip tag. And finally, Alex offers two modes of display, as he has inscribed both front and back in perfect blue sharpie: "Alex Rodriguez All-Star 96 Gamer." LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1996 Game Used Ken Griffey, Jr. Bat Imagine a Ruth bat used by Gehrig. A DiMaggio bat used by Mantle. This one will someday fall into that hypothetical realm, offering two Hall of Fame legends for the price of one. A-Rod developed a fondness for Junior's bats apparently, and took this Griffey signature model Louisville Slugger C271 to the plate with him a few times from the look of it, before finally opening a crack on the back of the barrel that ended its tour of duty. Original grip tape on handle, and perfect silver sharpie signature on the barrel that reads, "Alex Rodriguez, 1996 Game Used." Certificate of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1996 Home Run #33 Game Used Ken Griffey, Jr. Bat The twenty year-old Seattle Mariners shortstop emerged as a superstar during this, his first full season in the Majors, clubbing thirty-six home runs on the strength of a .358 batting average. One of his final homers of the '96 season came with a bat borrowed from his teammate Junior Griffey, offering a piece with several layers of desirability. The Griffey signature model Louisville Slugger C271 exhibits tremendous use, with endless ball, stitch and spike marks coating the barrel. Cracked just below the trademark. Original grip tape is still affixed to the handle. A perfect silver sharpie inscription on the barrel reads, "Alex Rodriguez, 96 Gamer, Homer #33." Certificate of authenticity is from Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1996 Game Used Nike Bat Talk about heavy use! This very scarce bat by Nike imitates Hillerich & Bradsby's C271 model, favored by Alex at the time. He must have liked this one a lot though, as the barrel is pounded to the point of grain separation, and was only shown mercy when a hairline crack spidered from the trademark to the barrel end. "Alex Rodriguez 3" is factory printed on the knob, and the barrel is signed in perfect silver sharpie. Measures thirty-four inches long at a weight of 33 ounces. Certificate of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1996 Grand Slam Home Run #2 (HR #7) A-Rod had a career-best six runs batted in this May 17, 1996 game, four of which came on his grand slam blast, but it wasn't enough. In truly madcap fashion, the Mariners gave up a grand slam to the Orioles in the bottom of the ninth, letting the Birds walk-off the field as 14-13 winners. But even a heartbreaking loss like that couldn't dampen the appeal of this OAL (Budig) ball, clubbed over the wall by the young superstar A-Rod to clear the bases in Baltimore. The ball shows wonderful use, and is inscribed in perfect blue ink, "Alex Rodriguez, 1996, Grand Slam ball #2, 5-17-96." This is one of the earliest Alex Rodriguez home run baseballs ever to reach the auction block, and we're quite sure that the only A-Rod grand slam ball to precede this one is lost to the ages. As such, this is a particularly rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own something truly special from the game's greatest athlete. Letter of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 1996 Grand Slam #3 Home Run Baseball It takes more than just numbers to make a great player. A true superstar comes through in the clutch, brings the runners home. Though only twenty years old at the time, A-Rod's ability to stay cool under pressure helped him drive this OAL (Budig) ball over the wall with the bases loaded to record his third grand slam of his amazing 1996 season. It's also noteworthy that this was just his twenty-second career home run, one of the very earliest A-Rod home run balls ever to hit the auction block. Finally, this seventeenth home run of the 1996 season broke the squad record for most home runs in a season by a shortstop, a figure Alex would more than double by season's end. The historic sphere shows strong game use, though all ink, penned entirely in Rodriguez' hand on two separate panels, is perfect: "Alex Rodriguez, 96 Grand Slam ball #3, 7-6-96, A-Rod, Single Season Record HR #17, Grand Slam." Certificate of authenticity is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Alex Rodriguez 2001 Game Worn Rangers Jersey A league-leading fifty-two home runs, 133 runs scored and eighty-seven extra base hits seemed to justify the twenty-five million dollar paycheck that brought A-Rod to Texas this season, where he suited up for the first time in a home white Rangers jersey such as this one. Team nickname and number "3" offer a southwestern feel on the chest, with "Rodriguez 3" on verso. Lone Star state flag and American League centennial patches adorn left and right sleeves respectively. "Rawlings Authentic Collection" label in tail is bristling with flap tags: "2 Inch Extra Length, 1 Inch Extra Sleeve Length, 50, Set 1 2001." Signed in perfect black sharpie on verso, "Alex Rodriguez, 2001 Game Used." Letter of authenticity comes from Alex' personal marketing company, and is signed by Rodriguez himself. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Cardinals 1940's Game Used Minor League Jersey Given that fact that Rawlings is based in St. Louis, they were known for giving the Cards uniforms a little extra TLC and this minor league flannel appears to have been a beneficiary. The chenille birds and bat logo on the chest is a slightly simplified version of the real deal, but it is an exquisitely crafted flannel. The felt number "14" is in the proper red and navy design and the Rawlings manufacturers tag reads Size 42. Short of scattered foxing and a few minor moth holes, the jersey displays very well, and would still make a fine home for a Stan Musial autograph, or some other similar use for a Cardinals fan. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Ray Mueller 1949 Game-Worn Jersey Just like the '49 New York Giants flannels worn by Mueller's teammates Johnny Mize and Bobby Thomson. This beautiful Polo Grounds veteran offers the classic Old English "Giants" in Halloween colors on the chest, with number "4" on verso. Black and orange piping on sleeves and collar in fine condition. "Ray Mueller" is chain stitched on a swatch inside the collar. The tail has been trimmed and hemmed for the purpose of framing, thereby losing the tagging that resided there. Other than this modification, the jersey remains in fantastic condition, a rare find from the glory days of New York City baseball. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Sandy Koufax 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers Game Worn Road Jersey Curiosity forces us to ask "What if?" That's what a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers wondered when he saw a young man pitching for the University of Cincinnati who could hurl a blazing fastball, but not control it. "What if he could learn to paint the corners at ninety-five miles per hour?" thought Al Campanis. The answer began to unfold in 1955, when Koufax signed a contract and began playing for the Dodgers. Catcher Norm Sherry felt the man with the golden arm was overthrowing, and suggested to him in 1961 that he "ease off a bit." Taking his advice, Koufax closed out the season with eighteen wins. It was smooth sailing from that point on, as Koufax's over-the-top motion earned him six years that were just as prolific: from 1961 through 1966, the fan-favorite threw four no-hitters (one of which was a perfect game), was named Sports Illustrated's "Sportsman of the Year", and won three (pitcher's) Triple Crowns, two World Series MVP Awards, three Cy Young Awards (two of which were by unanimous voting), and two Hickock Belts (the only man to be the recipient more than once). Arthritic pain brought a premature end to Sandy Koufax's career, and after he gracefully bowed out of the game once the 1966 season had closed, fans were left asking "What if health had smiled with more favor upon the boy from Brooklyn?" It is an issue that many have hypothesized about, frequently concluding that Koufax was the greatest athlete to ever step foot on a mound. Based on what the world saw, it's hard to make a strong counter-argument.

That being said, it is with great pride and excitement that we offer this game used flannel, worn by Koufax throughout the last season that the Dodgers represented the borough of Brooklyn. Serious uniform collectors, who will certainly be chief among those in the hunt for this monumental offering, need no lesson in the rarity of Brooklyn Dodgers flannels. In any auction year, only one or two might make it to the block. The appearance of a superstar Hall of Famer among that small handful, therefore, is definitely worthy of a letter home. The intense desirability of this piece is even further compounded by its wonderfully strong condition, also a rarity among jerseys from this era that tend to show moth holes, extensive staining, tears and/or restoration. While wear is clearly evident, "damage" is held to an absolute minimum. Short of a single egg-sized brown patch on the verso, a half-inch tear under the letter "D" on the chest, and a hole in the blue felt of the team nickname the size of a ball bearing, this jersey shows no signs of change from its days on the shoulders of the great southpaw. "Dodgers" is sewn in classic blue felt script across the chest, with the immortal number "32" taking up the rear. "Spalding [size] 44" labeling in the tail gives way to the chain-stitched "Koufax 57" just below. Finally, Mr. Koufax has added his perfect blue sharpie signature to the inner collar of the jersey, leaving the jersey's new owner with nothing left to do but gaze upon it with childlike wonder. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Mickey Mantle 1963 New York Yankees Game-Worn Home Jersey Imagine it is May 22, 1963. You are sitting in the grandstand at Yankee Stadium, rather dismayed that the masterful 7-0 shutout the Bombers had been dominating has degraded into a tie ballgame. The ninth inning ends. Inning 10 goes by. The Yankees retire Kansas City. Bottom of the 11th. Mickey Mantle steps up to the plate. The count reaches 2-2. Your hopes of The Mick crushing one are beginning to fade. And then, something magical happens -- with perfect form, Mantle connects. Both teams rise at the crack of the bat. The white orb rockets upward. Yogi Berra shouts, "That's it!" You wait for it to peak and fall, but it doesn't stop. It is still heading for the clouds when it meets with the gothic facade hanging from the roof of the right field upper deck, 370 feet from home plate and 118 feet above the ground directly below. Deflected from its initial trajectory, the baseball is knocked back into the infield from whence it came. You are so in awe of the feat just witnessed, the thought to cheer for the Yankee victory takes a moment. Had the ball's flight path been unobstructed, it would have soared a minimum of 620 feet. It would have easily cleared the highest seat in Yankee Stadium, and surely the buildings across the street. Geometry has shown that it is not unreasonable to think that the ball could have traveled over 700 feet if air was its only obstacle. Such was the greatness of the man who wore number 7 on his back.

The offered flannel is "The Mick's" Yankees home jersey is from that 1963 season, and may very well be the one Mantle wore on May 22nd. The creme flannel jersey has the famous Yankee pinstripes with navy wool "NY" crest along the left breast and the original "7" on the reverse. It bears the Spalding manufacturer's and size "44" tag with "63" chain stitched below. "Mantle" is chain stitched into a swatch sewn in the collar and the dry clean tags on the interior of the left tail read "Set 1 - 1963". The jersey is original and unaltered, displaying moderate game wear throughout, including several small holes and light, scattered stains on the tails. In the 21st century, many top players wear each uniform only once -- that way they can sell it off to a dealer, or present it to a lucky collector. Sometimes, such pieces are given away to dignitaries or special fans. The latter was the case with this jersey, except that back in 1963, each player received only two uniforms of each style for an entire season, obviously making this an extremely rare piece. It was given by the Yankees organization to a man who was, at one time, a professional baseball player and still had ties to the game. This man was our consignors grandfather, who made the request on behalf of his wife, a great Mantle fan. Clearly, the request was fulfilled, and the jersey stayed in the collection of the husband and wife, both of whom passed away several years ago. The jersey has been consigned to us by the couple's family, it includes a detailed notarized letter which describes the provenance and it has received the coveted A-10 designation from SCD Authentic.This phenomenal item has never before been available to the public and as most enthusiasts know, it has been quite some time since a completely unaltered and authentic example has made its way into the hobby. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Nelson Mathews 1963 Chicago Cubs Game-Worn Road Uniform Highly desirable style of road grey flannel was worn by Nelson Matthews during the 1963 season, who shared the dugout with such superstars to have worn similar jerseys as Ernie Banks, Lou Brock and Billy Williams. The jersey once belonged to Nelson Mathews, whose number "23," still quite visible in a ghostly form, was later replaced with the current "30" digits. Red and blue is the theme throughout, with block lettered "Chicago" sewn across chest, charming bear head patch on left sleeve, number "30" on verso, and sleeve and collar piping. Swatch sewn inside collar is embroidered in black thread, "23-4-44," while the tail features a similar "1963" below the Spalding and "44" tagging. Light wear has left this jersey in beautiful, pristine condition. We'll even throw in two pairs of pants from 1961 and 1962, also from unidentified players, but matching the jersey and perfect for display purposes. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Mickey Mantle 1968 Game-Worn Pants The great career of Mickey Mantle could have easily ended before it ever really began. Chasing down a fly ball in the 1951 World Series, Mickey pulled up when center fielder Joe DiMaggio called him off, catching his spikes in a sprinkler head in the process and buckling his knee. The injury took him out of the remainder of that historic Series, and pain in that joint would plague him for the rest of his playing days. We're forced to wonder what the great number Seven could have accomplished if he had two good legs beneath him, but in a sense the fact that he played injured, posting more games in pinstripes than any Yankee in history, is part of the reason we loved him. But we all knew he couldn't last forever.

These pinstriped pants are quite possibly the last ever worn in the Bronx by the great, wounded veteran. We imagine that many days throughout that final season he would reach down and rub his bad knee through the flannel, and wonder just how much longer he could keep going. Perhaps these were even the pants the Mick was wearing on Friday, September 20th, when he took Red Sox star pitcher Jim Lonborg deep at Yankee Stadium, and limped around the bases for the 536th and final time. With even the great Mickey Mantle issued only two home and two road uniforms per season, it's certainly not hard to imagine. The visible wear is just tremendous, showing all the attributes of fine use you look for in flannel uniforms. Ancient infield clay is ground into the seat. The fabric in the crotch area is heavily pilled from the friction of running, and the interior waistband is yellowed with sweat. A swatch embroidered "Mantle 68 - 24 ins" is sewn inside the rear interior waistband, and surrounded by a "Wilson" manufacturer's tag, "68" and "7" in vintage marker, and a perfect black sharpie autograph from the man himself. With jerseys from this most beloved of Hall of Fame ballplayer all but inaccessible for under six figures, this is a fine chance to own a special piece of Yankee history indeed. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Reggie Jackson 1969 Oakland Athletics Game Worn Home Jersey "God, do I love to hit that little round son-of-a-bitch out of the park and make 'em say 'Wow!'" explained Reggie Jackson, and he made them say "Wow" a lot. Five hundred sixty-three times, to be exact, and that doesn't even count those World Series blasts that earned him the nickname "Mr. October." A player with that kind of power, especially when it counts, will never be forgotten, and Reggie's Hall of Fame plaque further assures this fact. While most of us may remember him for that incredible Yankee performance in the clinching Game Six of the '78 Series, when he took three swings, and three free jogs around the bases, there are folks in Oakland who still think of Reggie as theirs -- they even brought him back for his final season, at age forty-one, just to prove it to the world. Their boy was home.

This very special offering is the home white flannel vest worn by a twenty-three year old Jackson during the Summer of Love, 1969 as a member of the Oakland Athletics. Even though, like fine wine, Reggie seemed to improve with age, the fact remains that this season represented the slugger at the height of his slugging powers. Both his home run total (47) and his runs batted in (118) were career highs, as were his 123 runs scored, a league-leading figure. It's no coincidence that he earned his first All-Star nod this year as well. While a scant few representations of this highly desirable style from Reggie's teammates have reached the auction block in recent years, it's important to note that this one stands head and shoulders above the rest, and not just due to its royal lineage. Almost every last Athletics jersey of this era was sent down to the minors for reincarnation, a process which involved removing the logo "A" over the heart and replacing it with that team's insignia. As a result, essentially every jersey you see from this era has a restored "A," or is left with the minor league patch instead. Such is not the case here -- check the stitching, fabric wear and basic "look" of the "A" against the number "9" on the chest and back, and you will have no doubt that nothing has moved since it was issued to Reggie. The important Baseball Centennial patch, typically on the sleeve of jerseys from this era, is properly placed below the leg of the logo "A" on the left side of the vest, and the original "McAuliffe Uniform Corp., 69, 44" tagging is present and accounted for in the tail. The wear is marvelous, particularly noticeable in the crinkling of the green tackle twill numbers and logo, a process that is caused by body salts associated with sweat. Finally, Mr. Jackson has given his blessing to this important piece with his perfect black sharpie signature on the upper right chest. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Late 1990's Keith Foulke St. Patrick's Day Game-Worn Jersey and Cap The ChiSox suited up in leprechaun green on this hard-drinking holiday, a single-game style highly sought after by uniform collectors. This jersey and cap were worn by the star reliever in either 1998 or 1999. The mesh jersey offers the "Sox" logo on the chest, and number "29" on verso. "Russell Athletic Diamond Collection [size] 46" label in tail, with "100% Nylon" flap tag below. The matching cap is tagged "New Era [size] 7 3/8" inside the headband, with number "29" in marker under the visor. Each piece shows understandably light wear, and is signed in perfect black sharpie. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Nolan Ryan 1991 Game Issued & Autographed Rangers Jersey Nolan Ryan pitched during four decades with a scorching 100 mph fastball and a work ethic like no other. He dominated hitters over 27 seasons on his way to an all-time strikeout record with 5,714 K's. The offered 1991 Texas white game-issued home jersey is from the magical season in which Ryan recorded his 7th No-hitter. The jersey is lettered "Rangers" across the front and features the number "34" with Ryan's name on the reverse. The proper Rawlings manufacturers tagging appears on the lower left tail with a perfect "10" Ryan signature. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA..
Barry Bonds 1998 San Francisco Giants Game Worn Jersey With Shirt Well on his way to baseball immortality as the new home run king with nearly 700 round-trippers and counting, this superb gamer represents an amazing piece of our national pastime as well as a very sound investment. The knit home jersey bears the Rawlings label on the left tail reading "48 1 98" denoting the size, set number, and year respectively. "Giants" is sewn across the front of the jersey, with "Bonds" and "25" on the verso which is made up of black and orange tackle twill. A perfect "10" Bonds signature is scripted on the number "5" of the reverse in bold silver sharpie. The upper left breast bears the remnants of the "Until There's A Cure Day" patch in the form of a red ribbon, which was worn on August 9, 1998. The patch has been removed since the jersey was worn after that day as well, but the lot includes a replacement patch for display purposes. This lot also includes Bonds' game worn Giants black turtleneck undershirt with Majestic manufacturers tags and "25" written across the tag in black sharpie. An outstanding lot of one of this generations greatest players and the most prolific long ball hitter in the game. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
1998 Mark McGwire Game Worn Uniform To those who believe that Big Mac's accomplishments in 1998 were somehow diminished by those of Bonds in 2001, we must respectfully disagree. Though McGwire's record was still in diapers when it was felled by Barry, the latter never captured the imagination of the baseball world the way the Sosa - McGwire chase of '98 did. Just like the Babe "saved" baseball after the Black Sox scandal with his thunderous bat, so did the Cardinals slugger after the sport took a big hit from the 1994 strike. It was McGwire who chipped through the hard shell of cynicism that was left behind by the cancelled season and let us look upon the game again with new eyes. While a handful of jerseys from that special season have found their way to the auction block, it's particularly rare to find a shirt with the matching pants, as we have here. The combination offers a greatly heightened opportunity for display, and we would expect that the winning bidder would be shopping for a mannequin as soon as the hammer falls. The shirt offers the most attractive of all baseball logos, with the chenille birds and bat rising above the classically scripted "Cardinals" on the chest. "McGwire 25" is sewn in red and navy tackle twill on verso. Just above the custom-shortened inner tail is the proper "Rawlings" label with "52" and "Set 1 1998" flap tags affixed. The matching pants offer the same "Rawlings" label beside a machine embroidered swatch that reads, "McGwire 25 36-39 37 98." Both pieces show wear that makes us wonder, how many trips around the bases did they take? After all, with McGwire hitting a home run in almost every other game, there is virtually no chance that this uniform could be a long ball virgin. Don't worry too much if you miss out on this one though -- you can always peer at one just like it through plexiglass in Cooperstown. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Ken Griffey, Jr.2001 Cincinnati Reds Home Jersey Griffey has recently become a member of baseball's exclusive 500 home run club and although he has been hampered by injuries, he is still only 34 years of age and surely has plenty of tape measure home runs left in the tank. This lot features "Junior's" 2001 Cincinnati Reds home pinstripe vest jersey. The knit has the "C-Reds" logo on the left chest with the "30" over the right front chest. "Griffey" is sewn in across the back with all lettering and numbering in plain block, three color, drop shadow twill. The Russell Athletic tag is sewn into the front left tail with a "Property of Cincinnati Reds 2001 flap" along with size tagging. The gamer shows quality and consistent wear throughout with tackle twill puckering and slight discoloration of the manufacturers tags. This is a must have piece that will only continue to appreciate in value "Junior" continues on his journey to Cooperstown. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
2001 Mike Piazza Game-Worn Jersey Having just eclipsed Carlton Fisk's career record for home runs as a catcher, there is nowhere left for this Shea superstar to go but Cooperstown. So consider this home white gamer an investment for the future, a boost for Junior's college fund, as it will certainly increase in value when that inevitable day comes. "Mets 31" spans the chest in drop-shadowed blue and orange. "Piazza 31" on verso. Classic team logo patch adorns the left sleeve. "Rawlings Authentic Collection" label in tail offers size "50" and "Set 1 2001" flap tags. Game use is evident, with no alterations of any kind. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
Tom "Flash" Gordon 2002 Game-Worn Jersey Now a bright spot in the New York Yankees otherwise problematic stable of pitchers, Flash wore this home white pinstriped jersey during a brief tenure at Wrigley. Cubs logo patches reside over the heart and on left sleeve, with "Gordon 45" on verso. "Majestic Authentic Collection [size] 44" tagging in tail, and "45 44 02 S2" embroidered swatch sewn inside collar. Light wear. Acquired directly from the Cubs organization, with their descriptive tag still affixed. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic.
2003 Eric Gagne Game-Worn Jersey We can guarantee this -- the star Los Angeles Dodgers reliever did not blow a save while wearing this jersey. In fact, between August 26, 2002 and July 5, 2004, the Canadian right hander was perfect in a record-crushing 84 save attempts, outpacing his closest competitor by a full thirty games. What else could the Cy Young Award voting commission do after Gagne's perfect 2003 but break from tradition and present the prize to a non-starter? The home white Los Angeles Dodgers jersey exhibits sweaty, superstar wear, with "Dodgers 38" in classic blue and red on chest, and "Gagne 38" on verso. Team logo patch on left sleeve. "Majestic Authentic Collection" label in tail is affixed with size "52" flap tag. Rear numerals are signed in perfect silver paint pen. Imagine owning a jersey from DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, and you will begin to understand the relevance of this esteemed offering. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/SCD Authentic. Additional LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.
Willie McCovey's 1959 First Major League Home Run Baseball They say that first love is the sweetest, and if you ask any ballplayer, he'll tell you that the same holds true for the first Major League long ball. After sweating it out in the minors, hitting that first one in "The Show" serves as a special sort of validation and gives you a sense of belonging as you jog unimpeded around the bags. As for that first ball, however, the parting is generally sweet sorrow. A few Big Leaguers have been fortunate enough to dump historic homers into the bullpen or some other restricted area, but more often than not it's pocketed by a fan in the bleachers and never seen again. This was only half true for the rookie McCovey, who delivered this Warren Giles, Official National League Spalding ball into the cheap seats of Seals Stadium in San Francisco on August 2, 1959. As the local paper, the "Chronicle Sporting Green" described it, "...Willie caught a fast ball on the sweet part of both bat and ball and rocketed a line drive to within two rows of the top of the right field bleachers at 385 feet..." But on the receiving end of that blistering blast was a young soldier named Harley Morgan, who, even then, had a sense that he had something special. His testimonial letter recounts the story well:

"On the morning of August 2, 1959, my friend Gene McCarlie and another soldier by the name of Floyd from Fort Worth, Texas got into my VW Bug and left for S.F. right after breakfast and walked into Seals Stadium for 50 cents apiece to sit in the right field stands. As we watched batting practice and both teams warm up, the stands became full beyond their capacity. None of us had ever attended a Major League game and it was big time for us. I am not sure of the inning, as the paper articles are not clear on that, but Willie hit the ball and Gene said, "Here it comes!" It is all about being at the right place at the right time. I stood up, and at 6'4" I am taller than those around me, and the ball came directly to me about two feet over my head. Having played a lot of baseball in high school and college before entering the service to complete my six months active duty, and being in the best shape of my life, I caught the ball cleanly with my bare hands and it did not hurt at all. My recollection of the event is different than the paper. People did not scatter. They crunched into the area where the ball would have landed. Nobody saw me catch it and I immediately put it inside my shirt so nobody would know where it was. For several minutes the crowd was frantically looking and digging under the seats to find where the ball had landed. The rest is history. When Gene, Floyd and I went to the clubhouse to get the autograph of Willie there was so much confusion around the clubhouse door, and I was told by fans "There is Willie!", but it was Filipe Alou. Another fan said, "There is Willie!" and it was Leon Wagner. And finally when Willie came out the clubhouse door, there was no mistaking it was Willie McCovey, a very big man indeed."

The baseball remains today quite the same in appearance as it did forty-five years ago on a warm day in San Francisco. Sure enough, there are three signatures on the side panel, those of McCovey impostors Felipe Alou and Leon Wagner, and then Willie himself. The ball is lightly toned with age, and shows definite signs of its historic use. Included with the baseball are the consignor's letter, the articles recounting the events of the game, and a small clipping from the "Fort Ord Daily," which reads:

"SOLDIER NABS SOUVENIR: Willie McCovey of the San Francisco Giants went home Sunday, August 2, with his first big league homer, and V. Harley Morgan, a recent graduate of Basic Army Administration Course, 4th Brigade, caught the ball. Morgan, now assigned to Reception Company, was in the stands Sunday watching the San Francisco - Pittsburgh game."

A thrilling day for all involved, to be certain. The remainder of that historic season would continue on much as it did that day in San Francisco, as the twenty-one year old kid from Mobile, AL laid claim to the National League Rookie of the Year honors on the strength of just fifty-two games in action. Could anyone in that park on August 2, 1959, including Mr. Morgan, the thousands of fans, or even the great Mr. McCovey himself, have possibly imagined that there would be 520 more home runs yet to come, opening wide the welcoming gates of Cooperstown?

Heritage Sports Collectibles is pleased and honored to offer for the first time to the collecting public this most rare and desirable artifact from one of our national pastimes' most celebrated sluggers. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/SCD Authentic. Additional LOA's James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Gutierrez/MGA.


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Dallas, TX 75261-6199

Street Address:
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75261-4127
(Northwest corner of W. Airport Freeway & Valley View Lane)
All Rights Reserved
1-800-872-6467 / (214) 528-3500 / Fax: (214) 443-842