2010 August Signature Sports Collectibles Auction

1921 First Partnership Between Babe Ruth & Christy Walsh Signed Document. The simple, single typed page presented here is deceptively unassuming, as it marks a sea change in the sporting world, uniting those two unabashedly American darlings, baseball and capitalism, in a profoundly new way. Those well-versed in pre-war baseball history will undoubtedly be familiar with the name Christy Walsh, recognized as the first sports agent, whose client list boasted a who's who of Golden Age sport: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Knute Rockne, John McGraw, Ty Cobb, and more. In a modern age when the line between athlete and corporate spokesman has been blurred to a dusty cloud by thousands of advertisements from shoes, cereals, underwear and video games, it's difficult today to imagine a time when this was not the norm. But Christy Walsh was the visionary who set the trend in motion, with Babe Ruth unquestionably his greatest asset. This agreement is the first of their historic partnership.

While the commodification of the American athlete remains a point of contention almost eight decades after Walsh and Ruth began their lucrative alliance, there's no denying that the development is as historically significant as Jackie Robinson's emergence or any other event which forever altered sports' status quo. Certainly athletes had endorsed products for years prior to Walsh's arrival on the scene, but the young sports licensing pioneer was the first to implement such a regimented approach, the first to represent a stable of stars and systematically convert fame into dollars for his clientele. It was Walsh who orchestrated the famous "Bustin' Babes vs. Larrupin' Lous" barnstorming tours of 1927 and 1928, who got the Babe his own NBC radio show in the late 1930's, and who pulled the strings to make sure his tragically deceased client Lou Gehrig would be properly honored by the 1942 film "The Pride of the Yankees."

The presented contract, dated February 21, 1921, secures the Bambino's name for use with a forthcoming series of syndicated baseball columns to be ghostwritten "by qualified sporting writers" and signed "By Babe Ruth." Walsh indicates "I agree to pay you Fifty (50) Percent of the gross receipts, a special consideration. My profit and all office and syndicating expenses, including printing, postage etc. will come from the balance." The Yankees legend asserts his acceptance of the terms with a gloriously bold 10/10 "Geo. H. Ruth" signature. In equally strong ink, Walsh adds a handwritten notation, closing with his own 10/10 autograph. The single page of Walsh's personal business letterhead exhibits original storage folds and minor edge and corner wear, but no damage of note. The cultured baseball historian will realize the colossal importance of the document, and bid accordingly. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.


The Christy Walsh Collection, Part I.

Christy Walsh was nothing if not persistent. The syndicated cartoonist and newspaper columnist had enjoyed limited success hawking a series of ghostwritten articles for World War I ace turned star race car driver Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, but was convinced that a similar Babe Ruth partnership would prove to be a gold mine. He had watched the young recruit from the Boston Red Sox pack the Polo Grounds during the 1920 season, more than doubling the 620,000 tickets sold by the Yankees in 1919. Surely such popularity would translate to the newspaper business.

His initial attempts to meet with the Babe proved fruitless, however. "Get an appointment," Ruth would shout at Walsh as he attempted to accost him in the streets of Manhattan. Undeterred, Walsh took to camping out at the Ansonia Hotel where Ruth was living. Far more pestered than intrigued, the young Yankees star took to ducking out side doors to avoid the tenacious stalker, and hotel management forced Walsh onto the sidewalk, where he remained for days, waiting. Walsh had stopped in at a delicatessen next door to the Ansonia when his big break came. It was late February, just days before the Yankees would head south for their Hot Springs training grounds.

Overhearing a telephone call ordering a case of beer to Ruth's room, Walsh convinced the deli owner to allow him to deliver it. Five minutes later he was standing in the Babe's hotel room. Before the slugger could eject him, Walsh asked what the United News had paid him for his ghostwritten articles.

"Five dollars a piece," Ruth told him.

"I can get you five hundred," Walsh insisted.

The next day Christy Walsh returned to Ruth's hotel room with the document which leads off the special "Platinum Night" auction presented on the pages that follow. It marks not only the beginning of a lifetime association between Ruth and Walsh, but also the first public offering of The Christy Walsh Collection, an extraordinary archive from the definitive sports marketing pioneer. The remarkable, symbiotic relationship between Ruth and Walsh would continue for the rest of their lives, and Walsh's roster of talent would grow to include the greatest names in American sports. We offer a peek at its fascinating contents in lots 80001 through 80003, and advise you to stay tuned to future Heritage auctions to discover more of the treasures within.

1930 Babe Ruth & Christy Walsh Signed Check. Any check signed by the great Babe Ruth is a desirable commodity, and we'd never suggest otherwise. But if we were to be entirely honest, we'd admit that the standard "GH Ruth" signature that attends the overwhelming majority of representations is our least favorite autograph variation. Conversely, we find one of our favorites here.

The presented example stands head and shoulders above the pack, boasting a flawlessly bold and elegantly rendered "George Herman Ruth" signature beside that of his trusted agent, Christy Walsh. We believe that it is Walsh's handwriting which directs the sizeable sum of $2,500 to the "Bank of Manhattan Co." A notation on verso, written in the same apparent hand, indicates that the deposit is intended "To increase principal of trust fund of Mrs. Geo. H. 'Babe' Ruth."

The July 1, 1930, date of the check indicates the Mrs. Ruth in question is his final wife, Claire, whom he had married about a year earlier, within months of the death of Helen Ruth in an apartment fire. Bank punch coding barely intersects the Babe's all-important autograph and a paper clip impression is visible at upper left, but otherwise the check exhibits no flaws worthy of note.

We'll state it directly--this is arguably the most significant and valuable Ruth check in the hobby. His appearance with pioneering sports agent Christy Walsh, the man who all but single-handedly redefined the role of sports star as celebrity, makes it so. Ideally positioned together in the rarest of formats, together on the front of a check, provides display value to match its historical import. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

The Christy Walsh Collection, Part I.

Christy Walsh was nothing if not persistent. The syndicated cartoonist and newspaper columnist had enjoyed limited success hawking a series of ghostwritten articles for World War I ace turned star race car driver Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, but was convinced that a similar Babe Ruth partnership would prove to be a gold mine. He had watched the young recruit from the Boston Red Sox pack the Polo Grounds during the 1920 season, more than doubling the 620,000 tickets sold by the Yankees in 1919. Surely such popularity would translate to the newspaper business.

His initial attempts to meet with the Babe proved fruitless, however. "Get an appointment," Ruth would shout at Walsh as he attempted to accost him in the streets of Manhattan. Undeterred, Walsh took to camping out at the Ansonia Hotel where Ruth was living. Far more pestered than intrigued, the young Yankees star took to ducking out side doors to avoid the tenacious stalker, and hotel management forced Walsh onto the sidewalk, where he remained for days, waiting. Walsh had stopped in at a delicatessen next door to the Ansonia when his big break came. It was late February, just days before the Yankees would head south for their Hot Springs training grounds.

Overhearing a telephone call ordering a case of beer to Ruth's room, Walsh convinced the deli owner to allow him to deliver it. Five minutes later he was standing in the Babe's hotel room. Before the slugger could eject him, Walsh asked what the United News had paid him for his ghostwritten articles.

"Five dollars a piece," Ruth told him.

"I can get you five hundred," Walsh insisted.

The next day Christy Walsh returned to Ruth's hotel room with the document which leads off the special "Platinum Night" auction presented on the pages that follow. It marks not only the beginning of a lifetime association between Ruth and Walsh, but also the first public offering of The Christy Walsh Collection, an extraordinary archive from the definitive sports marketing pioneer. The remarkable, symbiotic relationship between Ruth and Walsh would continue for the rest of their lives, and Walsh's roster of talent would grow to include the greatest names in American sports. We offer a peek at its fascinating contents in lots 80001 through 80003, and advise you to stay tuned to future Heritage auctions to discover more of the treasures within.

1932 Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig Signed Large Photograph from The Christy Walsh Collection. Is the Babe whispering the real truth about his Called Shot? Is he merely pointing out a pretty young thing in the stands? Lou would never tell, but he appears quite amused by the comment, belying the contention that this historic duo spent the entirety of their Yankee partnership at odds with one another. It's an image we've never encountered before, but it immediately became one of our favorites, even dismissing the provenance and ultra-desirable inscriptions which establish it as one of the most desirable artifacts blessed by the hands of Numbers Three and Four.

The 9.5 x 11.5" photo, mounted on a cardboard backing, derives from the personal collection of Christy Walsh, who represented each pinstriped legend as professional sports' first agent. It's a safe assumption that this special partnership inspired each superstar slugger to go the extra mile when signing the image. Ruth's inscription makes reference to the occasion, noting "World Series 1932" below his 8/10 black fountain pen signature, a Fall Classic best recalled for the Babe's apocryphal Called Shot in Game Three at Chicago's Wrigley Field, quite possibly the day this photo was snapped. The Iron Horse takes a more playful turn with his notation, writing "In one ear and out the other" in lighthearted reference to Ruth's whispered secret. Again, the writing is rendered in 8/10 black fountain pen ink.

Only a dime-sized loss of photographic emulsion at Gehrig's right foot requires mention in a discussion of condition. Otherwise the photo survives splendidly, ready to inspire wonder and jealousy among all visitors to the winning bidder's trophy room. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

The Christy Walsh Collection, Part I.

Christy Walsh was nothing if not persistent. The syndicated cartoonist and newspaper columnist had enjoyed limited success hawking a series of ghostwritten articles for World War I ace turned star race car driver Captain Eddie Rickenbacker, but was convinced that a similar Babe Ruth partnership would prove to be a gold mine. He had watched the young recruit from the Boston Red Sox pack the Polo Grounds during the 1920 season, more than doubling the 620,000 tickets sold by the Yankees in 1919. Surely such popularity would translate to the newspaper business.

His initial attempts to meet with the Babe proved fruitless, however. "Get an appointment," Ruth would shout at Walsh as he attempted to accost him in the streets of Manhattan. Undeterred, Walsh took to camping out at the Ansonia Hotel where Ruth was living. Far more pestered than intrigued, the young Yankees star took to ducking out side doors to avoid the tenacious stalker, and hotel management forced Walsh onto the sidewalk, where he remained for days, waiting. Walsh had stopped in at a delicatessen next door to the Ansonia when his big break came. It was late February, just days before the Yankees would head south for their Hot Springs training grounds.

Overhearing a telephone call ordering a case of beer to Ruth's room, Walsh convinced the deli owner to allow him to deliver it. Five minutes later he was standing in the Babe's hotel room. Before the slugger could eject him, Walsh asked what the United News had paid him for his ghostwritten articles.

"Five dollars a piece," Ruth told him.

"I can get you five hundred," Walsh insisted.

The next day Christy Walsh returned to Ruth's hotel room with the document which leads off the special "Platinum Night" auction presented on the pages that follow. It marks not only the beginning of a lifetime association between Ruth and Walsh, but also the first public offering of The Christy Walsh Collection, an extraordinary archive from the definitive sports marketing pioneer. The remarkable, symbiotic relationship between Ruth and Walsh would continue for the rest of their lives, and Walsh's roster of talent would grow to include the greatest names in American sports. We offer a peek at its fascinating contents in lots 80001 through 80003, and advise you to stay tuned to future Heritage auctions to discover more of the treasures within.

19th Century Baseball Silk Ribbons Display of 62. Extraordinary "attic find" is one of the most thrilling early baseball discoveries in hobby history, a stunningly comprehensive collection recalling the earliest days of the organized game. Only a handful of these ribbons have ever surfaced in the collecting world prior to this archive's emergence, with most appearing here as the only known examples. For years the precise nature of these delicate team ribbons remained a mystery until the finding of an article from a June 1902 issue of the periodical Outing put the matter to rest.

"One or two of the customs of the old game were unique. Such for instance was the habit of the better class of clubs of exchanging, just before each match, silk badges imprinted with the club name. The players wore those accumulated trophies pinned upon the breast, sometimes with startling color effects; and the baseball man was proud, indeed, who could pin on the outside of his deep strata of badges a ribbon from the mighty Atlantics, Mutuals or Eckfords, attesting his worth for meeting giants, if not mastering them."

While the exact identity of the ribbons' original owner cannot be established definitively, one can safely surmise that he was a player for a particularly noteworthy early team, considering the breadth and quality of the competition he faced, which includes those three teams referenced in the 1902 article. Our suspicion is that the original owner may have been Charlie Sweasy, the second baseman for the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, baseball's first professional team. His name (though misspelled) appears on a ribbon at center of the display near the top, the only ribbon lacking team attribution. It is also noteworthy that the display was unearthed less than twenty miles from Newark, New Jersey, where Sweasy lived and died.

Sweasy's lengthy (by nineteenth century standards) baseball career would also explain the vast array of ribbons deriving from both the National Association of Base Ball Players and the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players. The former is recognized as the first governing body of the sport of baseball, and the latter as the first professional league of any sport. Sweasy was active in both organizations, debuting with the 1866 New Jersey Irvingtons and bouncing between over half a dozen clubs throughout the 1870's including the Washington Olympics, Cleveland Forest Citys and Brooklyn, each among the teams represented with ribbons. A comprehensive list is available on our website, but other highlights include Athletic of Philadelphia, Excelsior of Chicago, Niagara, Olympic of Washington DC, Union of Morrisania.

Only a full-length book could pay proper tribute to the history and importance of this remarkable find, which was compiled into a proud display well over a century ago, involving the affixing of all ribbons to a framed board measuring 22 x 31". Some apparent dampstaining at the edges only minimally affects a small selection of the ribbons, but quibbles about condition are silly considering the spectacular scarcity. From a purely historical perspective, this may well be the most important baseball lot to be offered in 2010.

1. Albert B. B. C. of Rochester (1865-)
2. Allegheny (1872-90)
3. Amateur Cincinnati
4. Active of Indianapolis
5. Athletic of Philadelphia (1860-76)*
6. Atlantic of Brooklyn (1855-75)*
7. Baltic (1855-64)
8. Baltimore (Blue on white) Canaries? (1872-74)
9. Baltimore (Blue on white)
10. Bloomington B. B. C. (Illinois)
11. Buckeye - Blue on White Ohio, (1883-84)
12. Buckeye - Black on Blue Ohio, (1883-84)
13. Cincinnati (1866-70)*
14. Columbian C. S. C.
15. Contest. Brooklyn (1866)
16. Cream City (1878)
17. Detroit
18. Eagle
19. Eagle B. B. C. (1854-70)
20. Eckford Brooklyn (1855-72)*
21. Empire B. B. C. of St. Louis (1861-73)
22. Empire. Saint Louis. (Red) (1861-73)
23. Erie City
24. Eurekas Newark (1860-69)
25. Excelsior of Chicago (1859-68)
26. Forest City of Cleveland. (1868-72)*
27. Hartford, Conn. (1863?-)
28. Harvard (1864-Pres.)
29. Irvington New Jersey (1850-73)*
30. Jefferson. Washington.
31. Keystone Philadelphia (1850-71?)*
32. Live Oaks Cincinnati
33. Lone Star New Orleans (1859-)
34. Louisville Colonels?-AA (1883-91)
35. Lowells Boston (1861-73)
36. Maryland. - Block lettering (?-1873)*
37. Maryland - Script w/Graphics (?-1873)*
38. Monitor of Waterbury Conn. (1865-?)
39. Mucuat of Baltimore
40. Mutuals New York (1858-76)*
41. Nation
42. Nationals (1861-75)*
43. National's of Albany
44. Neptune
45. Niagara (Buffalo) (1859-70?)
46. Olympic Ball Club
47. Olympic of Pittsburgh
48. Olympic of Washington DC (1861-72)*
49. Olympic of Paterson, N. J.
50. Pacific Long Island (1865-68?)
51. Pastime of Richmond
52. Quaker City
53. Railway Union B. B. C. of Cleveland (1860's)
54. Railway Unions. Cleveland
55. Reliable. Kentucky
56. Southern New Orleans
57. Sweasey
58. Union Morrisania, New York (1855-73)
59. Union of Lansingburgh (Troy) (1866-72)*
60. Xenia (Xenia, Ohio)
61. Yale (1865-Pres.)
62. Member's Badge for Troting Meeting. 1869.
63. Unidentifiable - "G" Logo

1870 Rockford Forest City's Team Cabinet Photograph with Albert Spalding. Astonishing early find is a dream come true for collectors concentrating on the game's seminal artifacts, as few predate this extraordinarily rare photographic study of one of the sport's first professional squads. Though the Rockford Forest City's operated in 1870 as an amateur team, it has been well established that salaries were paid for top talent even before the move to the National Association in 1871, when the club was able to lure the rookie Adrian "Cap" Anson to its roster for what would prove to be the farewell campaign for Rockford, which then folded in bankruptcy.

Here we find the Forest City's in their third of four years in existence, ten players appearing in individual oval portrait vignettes on photographic paper affixed to a cardboard mount. Immediately drawing the eye is the gentleman second from the top at the center of the display, pioneering Baseball Hall of Famer Albert Spalding, whose name remains a household word to this day through the powerful sporting goods company he founded six years after this piece was produced. Also present is fellow Rockford star Ross Barnes, the three-time batting champion and owner of the distinction as the National League's first home run hitter on May 2, 1876.

The images are contained within a larger oval shape with "1870 Forest City's" and the players' names infused within the photographic print. Handwritten identifiers beneath each image recall the fielding positions, and "Rockford ILL" is penned at the bottom of the 6.5 x 9" mount. Further handwriting appears on mount verso and some moisture staining is apparent on both sides, mercifully remaining clear of the photographic portraits. As such, it provides little distraction. Expected edge and corner wear to the mount remains clear of the photograph itself.

At fourteen decades old, the image supplies one of the earliest views extant of professional baseball's genesis, and survives as one of just a tiny handful of period photos of Spalding as a player, and likely the oldest. The embodiment of such popular hobby terms of "rare" and "important."

1889 Baltimore Orioles (Future New York Yankees) Application to Join National League. Make no mistake--this is not the Baltimore Orioles of the Robinsons and the Ripkens, which appropriated the name when the St. Louis Browns moved to town in 1954. The presented document was penned by William Barnie, the president and manager of the American Association club which would represent the National League from 1892 until its contraction from twelve to eight teams at the close of the 1899 campaign. Inactive during the 1900 season, the Baltimore Orioles club resurfaced in 1901 with third baseman John McGraw back in the skipper's chair after his 1899 debut in the position. Two years later the club would relocate to uptown Manhattan, changing its name to the New York Highlanders. Ultimately, after a decade at Hilltop Park, the club set up shop at the famous Polo Grounds, where it would take on another moniker which survives to this day: The New York Yankees.

With an economy of text disproportionate to its weighty significance, the document reads,

"New York, Nov. 15, 1889

The Baltimore Base Ball Club, an organization located in the City of Baltimore, Maryland, duly organized and officered, hereby respectfully asks admission to membership in the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs.

[signed] W. Barnie, President."

While its status as a seminal document in the history of American sports' most storied franchise elevates the document to the upper reaches of collectibility, it would be unfair to overlook the Baltimore Orioles of the 1890's, which was arguably the most influential club of that decade. Credit can be given to Hall of Fame manager Ned Hanlon, whose leadership inspired the likes of McGraw, Wilbert Robinson, Hughie Jennings, and Kid Gleason, each of whom would come to prominence in managerial roles following his playing days in Baltimore. The Orioles were also participants in all four Temple Cup series (1894-97), claiming victory in the first three.

Page of stationery from a New York City hotel measures 5 x 6.5" in size with a single mailing fold but no other flaws to note. All text is 9/10. Pencil writing on verso. Document derives from the estate of Nicholas E. Young, first secretary of the National League, and N.L. President from 1885-1902. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1902 Christy Mathewson Signed Uniform Player's Contract. They were drunks, gamblers, brawlers. They were illiterate farmhands. Many had criminal records. At a time when just six percent of the American population could boast of a high school diploma, Major League Baseball was still dismissed as a profession for drifters and derelicts. Ty Cobb put it best: "When I began playing the game, baseball was about as gentlemanly as a kick in the crotch."

Christy Mathewson made his first appearance in a New York Giants uniform during the last July of the 19th century, serving as a contradiction to every preconceived notion about the professional ballplayer. "He talks like a Harvard graduate, looks like an actor, acts like a businessman and impresses you as an all-around gentleman," observed author Homer Croy. Matty was, in fact, a college graduate, a wholesome, blue-eyed alumnus of Bucknell University, where he studied forestry and served as class president. He was, in short, everything that baseball required to begin the slow repair of its dubious reputation. Add that to the emergence of the Giants as a National League contender, due in large part to Mathewson's mastery, and the grandstands of New York City's Polo Grounds began to fill.

Presented is the official contract signed by the great Christy Mathewson, securing the twenty-one year old right-hander's services for the 1902 Giants season. Evidence of the typical concerns of league management is apparent in the terms of the document, which demand that the player "absolutely refrain from late hours and from any excess or dissipation in eating, drinking or otherwise," and warns of expulsion for "offering, agreeing, conspiring or attempting to lose any game of ball" for crooked gamblers.

Though the club suffered through a dismal campaign to close the 1902 standings dead last, this season would prove to be the darkness before the dawn as the Giants would improve to second place in 1903 and earn the first of five National League pennants they would enjoy during Matty's tenure in 1904. The four-page legal size document is the standard boilerplate contract utilized by the National League and American Association, indicating a salary of $3,000 for the approaching season. Mathewson's signature indicating his acceptance of terms rates a splendid 9+/10. The contract itself exhibits original storage folds with some separation, but the document remains solid and complete, with Matty's scarce autograph well clear of any paper flaws. A monumental piece from one of the Dead Ball Era's most decorated and elusive icons. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1903 New York Giants Photographic Composite by Carl Horner. Extraordinary work is instantly identifiable as that of esteemed early baseball photographer Carl Horner, whose portraiture of Dead Ball Era legends was widely sourced for contemporary tobacco trading card issues and serves to this day as the period's visual touchstone. Though lacking the on-field context afforded by improved photographic technology to come, Horner's posed studio works never fail to capture the zeitgeist of our burgeoning National Pastime in all of its gritty, blue collar glory. The seventeen images which comprise the presented composite celebrate the team which finished the 1903 season in second place behind Pittsburgh, allowing Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss to challenge the Boston Americans to the first edition of what would come to be known as the World Series.

Though the great Christy Mathewson is absent from the roster of seventeen, three Hall of Famers share space here, most notably a thirty-year old John McGraw, still making appearances as a utility infielder for the team he would manage for over three decades. At his right shoulder is the club's top ace for the 1903 season, "Iron Joe" McGinnity, whose thirty-one victories bested Matty by one. Above McGraw is the illustrious Roger Bresnahan, pictured during his first full season in a Giants uniform. Each player is identified below his image in artfully rendered black fountain pen ink script, with "New York Nationals 1903" penned in bold black lettering beneath the oversized portrait of Little Napoleon at center. One must assume that all writing is in the hand of Horner himself, as it bears an unmistakable resemblance to his "Photos by Carl J. Horner Boston" text in the lower right quadrant.

Over ninety percent of the surface area of the 23 x 25.5" composite remains untouched by the ills of a passing century, and those few flaws cause little distraction. Most notable is a fissure which passes through the cardboard stock and portrait of second baseman Billy Gilbert at upper right, secured on verso with a modern paper stock brace. Dampstaining at lower right darkens several square inches of the mount and has disrupted the emulsion of the lower edges of Miller's and Cronin's portraits. A chip of the upper left corner completes the condition assessment.

Horner's considerable fame in the collecting hobby stands in stark contrast to the availability of his works, with his single portraits typically surfacing only several times a year on the auction circuit. Composites such as this are substantially rarer still, and found in only the most elite and well curated of private collections. The significant costs required for the production of such a piece would have limited the original population considerably, and conventional wisdom would indicate only two or three VIP's might have received a Horner composite each year. Our records reveal that this is the first Giants example from any season to be offered at auction, and one can safely predict that it will likewise be the last.

1912 Christy Mathewson Signed Letter & Autographs with Extraordinary Provenance. A young woman's game of hooky to see her father's favorite ballplayer set into motion a turn of events which supplies the collecting world with this truly charming lot, bookended by letters mailed fifty years apart. A worn but complete clipped 1912 article from a Pueblo, Colorado newspaper recounts the story of young Edwina Vories, a Boston college student from the small Rocky Mountain town who suffered the wrath of the school's dean for her unexcused absence to see Christy Mathewson pitch against the Braves at Boston's South End Grounds.

Feeling somewhat guilty for having encouraged his daughter to break the rules, the elder Vories penned a note to the legendary Giants hurler, the text of which is reprinted in its entirety within the newspaper article. It closes, "I sent my daughter in Boston a telegram to attend the game to see you. I send the card showing her troubles with the dean on account thereof. I believe the young lady is a fan, good enough to deserve your autograph, but if you should send it my second daughter would, no doubt, appropriate it at once."

Just below is reprinted Matty's response, which reads, in full:

"Dear Sir,

I received a letter from you last month which can hardly be answered by saying thank you, so I am just going to autograph your daughter's card and enclose it, together with another one of my signatures for your other daughter.

Yours truly,
C. Mathewson."

Matching this newspaper text to the letter is Mathewson's handwritten note, penned in 9+/10 black ink on a 5 x 6.5" unlined page, folded at center. The note is dated "Dec. 23, 1912" and includes addressee and return address at top. The word "(over)" appears at the close, though there is nothing on verso except for a vintage piece of tape strengthening the fragile center fold. Also present within the marvelous little archive is the card (approximately 3 x 5") to which the Big Six refers, signed "Christy Mathewson" twice, and dated "12/23/12" at bottom. These signatures are likewise 9+/10 in strength.

Closing out this remarkable offering is a 1962 handwritten note from the elderly Edwina, which begins, "Dear Mr. Johnson: At long last I have found the Christy Mathewson letter with the autographs which I am sending herewith along with the newspaper article at the time, which tells how we happened to have the letter." This letter remains in perfect condition, with original mailing folds. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1927 New York Yankees Team Photograph from Yankee Stadium Clubhouse. The greatest team ever. The greatest stadium ever. Each is now, sadly, only a memory, but this important piece survives to bear witness to the days when Ruth was manning the House he Built. For decades the presented photograph served as an inspiration to the likes of DiMaggio, Mantle, and Munson in the Yankee clubhouse, the club's second World Championship team providing guidance for the dozens to follow. The 16 x 20" image enjoys marvelous clarity and contrast, providing the viewer with Ruth and Gehrig in their prime, the diminutive Hall of Fame manager Miller Huggins, Hall of Fame hurlers Hoyt and Pennock, and the rest of the legendary Murderer's Row.

A few bumps and bruises are only to be expected given its long history, and some small gouges to the image are will be readily apparent in our catalog photography. Note the brown scuffing on the Babe's belly--that's from thousands of Yankee fingers rubbing him like a Buddha for good luck on their way to the playing field! The edges of the masonite board upon which the photo is mounted bears the unmistakable Yankee blue paint of the stadium walls. Having resided for decades at baseball's most hallowed ground, the offered lot could be considered practically priceless to the devout Yankees fan.

1927 "The Babe Comes Home" Rare Movie Poster Lot of 3. Exceptionally rare trio of movie posters dates to the most glorious season of Babe Ruth and New York Yankees history, one in which the iconic slugger blasted a record sixty home runs while leading The Greatest Team Ever to the franchise's second World Championship. While this would be more than enough to turn the head of the serious baseball collector, movie poster aficionados will be even more impressed by the anemic population of each of the presented examples. Our experts from the Heritage Movie Poster division estimate that fewer than five examples of the insert (14x36") and the Ruth-with-woman half-sheet (22x28") have survived to the present day. And the other half-sheet, picturing the Babe with his bat and cap, represents half of the known population, with the other residing at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

Though the film itself, which casts the Yankees legend as a slugger who loses his talent when his fiancee enforces a ban on chewing tobacco, was no cinematic masterpiece, the desirability of quality artifacts from the film was emphasized by the $138,000 result for a one sheet poster in a 2003 Heritage Signature Auction.

Each poster is professionally restored, and mounted onto acid-free paper backing for archival purposes. Close inspection will reveal the occasional fold line and hand-touched recoloring in places, but it's clear the posters were quite well preserved prior to their enhancement. The work is so subtle as to be imperceptible from any reasonable viewing range, with each sure to please even the most discriminating of poster experts. Even if you aren't a bidder, come by the Heritage booth at the National to have a look at these posters, because it's almost certain to be your last opportunity to see the genuine article in person.

1934 Babe Ruth Signed Tour of Japan Photographs Lot of 7. His New York Yankees years behind him, and only the sad sideshow of a farewell season with the last place Boston Braves ahead, the great Bambino provided his final (and arguably his greatest) gift to the sport of baseball with his participation in the historic 1934 Tour of Japan. No other single endeavor has done so much to expand the reach of our National Pastime, and the journey continues to pay dividends three quarters of a century later as superstar talent like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui make their marks in the Major Leagues. Artifacts deriving from this voyage across the Pacific hold special appeal to the educated collector, and rightfully so.

Always the most generous of signers, the Babe surely autographed thousands of 3.25 x 5" portraits for the teeming grandstands of Japanese baseball fans eager to see the most famous man in the world. These seven examples made it back to the States somehow, and are presented here for the dealer and investor alike. Each boasts a bold fountain pen ink signature in the white bottom margin, none falling below a very conservative 8.5/10 strength. The photos themselves exhibit no flaws of note. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

Inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame Class Signed Blank Cards Lot of 9. It's autograph collecting in its purest form, free of distractions. Everybody loves the single signed baseball, but almost never will you find horsehide with these names so tastefully rendered and exquisitely bold. Nine of the Original Eleven from the inaugural 1939 induction ceremonies at Cooperstown are compiled here for your consideration, each centered upon his own paper medium constructed in the size, shape and stock of a high-quality business card. All fountain pen ink survives at an impressive strength of 9/10 or better, and while several exhibit toning from decades tucked amongst newspaper clippings in an ancient scrapbook, each presents marvelously.

The honored figures: Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Walter Johnson, J. Honus Wagner, Connie Mack, GC Alexander, Tris Speaker and a splendid Napoleon Lajoie. Each stands as the elite exemplar of its creator, and as a tribute to the pioneering original collector who has proven that good taste never goes out of style. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1941 Joe DiMaggio Signed Uniform Player's Contract. On May 15, 1941, it begins. The Yankees are massacred at The Stadium by a tally of thirteen to one, the only run for the home team delivered by a DiMaggio single against White Sox pitcher Eddie Smith. Joltin' Joe would hit safely the next day. And the next. And the next. Weeks pass and the streak continues. On June 8th, DiMaggio clubs three homers in a doubleheader in St. Louis. A lucky bounce and a friendly scorekeeper on June 17th extends the streak to thirty. Browns pitcher Bob Muncrief refuses manager Luke Sewell's call to walk DiMaggio in his last at bat in the thirty-sixth game, with predictable results. "That wouldn't have been fair to him or to me," Muncrief explains. "Hell, he's the greatest player I ever saw."

Leading with one man on and one out in the bottom of the eighth of game thirty-eight, Tommy Henrich bunts to assure no double play, and one last chance for DiMaggio. He doubles, and the crowd roars. A thief absconds with DiMaggio's favorite bat between games forty-one and forty-two of a doubleheader, rattling the star centerfielder. Tommy Henrich offers his bat for DiMaggio's last plate appearance. His slap hit to left field eclipses George Sisler's American League record. Two games later he ties Wee Willie Keeler's Major League record, and surpasses it the next day in dramatic fashion with his eighteenth homer of the year.

A small ransom is paid to the Newark, New Jersey bat thief and DiMaggio connects on the first swing with his old friend for a home run on July 5th, game forty-six. Every day throughout the city of New York, and across the nation, the question is asked, "Did he get one?" The answer remains "Yes" until July 17th at Cleveland's League Park, when a pair of acrobatic plays by Indians third baseman Ken Keltner puts an end to a fifty-six game consecutive streak unequalled to this day.

For millions of Americans, the mention of the year 1941 brings to mind just two events-the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Joe DiMaggio streak. Presented is arguably the most noteworthy artifact of the latter, the four-page Uniform Player's Contract which secured the services of the Yankee Clipper for this unforgettable American League MVP season. In fact, there are two contracts within this lot, first an unsigned version stipulating a salary of $30,000, and a second revised to $37,500 signed twice by Hall of Fame team president Ed Barrow and once by the great DiMaggio. All ink survives with unimprovable boldness, and each contract exhibits original storage folds and filing punches at top edges but no problems to note. A piece unequivocal in its excellence, worthy of a position of honor in even the finest of private collections. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1945 Brooklyn Brown Dodgers Signed Payroll Checks (55) with Oscar Charleston. Though the lifespan of the Brooklyn Brown Dodgers franchise (and the chaotic United States Negro Baseball League to which it belonged) was a brief two seasons (1945-46), the historical importance of the team resonates to this day as it represented Branch Rickey's cautious first steps toward integrating Major League Baseball. It was the Hall of Fame executive who persuaded Joe Hall to relocate his Hilldale franchise to Brooklyn, and to install Negro League legend Oscar Charleston as manager, so that he could join Dodger scouts in assessing African-American talent in his own backyard. Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, and Don Newcombe were among the players evaluated during this period.

From a financial standpoint, the club was little better than a disaster, typically drawing just 2,000 fans for doubleheaders at their Ebbets Field home park, with Rickey himself commonly among them. But the research proved invaluable, establishing the Brown Dodgers as one of the unsung heroes of baseball history. The fifty-five payroll checks featured here date to May and June of that first season in Flatbush, with each signed by team owner Joe Hall and endorsed on verso by the payee. Most notable among these Brown Dodgers is Hall of Famer Oscar Charleston, who endorses his check twice in bold black fountain pen ink. It's one of just three known Charleston checks, the most recent to surface having sold in the Heritage April 2010 Signature Auction for $35,850. The check remains in fine, undamaged condition with no creasing, staining or tearing. The balance of checks exhibit an occasional center fold line but are otherwise free of noteworthy flaws. A full accounting of the payees/signers will be available on our website at www.HA.com/Sports. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1897 Adrian "Cap" Anson Final Game Used Bat, PSA GU 10. Ironclad provenance and extraordinary historical relevance join forces here to provide this auction with perhaps its most impressive and important offering, the bat used by baseball's first great star to conclude his Hall of Fame career. For over a century the bat resided in the Anson family, attained in 2006 from Cap's great-grandson who described the enormous slab of lumber as "Cap Anson's prized last game bat from 1897, his final season in Major League Baseball." While this statement assures that the offered bat struck Cap's 3,435th and final career hit, a record which would stand until Honus Wagner's assumption of the crown in 1914, it is also entirely possible that this bat secured the pioneering slugger's role as founder of the 3,000 Hit Club.

With over forty-seven ounces of weight packed into its thirty-six inches, this J.F. Hillerich & Son behemoth was built to last. While a nail and three ancient screws appear on the barrel, not the hint of a crack appears on the handle, nor could any dead ball possibly have inflicted such a wound. Make no mistake, these vintage repairs were undertaken to extend the useful life of the bat, not for post-career display, paying silent testament to extensive use almost assuredly spread over several seasons. This is not one of Anson's late career bats- it is his only late career bat. A cautiously applied intricate texture of 145 carved notches at the handle was rendered by Anson himself to improve grip, and numerous ball and cleat marks are present on the barrel. The first version of the Hillerich center brand properly indicates production between 1894 and 1897, and appears upside down here, only adding further intrigue to one of the great treasures of the bat collecting hobby.

Almost never do verified game used bats of any 19th century player appear upon the auction circuit, and none from that microscopic supply could challenge the presented specimen in its significance. Aged with the gorgeous polished patina of antique furniture, it likewise provides the visuals of a true royal scepter. For the cultured collector/historian, this offering presents an opportunity impossible to ignore. Included is a notarized letter of provenance from Anson's great-grandson. LOA from PSA/DNA, graded GU 10.

1912-13 "Wahoo" Sam Crawford Game Used & Signed Bat with Exceptional Provenance. Immortalized in baseball lore as "Wahoo Sam," a proud nod to the Nebraska town he called home, the popular Hall of Fame outfielder for the Detroit Tigers labored most of his career in the shadow in the shadow of Dead Ball Era legend Ty Cobb, with whom he shared a contentious yet effective playing relationship. The feud only grew during post-retirement life, with Cobb accusing a jealous Crawford of intentionally fouling off pitches when he was attempting to steal, and Crawford responding that Cobb had been a cheapskate and a poor fielder. It was only after Cobb's death that Crawford learned that his old teammate had written hundreds of letters to influential people lobbying for his Cooperstown induction.

It's rather surprising that such a campaign was ever necessary when one considers the numbers compiled by Wahoo Sam during his nineteen seasons of service to professional ball. A career .309 hitter, Crawford retired just thirty-nine short of 3,000 Hit Club membership and remains to this day the all-time career triples leader. Four times he led the American League in extra base hits, including a career-best sixty-four the 1913 season this remarkable gamer saw action.

The presented Spalding Autograph model is crafted from forty ounces of premium flame-burned ash, measuring just short of thirty-five inches in length. Heavy use is instantly apparent, with a constellation of ball marks coating the barrel, some complete with green ink transfers. Cleat marks speckle the surface, and ancient tape secures a cracked handle.

This important artifact derives from what could properly be described as the first game used bat collection, belonging to the owner of the Vernon Tigers of the Pacific Coast League. Though a 1916 newspaper describing the collection has been misplaced, this very bat is pictured in that article, identifiable by the black tape at the handle. Even more forcefully asserting its heritage, the bat features a remarkably strong (9/10) black fountain pen inscription to the collector, which reads "To Eddie Maier From Sam Crawford, Detroit Club, Nov-16-13." To the best of our knowledge, this is the only signed Crawford bat in existence, and likewise the most flawlessly provenanced. Unquestionably deserving of its PSA GU10 rating, it is an absolute dream piece for the advanced bat collector. LOA from PSA/DNA (bat). Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1965 Mickey Mantle Game Used Bat from a New York Yankees Bat Boy. Exceptional provenance and the most use you'll ever encounter on a Mantle bat elevate the presented representation to the pinnacle of collecting appeal, its MEARS A8.5 score hampered only by the handle crack and dead wood resulting from the punishment inflicted by the greatest switch-hitting slugger of them all. Earning top scores for fidelity to factory records, game use and verifiable history, the Hillerich & Bradsby signature model M110 made its transition from Mantle's arsenal to cherished collectible during a late July 1965 series in the Bronx against the visiting Detroit Tigers.

The bat was the fulfillment of a promise made by Mantle to the bat boy, who had told the Yankee legend that his younger brother was the Mick's greatest fan. Mantle assured the boy that the next bat he cracked belonged to him. A photocopy of the bat boy's notarized letter is included. MEARS' detective work over four decades later proves the veracity of the tale, finding factory shipping records of nine ash bats measuring thirty-six inches in length and thirty-two ounces in weight shipped to Mantle on June 21, 1965. These bats, which match the presented specimen, were Mantle's only M110's ordered during the applicable Hillerich & Bradsby labeling period, leaving no question but that this is one of those nine bats from the June order.

The bat remains solid and complete but has suffered a large and severe handle crack which could be restored by the bat's new owner if desired. Ball marks coat the barrel, and the experts at MEARS stress that all use appears to be Major League inflicted, with no subsequent playground shenanigans. A distinct area of deadwood indicates the sweet spot which almost certainly launched two or three pitches into the cheap seats. Four distinct cleat marks can be found toward the barrel end. It's definitely the most "pounded" Mantle bat we've ever seen, sure to turn the head of the sophisticated bat collector who knows that the best bats are never showroom fresh. LOA from MEARS.

1930's Lou Gehrig Game Worn New York Yankees Pants. Though we prefer to remember the brave and noble Henry Louis Gehrig by his more dignified "Iron Horse" nickname, the contents of this lot can't help but remind us of his other, playful moniker, "Biscuit Pants." As the story goes, it was not only Gehrig's heart which was the biggest in the game but also his backside, which was housed for a season or perhaps more in the presented road grey flannel garment.

Any collector worth his salt will need no lesson in the scarcity of Gehrig game worn uniform pieces, with known examples easily counted on one's fingers with digits to spare. To the best of our understanding, this offering represents the only known Gehrig pants, making Babe Ruth's seem downright common by comparison with three pairs selling at auction the past five years in a range between $94,000 and $137,000.

This Gehrig specimen exhibits very strong wear from the Hall of Fame first baseman, with several sizeable team repairs on the back to repair damage likely inflicted by sliding. A small unrepaired tear by the left rear pocket is of little concern, as is another at the right knee. All four original buttons remain at the fly. Most importantly we find the original "L. Gehrig" embroidered in red thread directly into the rear interior waistband of the pants, placed beside the proper "Spalding" period manufacturer's label.

The opportunity to participate in the curatorship of an important Lou Gehrig artifact is not one to be taken lightly, and few could outshine a uniform piece from his fabled Yankees service. With any quality jersey realizing prices in excess of a quarter million dollars in the rare instances they are made available for sale, the presented pants should be all the more attractive to the savvy investor. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1934 Lou Gehrig Tour of Japan Kimono from The Imperial Hotel. Over three quarters of a century later, the 1934 Tour of Japan continues to fascinate collectors and baseball historians, and with good reason. The cast of characters reads like a who's who of baseball royalty, with Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Cochrane, and Connie Mack just a few of the names on the trans-Pacific manifest. And who could forget Morris "Moe" Berg, a catcher of dubious talent but enormous intellect and linguistic aptitude, whose participation on such an All-Star team was a mystery to all but the Office of Strategic Services which had sent him to Japan as an undercover spy?

We believe this to be the third kimono from Tokyo's Imperial Hotel to surface in the collecting market, the others having belonged to fellow Tourists Bing Miller and Eric McNair. Clearly the offered representation, having been the personal possession of the great Lou Gehrig, survives as the most important of the three. Our research indicates that the Imperial Hotel was the site of a Gala Dinner Dance on November 3, 1934, to honor the visiting team, and one must assume that the robes were presented at this occasion. Crafted from red, black, and white silk, the high-quality Japanese robe presents wonderfully despite a degree of expected soiling inflicted over the decades of storage.

An included 1982 letter of provenance explains that the kimono had been left behind at an apartment building vacated by Gehrig's brother-in-law, and recovered by a friend of that family who resided at the same address. The letter notes that the new owner had attempted to return the kimono to Gehrig's widow, unsuccessfully.

1936 Leon "Goose" Goslin Game Worn Detroit Tigers Jersey. Just nineteen years old when he was spotted by Hall of Fame umpire and fellow New Jersey resident Bill McGowan while playing for a DuPont factory team, Goslin quickly moved up the ladder from Class-C ball to become the leading offensive weapon of the great Washington Senators teams of the 1920's. His 129 runs batted in during the World Championship season of 1924 was fifty better than Joe Judge's second-place tally, and an instrumental factor in the run support supplying Walter Johnson with his American League-topping twenty-three victories that year. By the close of Goslin's illustrious service to our American Pastime, he had charted eleven 100+ RBI seasons, a distinction outshone by only seven players in Major League history.

Presented is a spectacular home white flannel jersey worn as a defending World Champion member of the 1936 Detroit Tigers, the eleventh and final triple-digit campaign for this prolific run producer. Considered the last great season in the career of the man ranked number eighty-nine on The Sporting News' 1998 list of Baseball's 100 Greatest Players, 1936 was likewise the only All-Star Game appearance for the Hall of Fame left fielder. This elegant gamer from that important campaign remains in marvelous, 100% original condition, unchanged from its days on the diamond and outfield grass of Navin Field. The Old English letter "D" remains affixed over the heart in deep navy blue felt, matching the number "4" applied to verso. Blue piping runs the perimeter of the collar and button path, where five of the six original buttons remain. The remnants of the proper "Spalding" manufacturer's label remains affixed at interior collar, beside a red embroidered "Goslin 4" applied directly to the jersey body. A matching "36" year designator appears at lower right rear exterior tail. Some patches of staining at right torso and left sleeve must be noted, but our catalog imagery should properly indicate that the distraction of these issues is minimal. The underarm of each sleeve has been expertly repaired. The jersey presents marvelously.

The famed Barry Halper Auction in 1999 marked this jersey's initial introduction to the auction block, and it makes its second appearance here. It must be stressed that no other Goslin Major League jersey has every surfaced at auction, so this opportunity could very reasonably be considered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Serious collectors are advised to bid accordingly. MEARS A8. LOA from MEARS. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1966 Bill Mazeroski Game Worn Jersey. Though the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman will always be remembered best for his Game Seven walk-off home run to snatch the 1960 World Series from the dominant New York Yankees, the path to Maz' Hall of Fame induction was paved with leather, not lumber. The eight-time Gold Glover is still considered one of the greatest middle infielders of all time, blessed with enormous range and a sharpshooter's rifle of an arm. The 1966 season during which he suited up in this road grey flannel vest was one of many during which he led the National League in fielding percentage, assists, and put-outs at second.

The jersey exhibits strong use from Mazeroski's days on the road with Clemente and Stargell, indicative of a full 162-game season without a day off, a feat he would repeat in 1967. "Pirates 9" is presented in black and yellow felt on the jersey obverse, with his retired digit repeated on verso in larger format. Some of the stitching here has been reinforced. The proper "MacGregor size 44" label has come loose at left edge at interior collar, but remains firmly affixed on the right. At the base of the interior button path another "MacGregor" tag indicates "Set 2 1966," just above a washing instructions label. The jersey remains in 100% original and unaltered condition. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1967 Mickey Mantle 500th Home Run Game Worn Pants. First surfacing on the hobby's auction block in the famous 1999 Barry Halper event, these late career pinstriped pants would become a research project for its new owner, who set off for the library with the pants in tow, hoping to locate an image of the Mick wearing the pants in Bronx action. As any collector active in Yankees uniform collecting is well aware, the nature of the pinstriped material utilized for home games allows for definitive photo matching, the tailoring of jerseys and pants creating intersections of lines as singularly unique as a snowflake or fingerprint.

The findings were cause for celebration, coinciding with a rare bright spot in a period of Yankees history otherwise best left forgotten, the game-winning seventh inning solo shot on May 14th which would establish Mantle as the sixth member of the exclusive 500 Home Run Club. The pants exhibit very heavy wear from this game and beyond, with hand-markered names in the waistband suggesting that some of this wear occurred on the minor league level after Mantle's ownership. The original embroidered swatch remains, however, announcing "Mantle 7 67 36 24 ins." The "Spalding" manufacturer's label and washing instructions tag are nearby. And a 10/10 blue sharpie autograph from Mantle at the interior of the buttoned fly path completes the package.

With any Mantle jersey infused with such historical import certain to garner a strong six-figure price tag, the offered pants makes for a highly attractive alternative. LOA from Heritage Auctions (pants). Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1969 Rod Carew Game Worn Minnesota Twins Jersey. "I taught him how to steal home," once noted Billy Martin, who served as the Twins' skipper during the 1969 season that the presented jersey saw action. "That's all I ever taught him. As for hitting, he knew how to do that all by himself." Arguably one of the most underrated players occupying a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Carew played Ty Cobb's game long after the attentions of the baseball world had turned to the Babe Ruth model, trading power for placement and brawn for blazing speed. Seven times Carew claimed the American League batting title, the first being the season he wore this road grey flannel, the third year of his service to Minnesota.

The jersey exhibits marvelous wear from that breakthrough season for the Panamanian superstar, particularly evident in the puckering of the tackle twill identifiers and the softness of the tagging at lower left front tail. "Twins" is scripted across the chest in navy and red, with Carew's retired number "29" applied to verso. The all-important Baseball Centennial patch worn by all 1969 ballclubs remains affixed at left sleeve, balanced by a team logo patch on right. Above the "Spalding" size "40" tagging, the text "Carew 29, 40, 69" is embroidered directly into the jersey body in navy thread, while below a Dry Cleaning label sprouts a "Set 1 1969" flap tag. The picture-perfect representation is completed by a 10/10 black sharpie inscription from Carew at upper left shoulder, reading "Best Wishes, Rod Carew, My 1st Batting Title 1969, .332."

Game worn flannels from members of the illustrious 3,000 Hit Club seldom surface on the auction circuit, and any opportunity to improve one's personal portfolio with a flawless example such as this must be taken seriously. And for the old-school baseball purist, who finds more delight in a double stretched to a triple than a long ball and a slow jog, there is no more fitting relic than a game worn jersey from Rod Carew's first great season in the Majors. Jersey is graded MEARS A8, with one point lost for two missing buttons, and another for the absence of the embroidered "Carew" swatch at interior collar. LOA from MEARS. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1969 Brooks Robinson Game Worn Baltimore Orioles Jersey. It was one of the most memorable American summers of the twentieth century, punctuated by the Apollo XI moon landing, the Manson killings, a tragic automobile accident at a Chappaquiddick bridge, and the music festival at Woodstock, New York. But baseball fans old enough to remember that tumultuous time will likewise recall the Baltimore Orioles' dominance of the American League, posting 112 victories (including its three-game ALCS sweep of the Twins) to advance to the franchise's second World Series appearance.

Presented is a road grey flannel from that team's most popular player, and to this day challenged only by the great Cal Ripken, Jr. as Baltimore's favorite ballplaying son. "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" would claim his tenth of sixteen consecutive Gold Gloves for his mastery of the hot corner in 1969, driving in eighty-four of the 779 runs scored by the Birds during the regular season. Phenomenal wear is evident throughout, notably in the pilling of the orange and black felt which spells "Baltimore 5" across the chest (original identifiers on front reattached) and "B. Robinson 5" on verso, the first name initial necessary to differentiate Brooks from his Hall of Fame compatriot Frank. The important Baseball Centennial patch remains affixed at the left sleeve, custom shortened as per Robinson's personal preference. A grey felt swatch applied at interior collar denotes an embroidered "42 Set 2 69 6," while "Spalding 42" tagging appears at lower left front tail. A chipped second button is the only stone which can be tossed at this picture perfect specimen. A 10/10 black sharpie signature from the jersey's former owner is tastefully placed at lower right front tail. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1976 Hank Aaron Game Worn Milwaukee Brewers Jersey. The greatest sluggers always seem to come back home in the end. Babe Ruth clubbed his last long balls in Boston. Willie Mays returned to the Big Apple sixteen seasons after the Giants headed west. And twenty-three years after Hammerin' Hank's debut with the Milwaukee Braves, the Home Run King hung up his thunderous bat in his old Wisconsin home. Here we present what may be the very last jersey worn by Aaron during his Hall of Fame playing career, closing out an inauspicious ninety-five loss season for the Brewers in front of fewer than 7,000 loyal fans. Two weeks earlier the slugging superstar had connected with his 755th and final career home run, once again in front of a small hometown crowd (3,455 attendance!), leaving open the possibility that this jersey was utilized during that game as well.

The home white knit features a blue and yellow tackle twill "Brewers" in a bold block lettered arch across the upper chest, with the since-retired number "44" positioned below. The unforgettable digits are repeated in larger font on verso. A "Wilson [size] 44" label in the collar continues the theme, with a "76" embroidered swatch just below announcing that important final season for one of the game's greatest long ball artists. Wear is solid throughout, suggesting that a considerable percentage of Aaron's forty-plus home games were contested in this shirt. Unquestionably an important jersey, with the potential of being one of the most significant to have reached the auction block in recent memory. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1977 Brooks Robinson Game Worn Uniform & Game Used Bat. Twenty-three years in an Orioles uniform would come to an end this season, leaving fans in Baltimore to ponder what life could possibly be like without their perpetual Gold Glove third baseman in the dugout. They had only known the franchise's first, 1954, without Brooks at the hot corner, and there was no question but that he would be the last number "5" to appear in an Orioles line-up, that digit retired on Opening Day 1978.

Presented is one of the final uniforms worn in front of Robinson's adoring fans at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. In fact, it is potentially the very last, as the August 13th game which would prove to be Brooks' goodbye was at home. The knit button-down jersey announces "Orioles 5" in orange and black tackle twill on the chest, with "Robinson 5" similarly affixed to verso. Lower right front interior tail reveals a "Rawlings [size] 42" label and "Set 1 1977" flap tag. Matching pants are tagged "Rawlings [size] 34," with an embroidered swatch announcing "35/36 25 8 1 77" to the right. The cap which completes the uniform ensemble supplies "New Era" and size "7 1/8" tags in the leather headband, and a vintage markered number "5" under the visor. All show solid wear. A 10/10 blue sharpie signature, with "HOF 83" notation, adorns the jersey chest.

A game used Adirondack 307B adds heft to the lot, with heavy use properly indicating that Robinson's value was delivered with both the leather and the lumber. The barrel exhibits heavy ball marking and some spike gouges, and a handle crack is professionally repaired. Green bat rack streaks are apparent nearby. The 34.5" long gamer is notated "33" (for weight in ounces) and "BR" in pencil on the knob, and the barrel is autographed in 8/10 blue sharpie. LOA from Zane Burns. LOA from Heritage Auctions. LOA from PSA/DNA (autographs). LOA from James Spence Authentication (autographs).

1978 Thurman Munson Game Worn New York Yankees Jersey. The most beloved New York Yankee of the 1970's, Captain Munson earned a reputation as one of the greatest big game players in a team history teeming with legends. White Sox coach Charlie Lau, whose The Art of Hitting is considered the "Bible of Batting," once noted "Of all the Yankee Hitters, Thurman Munson was the one that scared me the most when he came up. He had that swing and that heart. He was just totally clutch." The tragic passing of Munson in an August 1979 airplane crash coincided with the start of a seventeen-year World Championship drought. This is likely no coincidence.

The presented road grey gamer dates to the star catcher's final full tour of duty as a Bronx Bomber, and to the glorious second consecutive World Championship season of the late 1970's. Strong use appears indicative of a full season's wear, particularly apparent in the shoulder area where the straps of Munson's chest protector caused friction burns to the polyester knit. "New York" is boldly applied to the chest in navy and white block tackle twill (believed to be a team replacement), with Munson's retired number "15" proudly positioned on verso. An embroidered grey swatch affixed at interior collar notes "Munson 78 1," and a proper "Wilson [size] 44" label in the tail is softened by sweaty use.

Given the depth of wear evident, one could quite reasonably assume that the shirt saw at least a game or two of action in the unforgettable late season "Boston Massacre" in which the Yankees swept a four-game series at Fenway to pull even with the Red Sox in the AL East, setting the stage for an eventual single-game playoff and Bucky Dent's home run heroics. Munson went eight for sixteen in the Massacre. It's also entirely possible that this is the shirt Munson was wearing as he caught a foul pop by Ron Cey to record the final out of the World Series at Dodger Stadium, bringing a joyous close to the last postseason game of his career. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1984 Pete Rose 4,000th Hit Game Worn Montreal Expos Uniform. Twenty-one years to the day after the 1963 National League Rookie of the Year tripled to record his first Major League hit, the forty-three year old Charlie Hustle doubled at Montreal's Stade Olympique to make the 4,000 Hit Club a duo, joining the illustrious Ty Cobb in this most elite of batting brotherhoods. Presented within this lot, with ironclad first-person provenance, is the jersey, pants, and cap the former Big Red Machine star sported as he drew even with this remarkable milestone.

Rose came to Montreal only ten hits shy of number four thousand, eager to reach that mark and the even more hallowed figure 191 knocks beyond. Despite a well-deserved reputation as the hardest working player in the game, Rose's prospects had dwindled considerably following his dismissal from the Philadelphia Phillies the previous season, and his signing by the Expos was widely (and perhaps properly) seen by fans and media as little more than a publicity stunt to increase the anemic ticket sales to a French-Canadian audience far more enamored with the rink than the diamond. In the end, Rose's service to the Quebecois would last only ninety-five games, making his Expos gamers far and away the toughest find for Rose uniform collectors.

Unquestionably this is the best of that bunch, worn on April 13, 1984 when the future Hit King made it an even 4,000, facts noted in 10/10 black sharpie on lower right chest along with Rose's autograph. Number "14" and the "Expos" name and logo are applied in bold tackle twill to the chest, with "Rose 14" similarly affixed on verso. Lower front left interior tail provides the proper "Rawlings [size] 44" label with a "Set 1 1984" flap tag to the right and a "Rose 84" embroidered swatch just above. Matching pants are identically signed and notated by Rose, with "Rawlings [size] 34" label at interior waistband, joined by embroidered swatches stating "Rose 14" and "34/36 - 28 1/2 - 84." A "Set 1 1984" flap tag completes the proceedings. Each piece exhibits light but definite use, exactly proper for a uniform taken out of rotation after a single game's use in Montreal's home opener. The final uniform piece, a "New Era [size] 7 1/4" Expos cap, exhibits wear indicative of use during the preceding three road series which began the season as well as the historic first game in Montreal. "Pete Rose 14" is signed underneath the visor.

A 3 x 5" index card addressed to Barry Halper, from whose famed collection the uniform is sourced, serves as Rose's personal letter of provenance, and reads, "Barry, The Montreal jersey, pants & spikes are the outfit worn by me when I made my 4,000th hit. They are also autographed and dated by me. Your Pal, Pete Rose."

A quarter century filled with scandals, lies, and subsequent gritted-teeth admissions since the All-Time Hit King's banishment from baseball has significantly tarnished a reputation which had long been among the most celebrated in the sport. But the true baseball historian, and the savvy hobby investor, will view these indiscretions in their proper context. All shenanigans aside, Pete Rose stands alone as the game's most prolific hitter, holder of what is arguably the most important record in the sport. That's an honest, incredible achievement, completely unsullied by any misdeeds. And one cannot deny that significant precedent has been set by folks like Shoeless Joe Jackson and even by Ty Cobb, whose record Rose annexed, that misbehavior by our heroes will ultimately serve to add further intrigue to the tale, and further value to its related artifacts. It is unlikely that Pete Rose will ever be dethroned as Hit King, but if he is, you can still bet the farm that he won't ever be forgotten. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1997 Derek Jeter Game Worn New York Yankees Jersey. When Derek Jeter stops wearing a number two pinstriped jersey they'll stop making them. The eventual retirement of Jeter's jersey is as certain as death and Yankee World Championships. Not since Mickey Mantle has a player been so instrumental, so adored, and so perfect for the shark tank of New York City sports that not even the most mean-spirited writer for the Post or News could find a bad word to say. "This kid, right now, the tougher the situation, the more fire he gets in his eyes," manager Joe Torre explained early in Jeter's Bronx tenure. "You don't teach that." His clutch fielding exploits are so memorable as to be defined with simple terms known to any fan. The Flip. The Dive. His clutch Fall Classic hitting crowned him Mr. November.

Here we find a picture-perfect representation of an early career home gamer, sported at the shortstop position in the Old Stadium the season after Jeter earned the illustrious American League Rookie of the Year Award. The time-tested, no-frills Yankees design of navy blue "NY" logo over the heart and numeral on the back is interrupted only by the application of a Jackie Robinson Golden Anniversary patch on the right sleeve, remembering the brave racial pioneer. "Russell Athletic Diamond Collection [size] 46" labeling appears at lower left front tail, with flap tags indicating "100% Polyester" and "2" Extra Body Length," and a "Jeter-97" strip tag to the right.

Wear is quite strong, certainly far superior to that which one typically encounters with Jeter jerseys. It could be hypothesized that the young shortstop wore far fewer jerseys per season in those early years before his superstar status was firmly established. A 10/10 blue sharpie signature on the front utilizes the rare and desirable "Derek Sanderson Jeter" full name format, and a "Steiner" authenticating sticker resides nearby (corresponding COA is included). A second 10/10 signature on rear numeral is applied in silver sharpie, and reads "Derek Jeter ROY 96." LOA from Heritage Auctions. LOA from Steiner Sports (autograph). Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1888-89 Old Judge N173 Ewing & Mascot SGC 80 EX/NM 6. Often argued to be the finest player of the 19th century, William "Buck" Ewing joined Cap Anson as the top vote-getters from that century to gain admittance to the Baseball Hall of Fame for its 1939 grand opening. We find him here at dead center of his illustrious career, and at the height of his considerable ballplaying powers, posing with the mascot of the New York Giants squad he would help lead to the National League Championship each of the potential years of this gorgeous cabinet's issue.

If you've never seen this impressive trading card before, that's hardly a surprise. Just five have ever been slabbed by SGC or PSA, and this representation far outpaces all rivals, with none of the others exceeding a rating of VG 3. Minimal corner wear accounts for the entirety of points lost by this remarkable example, which suffers none of the staining, wrinkling, or chipping so common with these oversized rarities.

Originally available only through the redemption of tobacco coupons through the mail, the N173 Old Judge Cabinet has been a scarce commodity since its years of issue, and represents today one of the most challenging endeavors for the trading card collector. The fine photography and oversized dimensions of the issue serves to expand its appeal beyond the sole purview of the tobacco card enthusiast, however, rightfully drawing attention from hobbyists with a concentration in the early game, and in baseball photography in general.

1903 Breisch-Williams E107 Christy Mathewson SGC 30 Good 2. "He was an inspiration to everybody and may we have more of his kind," spoke a doleful Kenesaw Mountain Landis at the 1925 memorial service for the future posthumous Hall of Fame inductee. "His sense of justice, his integrity, and sportsmanship made him far greater than Christy Mathewson the pitcher." Though baseball's first Commissioner had been recruited by Major League Baseball to ferret out its worst in the midst of the 1919 Black Sox scandal, Landis was able to recognize the game's best as well, properly honoring this shimmering diamond in the Dead Ball Era rough. It was a sentiment shared by essentially every player, teammate or adversary, which ever encountered Big Six on the playing field.

The presented unassuming slab of cardboard could be similarly praised, rating as one of the most desirable rarities in the trading card collecting hobby. While we cannot state definitively the precise population of surviving examples, it is telling that just four have ever passed through the grading services of PSA or SGC, making even the famed Honus Wagner card seem downright common by comparison.

The card serves as a defining moment in the hobby, due perhaps most notably to the fact that the E107 Breisch-Williams issue is widely considered to be the first major baseball set of the twentieth century. Mathewson serves not only as its most desirable and elusive component, but also makes his appearance here with the all-important rookie designation. One could count on a single hand the Hall of Fame rookies which compete with the Breisch-Williams Mathewson for rarity, and this represents just the second auction block appearance of a specimen in the past dozen years, according to our comprehensive database. It is likewise the superior representation.

The assigned grade of SGC 30 Good 2 belies the card's enormous eye appeal, which provides the visuals of an example two levels higher except upon the closest of inspection. Magnification indicates a mild degree of surface scratching to account for the SGC assessment, though we must stress again that the fine registration, minimal eastward centering shift and lack of significant corner wear are far more typical of a VG-EX card. Truthfully, the tremendous scarcity of this special offering should dismiss petty condition concerns anyhow. It's entirely possible that the opportunity to own another will never arise.

1909-11 T206 American Beauty "Home Run" Baker PSA NM-MT 8 - Pop 1-of-1! Old school baseball is filled with colorful nicknames but a select few stand head and shoulders above the rest. History comes to life with such unforgettable names like "The Grey Eagle" (Tris Speaker), "The Canton Cyclone" (Cy Young) and even "Death To Flying Things" (Robert Ferguson). On the written page, these names act as powerful insights of players long beyond this era. 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 simply as "Home Run" Baker. 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 a stunning example of Baker's lone entry in the massive T206 White Border tobacco insert card series which required no less than three seasons of circulation.

The "T206" edition exists with an extensive list of tobacco brands/ factory designations adorning the reverse side of each card. After a century has passed it seems as many hobbyists collect this benchmark edition with careful thought given to the name on the back of the card as much as the name of the players on the obverse. The American Beauty is among the tougher brands known and within the T206 "350 Series" and can be found with and without a frame decoration. The "No Frame" version which happens to apply to this offering is very scarce and currently is confirmed on less than fifty of the hundreds of players found in the T206 series. This card shows slight evidence of handling on the reserve and minimal amounts of wear at the corner tips. The front surface is clean, the surrounding borders are bright; print registration is precise; the inks seem to forgotten to show their age as they are vibrant and fresh looking.

The PSA population report shows that of the over 260 "Home Run" Baker cards submitted only four exist at the NM-MT 8 level. A high grade trio are currently listed with backs "unknown" making this the only confirmed NM-MT 8 example to have an American Beauty reverse. Considering the scarcity of the brand and the fact that only one other confirmed Baker/ American Beauty combo is recorded (a PSA Good+ 2.5) it is highly likely this is a unique collectible deserving of the coveted "Pop 1-of-1 with none higher" title. We should also note that the Baker card in the much heralded T206 "Harris" collection was a NM 7 and currently no known T206 of Frank "Home Run" Baker recorded at the Mint 9 level is known to exist.

1910-11 T3 Turkey Red Cabinets Christy Mathewson #27 Checklist Back PSA EX 5. This cherished image of Christy Mathewson - posed calmly but resolutely, ready to throw - seems to capture the essence of its time in baseball history. The Cabinet's generous proportions enable the viewer to discern such nuances as a wrinkle in the Hall of Famer's uniform, the hand-strength as his glove envelops the ball, and even the ghostly structures and clouds in the distance. The scene begets a feeling of tranquility, but the great hurler's poise and his competitive fire - ready to become unleashed - are somehow evident, too. A marvelous instance of baseball-card-as-art, this sought-after premium stands as one of the hobby's visual delights.

Within a total Population Report cohort of just under 60 pieces, PSA has placed only five copies ahead of this crystal-clear Mathewson rendering. Its player image is impeccably bright and unsullied, and the Checklist Back (outlining the promotion's premium offer, along with a checklist itemizing Baseball and Boxing subjects from #'s 1 to 76, inclusive) has retained full fidelity in its printing. Condition liabilities - none of which impinge upon the observer's enjoyment of the piece - include a tiny surface fault at the right-side border on the reverse, a hint of age-toning at the top margin on the front, and very light traces of past handling at the corners.

1911 Zeenut PCL Buck Weaver SGC 88 NM/MT 8. The one-year-only association of George Daniel "Buck" Weaver with the PCL's San Francisco Seals is commemorated by this West Coast-issued rarity. In an alluring sepia photo, the collectible presents a full-length pose of a future Major League star, who would soon make a name for himself with the Chicago White Sox. In this priceless illustration, Weaver's cocky, self-assured posture and insouciant expression are those of a person who would somehow, someday -- innocently or not -- become involved in scandal. Sure enough, Buck's on-field success in later years has been unfairly overshadowed by implications of an untoward role in the "Black Sox" controversy of 1919. The passage of years, however, has allowed Weaver to enjoy wide-scale exoneration by both history and the collecting hobby such that, today, his legend remains deservedly strong among baseball cognoscenti.

This unique debut piece picturing Buck Weaver claims exclusive "1 of 1" distinction, standing alone at the apex of its eleven-card SGC census. (PSA has holdered a mere half-dozen of its counterparts, none higher than a "5.") Premium-sized dimensions -- which constitute such a liability in lesser examples from the Zeenut productions -- have exacted no penalties on this outstanding paper antique's quality of preservation: the card concedes no observable corner wear, its image is luscious and clear, and its blank back is pristine. This is a special relic, one that -- in view of its PCL origin, its subject's role in the growth of a National Pastime, and the evocative nature of its background, in general -- soars above the finite realm of "sports cards." It's a piece of Americana, as well as one of those seldom-encountered period souvenirs wherein condition is commensurate with importance.

1914 Boston Garter Joe Jackson SGC 10 Poor 1. There are stars, superstars, Hall of Famers, and then there are legends. The saga of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson is beyond legend, his saga attaining mythical proportions reserved only for deities. Is he revered because we want to believe that "Goliath" is always the bad guy? Is he admired because his humble beginnings afford him a greater degree of compassion and understanding not afforded to the privileged? Or could it be because the love of the game is so engrained in our psyche that it would be sacrilegious to admonish the man who was one of the most gifted natural talents ever to step foot into a batter's box?

Regardless, Joe Jackson is the undisputed key entry in the extremely rare 12-card Boston Garter window display series appearing in 1914. The intense batting pose of Jackson, here towering god-like above the all-but forgotten earthly product this marvelous piece was designed to promote.

The corners show a gentle rounding, the surfaces display a light toning barely affecting hues that remain rich and appealing. Free of any type of restoration or alteration, this crowning achievement of any vintage collection does show the result of a liaison with one of nature's little creatures who decided to make a small portion of card stock a hearty afternoon or evening snack. This small opening to the right of Jackson's knee is the most obvious evidence of this dining choice. A slight water mark in the upper right and two small spots of surface chipping along an edge are mentioned for accuracy. The technical grade is the natural result of the mentioned segment and fails to take into consideration the strong visual appeal bestowed upon the viewer. This is one of only two examples known with a numerical grade and without nibbling, this amazing treasure would grade at the Very Good (3) to Very Good-Excellent plateau. Few would dispute that these full-color Boston Garter cards are the rarest and most attractive of any baseball series of the 20th Century. If afforded the opportunity to acquire any one of the dozen names on the impressive roster, Joe Jackson would receive the nod every time.

1915 Cracker Jack Christy Mathewson #88 SGC 96 Mint 9. A dream will come true for one sophisticated collector here, as Heritage presents one of the most remarkable E145-2 Cracker Jack cards to be placed upon the auction block in recent memory. Those with even a passing knowledge of the baseball collectibles can appreciate the scarcity and desirability of any Mint condition Mathewson baseball card. Mathewson's illustrious career was largely cemented in history by the time this card came to market. His career earned Matty a well justified place in Cooperstown's inaugural class of five legends of the game. A hero off the field as well, Christy's death by pneumonia in 1925 was the delayed result of a poisonous gas attack occurring during his service in World War I. Issued only a year shy of his retirement from professional baseball, the multi-colored portrait is of a very young Mathewson, printed with an alarmingly high degree of precision. His image and surrounding flawless red field are interrupted only by the "Cracker Jack BALL PLAYERS" tag line is centered about as perfect as could possibly be. The borders are bright and fresh, the back is a strong strike resulting in fully legible lettering. To be critical beyond the point of reason, we will add there are micro print dots within the white frame and a few on the reverse. If one passes on this card for that reason the lucky winner will be eternally grateful. Do we even need to add this is the highest graded example known? Stunning Mint condition.

1915 E145-2 Cracker Jack Walter Johnson #57 SGC 96 Mint 9. Standing shoulder to shoulder next to the names Cobb, Wagner, and Jackson is the Washington Senators' mound master Walter Johnson. So accomplished was his career that he was one of the first five players to be inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1936. A Connecticut arms laboratory recorded Walter Johnson's fastball at 134 feet per second. That is equal to ninety-nine miles per hour, a speed the lanky farmboy was somehow able to generate with a smooth sidearmed motion that baffled and certainly terrified opposing batters. In the blink of an eye... it was over. New York Highlanders outfielder Birdie Cree provided his own methodology for handling Johnson's speed: "When you see the arm start forward, swing." It was said that, "...[Johnson was] the most threatening sight I ever saw in the ball field." And this quote comes from the hardened Ty Cobb in 1907 when Walter was a mere rookie "fresh off the farm" as they say. He was a tall and unassuming sight on the mound... until he threw his fastball which was usually over 90 mph. His 3,500+ strikeouts and 417 victories proved the irascible Cobb's words rather prophetic.

Walter Johnson does not appear in many of the "E" class of caramel/ candy card sets of his early career, particularly those issued between 1908 and 1915. He is without a doubt a key name in the E145 Cracker Jack series and card #57 from the 1915 edition is among the top 100 cards of the hobby. The offered example has every qualification sure to entice and satisfy the most condition-conscious hobbyist. It would rank as a triumphant victory in even the most advanced vintage card collections.

This head-turning beauty is one of only three examples at the SGC 96 Mint 9 level. The condition is nothing short of miraculous for a 95-year old, fragile 2-1/4 x 3" piece of paper. The borders are bright; the horizontal centering is barely 1/32" from the utmost in precision. Each corner tip ends as a razor sharp point, a pair of which some may feel are even above the "Mint" assessment. The surfaces are free of stains and scuffing. The colors are vibrant and the print registration is virtually unimprovable. The adulation could go on and on but the picture truly is worth a thousand words. This card is simply a stunning display of quality and the printers' craft made all the more impressive surrounded by the deep black insert of the SGC holder.

1919 Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown Single Signed Baseball. "That old paw served me pretty well in its time," Brown once said of the injured hand that earned him the "Three Finger" nickname. "It gave me a firmer grip on the ball, so I could spin it over the hump. It gave me a greater dip." A childhood farming accident proved to be the ultimate blessing in disguise for the 1949 posthumous Hall of Fame inductee, whose 2.06 career ERA is third best in baseball history after Ed Walsh and Addie Joss. But Brown's brilliance has proven to be inversely proportional to the availability of his autograph, which rarely surfaces in any format, much less the single signed baseball representation featured here.

In fact, our comprehensive database of results for all major sports auctions over the past dozen years finds not one example of a Brown single, suggesting that bidding for this remarkably well preserved specimen will be spirited. The ONL (Heydler) orb was autographed just a week short of the three year anniversary of Brown's last pitching appearance, a contest all the more historically significant for the fact that it was likewise the last start for the great Christy Mathewson. Brown's black fountain pen ink signature is luxuriously large on the sweet spot, and the "Aug 28th, 1919" notation on the side panel appears to have been rendered by the right-handed ace as well. The ball is lightly and evenly toned, with bold stamping. A rock-solid representation of one of the hobby's most elusive singles. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

Late addition: Our consignor relates to us that the ball was given by Brown to his grandfather, Ross C. Harriott, the treasurer of the 3-I League who signed Brown to coach the Terre Haute team, which was subsequently renamed the Terre Haute Browns in his honor.

Late 1920's Lou Gehrig Single Signed Baseball. It has been said that for every one hundred Babe Ruth singles, you'll find one solo Lou Gehrig, and even that may be overstating the supply of the latter. After all, Gehrig was quoted as saying, "I'm not a headline guy. I know that as long as I was following Ruth to the plate I could have stood on my head and no one would have known the difference." Though this is more of an illustration of Gehrig's tremendous modesty than a tongue-in-cheek statement of fact, it is certainly undeniable that Lou just did not receive a fraction of the autograph requests that Ruth did, leaving collectors six decades after his passing to scrap for the scant few available singles.

While it's practically rude to quibble about condition when any genuine Gehrig single is cause for celebration, those most discerning collectors will find no cause for complaint with the provided representation, the black fountain pen ink side panel signature rating a conservative 8/10 in strength. The OAL baseball appears to have shed its presidential stamping, making precise dating of the sphere more difficult, but the red and blue stitching assures pre-1935 vintage and we've only been able to locate the unique patent stamping on the reverse sweet spot upon team balls dated to 1928, perhaps a single year variation. Regardless of its exact birthdate, this is an important keepsake as resilient as the man himself, a true Iron Horse of the collecting world. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1927 Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig Signed Baseball. While the tremendous visual quality of this autographed baseball is certain to appeal to all fans of the sport's most fearsome slugging duo, the true Yankee historian is bound to fall desperately in love for yet another reason. From the minor variation present in the stamping of this ONL (Heydler) ball, we are able to peg it definitively to the 1927 season. And why would Lou and the Babe be in the presence of a National League ball? The only logical conclusion is that the venue of the signing was Pittsburgh's Forbes Field on either October sixth or seventh, the dates of the first two games of the 1927 World Series. This relic from the absolute pinnacle of New York Yankees glory features a brilliantly bold black fountain pen sweet spot signature from the sixty home run hero, projecting at a boldness of 8.5/10, touched only by a minor degree of surface wear. Below him we find an 8/10 Lou Gehrig, the American League's Most Valuable Player. This remarkable quality is due in some degree to a coating of shellac, which has mellowed to a caramel tone, adding to the vintage patina of this delectable piece. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1928 Ty Cobb & Tris Speaker Dual Signed Baseball. It's remarkable just how close this iconic pair came to joining the "Eight Men Out" of the 1919 Chicago White Sox in baseball infamy, edged to the brink of banishment by accusations of game-fixing from one of Cobb's own Tigers teammates. The day after Shoeless Joe and the gang clinched the 1919 American League pennant, making the results of all remaining regular season games a formality, Speaker's Cleveland Indians met Cobb's Detroit Tigers at Briggs Field. The Tigers would claim the victory that day, September 25, 1919, a result which Tigers pitcher Dutch Leonard would report seven years later had been orchestrated by the Hall of Fame outfielders, who had wagered large sums of money on the "sure thing" gamble.

Rather ironically, the subsequent scandal would ultimately drive the celebrated pair together, as Speaker and Cobb abandoned the teams they had represented for ten and twenty-two years respectively, finding themselves sharing a dugout a year later with the 1928 Philadelphia Athletics. It was just after the close of that season that the inaugural class Hall of Famers appeared together in Toronto, Ontario, as a notation in an unknown hand indicates. We've been unable to uncover the purpose for this international travel, but perhaps it was as simple as a shared vacation for two aging ballplayers celebrating retirement after nearly a half century of combined diamond brilliance. In any regard, the resultant artifact presented here is the first and only dual signed sphere we've ever encountered from the fourth and fifth members of the 3,000 Hit Club.

And if there is another, it would be difficult to believe that this is not the superior example, supplying both a sweet spot Speaker and northern panel Cobb with 8.5/10 fountain pen brilliance. The "Reach Official League" ball, convincingly providing an OAL appearance with its red and blue stitching, likewise presents marvelously with only a hint of inconsequential spotting well clear of the signatures. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1929 John McGraw Signed Presentational Bat. You'll search long and hard to find a single signed baseball from this gruff emperor of the Polo Grounds, but unless you have your eyes on the presented specimen, you're almost certain to search forever for McGraw signed lumber. We've encountered examples of the bat that serves as the autograph's home before, a special "Spalding" presentational model with engraved barrel text, "Loyal Giants Rooters Dinner to John J. McGraw and the 1929 Giants, New York, April 14th, 1929," but none so thrillingly blessed by the man of the hour. Little Napoleon's black fountain pen ink signature is applied to a sanded area on the barrel of the full sized (34.5") bat, which serves as an imperfect home but still allows the autograph to register at a 6/10 strength.

The fifty-six year old veteran skipper would lead his 1929 Giants to eighty-four wins during the season beginning just four days ahead, good enough for a third place finish in the National League he had conquered ten times since taking the managerial reins in 1902. McGraw remains a favorite among residents of Baltimore for his early years of playing service to Ned Hanlon's World Champion Orioles, and is buried at Baltimore's New Cathedral Cemetery, less than five miles from the auction podium where this bat will find its new owner. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1940's Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball, PSA NM-MT+ 8.5. When Steve Grad, lead authenticator of PSA/DNA, characterized the presented sphere as the "finest Babe Ruth signature I've ever seen on a baseball," we were pleased, though not surprised. We certainly shared his opinion, and couldn't envision the possibility of a superior example. The Babe's black fountain pen ink, applied to the sweet spot of a creamy OAL (Harridge) baseball, is as timeless as the legend of the man himself, and as unflinchingly bold.

This is not a lot for the collector merely checking names off of a list, but rather for the most discerning of hobby connoisseurs who understand the inherent value that accompanies the term "finest known." Despite the famous generosity of the Babe which has supplied the modern hobby with thousands of signed baseballs, only the fortunate few are afforded a window into the past such as this, an encounter with a baseball essentially unchanged from its moment in the game's most talented hands. And only one collector can claim the definitive example of the hobby's most fundamental building block.

The NM-MT+ 8.5 grade is calculated from a rather conservative rating of 9/10 for the signature quality and 7/10 for the baseball itself, the inevitable fading of the factory stamping and all but imperceptible shift in tone the mitigating factors here. An extra half point is provided for the enormous "eye appeal," and to further mathematically separate the piece from the rest of the pack. The ball remains encapsulated in its PSA/DNA grading cube and is accompanied by a full grading LOA. Full grading LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1939 Eddie Shore Game Worn Babe Siebert Memorial Jersey. A native of Fort Qu'Appelle, Saskatchewan, Edward William Shore grew up on a horse ranch at Cupar, where years of hard work breaking in ponies, herding stock and hauling grain readied his body for the demands of professional ice hockey. After coming up the junior ranks as a member of the 1923-24 Melville Millionaires, Shore went on to star for the Regina Caps and the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Hockey League. Upon the league's folding at the end of the 1925-26 season, his rights were assumed by Charles Adams for his newly-formed NHL team -- the Boston Bruins.

Beantown was lucky to have such a player among their ranks as Shore's devastating aggressive style of play ensured that pro hockey was in Boston to stay. Feared around the league for his intensity on the ice, Shore racked up a record 130 penalty minutes in his first season of NHL play. It should come as no surprise, then, that Shore was behind the first National Hockey League All-Star Game.

On December 12, 1933, Shore was involved in a traumatic incident that ended the career of Maple Leafs hero Ace Bailey. Retaliating after he was tripped by Toronto's King Clancy, Shore delivered a crushing blindside blow to Bailey which sent him head-first to the ice. Bailey survived the gruesome attack, but would never play NHL hockey again. As a result a benefit game was held for Bailey and his family, the first of three tribute games in the decade to include NHL All-Stars.

The garment that we present here comes from the third of those historic All-Star Games, this one held in October 1939, to memorialize the sudden passing of the named Montreal Canadiens head coach Babe Siebert. Shore donned this rarity during that game, making this one of the most desirable sweaters that we offer in this wool-heavy sale. This fantastic sweater presents with an attractive off-white color, trimmed by the NHL colors of orange and black. Chest insignia consists of a 9" star that reads "N.H.L. ALL STARS 1939," while the verso sports an 8" tall "2" in heavy black felt. Manufactured by McNiece's Sports in Montreal with tagging in the tail indicating that fact. Several small holes to the body and sleeves have gone understandably unrepaired since this shirt had only one game of use.

After playing only four games with the Boston Bruins in the 1939-40 season during which the Siebert Memorial Game took place, Shore was traded to the New York Americans for Eddie Wiseman and $5,000. The ten games that Shore skated with the Amerks would be his last hurrah in the NHL as he dedicated his time and effort to the AHL's Springfield Indians, a team he bought in 1939. Apparently Shore left this very jersey in the New York locker room when his stint with the Americans was over, at which point it became the possession of Team President Red Dutton. Dutton in turn presented it to an NHL player as a gift. After many years, this player sold this historic shirt to our consignor. Perhaps the most-desirable Siebert Memorial sweater in the hobby and one of legendary Hall of Famer Eddie Shore's final NHL jerseys. LOA from MeiGray.

1972-73 Frank Mahovlich Game Worn Montreal Canadiens Jersey. Not long after joining in Canada's historic defeat of the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series, the legendary Frank Mahovlich was issued this Montreal Canadiens sweater to begin a season which would end with the Stanley Cup raised above his head, capping one of the most glorious years in his Hall of Fame career. Certainly among the most important artifacts related to the 500 Goal Club member ever to reach the public auction block, the offered jersey exhibits fine wear from this Championship season, with four team repairs paying silent tribute to the battling nature of the man who appears as number twenty-seven on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.

Perfectly matched to a provided signed 8 x 10" photo of Mahovlich on the ice, the garment is crafted from red durene with blue and white trim, the Canadiens logo patch affixed at center chest below the popular tie-down collar. The alternate captain's "A" has been removed from the left breast, a common trait for 1970's Canadiens gamers. Number "27" is applied to verso in white and blue tackle twill, where a 10/10 blue sharpie autograph from Mahovlich resides. The digits are repeated on each sleeve. Proper "Wilson" manufacturer's label appears at interior collar, and the fight strap remains affixed at rear interior tail.

Though he was wearing white for the occasion, it is noteworthy that Mahovlich netted his 500th goal during the 1972-73 Stanley Cup Championship campaign, adding further appeal to the offered jersey.

1973-74 Johnny Bucyk Game Worn Boston Bruins Jersey. Having celebrated a half century with the Bruins franchise in 2008, "Chief" Bucyk remains one of the most beloved sports figures in a city whose history is overflowing with legends. After a rookie and sophomore season with the Detroit Red Wings, Bucyk came to Boston Garden in 1957, hanging up his skates twenty-one seasons later as the fourth leading point scorer of all time, including a franchise record 545 goals as a Bruin. The Bruins quickly and properly retired his number nine jersey from further use.

Here we present one of the last such jerseys worn on the ice by the superstar left winger, exhibiting solid wear from the Bruins' Golden Anniversary season, a milestone recognized by a pair of fantastic patches applied above the tri-color tackle twill number "9" affixed to each sleeve. The classic spoked-B Bruins logo patch is centered on the jersey chest below the distinctive crossover v-neck, with the captain's "C" patch appearing at left shoulder. A large number "9" commands the verso. A proper "Wilson" manufacturer's label is applied at interior collar, a markered notation lost to history through sweaty use.

Several team repairs attest to the hard-nosed play of this notorious hip-checker, most notably at the five o'clock position of the Bruins logo patch. Close inspection will reveal the stitching pattern of a removed nameplate on verso, having been applied for early NBC hockey broadcasts in the United States. Some minor staining on verso is noted for the sake of full disclosure, and causes little distraction.

This 1981 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee remains one of the most elusive for collectors of 500 Goal Club jerseys, so we expect a great deal of excitement when this top-quality specimen gets its moment on the auction block. The jersey derives from the famous Harvey McKenney collection, and includes a letter of authenticity from this respected hobby icon.

1974-75 Bobby Orr Game Worn and Signed Boston Bruins Jersey. Tied to a Boston Bruin organization that caught wind of his prodigious skill at the tender age of fourteen, the exceptional talent that was Bobby Orr was ready for the big stage of the NHL by the time he was a 6' 200-pound eighteen year old. Orr had all the skills from a very early age -- superb speed, phenomenal stickhandling, and out-of-this-world defensive prowess. Few who had seen him play would say that the Bruins were out of line when they made the teen the highest-paid player in NHL history for his rookie campaign. To say that he was good in his debut professional campaign would be a glaring understatement -- he collected a number of accolades including the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie, a spot on the Second All-Star Team, and finished second in the league in scoring by defenseman. It was a sign of spectacular things to come. Orr revitalized Beantown's zest for hockey much in the same way that Eddie Shore had sparked it generations before.

Once Orr entered the league, other outfits were forced to alter the way that they approached the sport. Never before had a defensive stalwart such as Orr possessed the skill and finesse to post the offensive tallies that he did -- opponents were defending the defender. But the heady future Hall of Famer always dominated when he was on the ice and there was very little anyone could do about it. Few familiar with sport are foggy on the details of Orr's famous goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals, a dramatic flying affair that brought Boston its first championship in twenty-nine years.

NHL defensive players who longed for a Norris Trophy, the honor bestowed upon the league's best defender each year, were unlucky if they played during the same era as Orr. The Boston great wrapped up that award each of his first eight seasons of NHL play. It was only injuries that could slow this phenomenal talent, a fact that was foreshadowed when the teenaged Orr suffered a damaged knee in his rookie year. His daring approach to the game eventually conspired to take away the mobility that was one of his supreme advantages.

From the last of his Norris Trophy runs and his last full season as a member of the Bruins we present this historically-compelling white Boston sweater. This is perhaps the final home shirt that Orr wore while still at the top of his game, before the injuries added up and robbed him of his game-changing speed and mobility. While we cannot conclude this definitively, it is believed that this is the only home jersey that Orr wore for all thirty-five regular season games at Boston Garden, with another set having been created for the Bruins' playoff run. Adding to the allure, Orr also won his second Art Ross Trophy awarded to the league's top scorer that season. To this day, no other defenseman has paced the NHL in scoring.

The white "Wilson" size 50 shirt comes with outstanding evidence of game use. Heavy puckering can be seen on the well-preserved spoked-wheel B crest on the chest, as well as the "4" attached at each arm and jersey verso. Lower front has some great stick marks and four great team repairs as well as nice material pilling in the area of the waist striping. Sleeves also show great wear with two team repairs to the lower left sleeve and five to the right, including a prominent one near the shoulder numeral. Verso shows some staining in the right shoulder area. The alternate captain's "A" has been carefully removed from the upper left chest area, a practice that is customary for Orr shirts. Inside features some nice material pilling and the two-piece garter style fight strap shows great rust. Orr has also signed this historic shirt twice -- once on the rear numeral and once on the upper right chest area.

Indisputable photo evidence puts this jersey on Orr's back, assuring a hockey collecting population properly skeptical of any Orr sweater. It's an unfortunate fact of life that indistinguishable replicas of Orr's gamers have surfaced with some frequency in the marketplace, having been sold at the Boston Garden souvenir shop back in the day, then altered by unscrupulous parties to provide the appearance of game wear. The presented jersey has been carefully researched by leading Bruins expert Harvey McKenney, whose photo documentation is joined by a detailed letter of authenticity.

A surefire pinnacle piece for any top-level memorabilia collection, this outstanding offering serves as one of Orr's finest. Worn during what would serve to be his last hurrah of sorts, this gamer signifies the close of a Boston legacy that may never be equaled. And with a record $191,200 result in the April 2010 Heritage Signature Sports Collectibles Auction for Orr's rookie jersey, it's clear that Bobby's never been hotter. LOA from Harvey McKenney. LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph). LOA from MeiGray.

1990 Wayne Gretzky All-Star Game Worn Jersey. The double-nines will still make the heart skip a beat over a decade after The Great One concluded his storied career. The availability of Gretzky gamers, however, has proven to be inversely proportional to the enormous demand, rarely surfacing on the hobby's auction block. Here we find one of the rarest of them all, the striking sweater worn by hockey's all-time leading scorer at Pittsburgh's Civic Arena on Sunday, January 21, 1990, as captain of the Campbell Conference in the 41st annual NHL All-Star Game.

The event marked the first time in a decade that NBC had televised a hockey game, and likewise the first opportunity for viewers to watch legends Gretzky and Mario Lemieux share a single rink. Only fans of defense could have been disappointed in the action, which provided a record nineteen goals to provide the Wales side with a twelve to seven victory.

The black, red, and white sweater sported by the game's greatest figure exhibits light but definite wear, proper for a single exhibition contest. The jersey front is dominated by an NHL crest and a two-tone tackle twill captain's "C." Number "99" is applied to each sleeve and verso, where "Gretzky" is announced in three-inch block lettering across rear nameplate. Logo patches of the 41st All-Star Game appear at each shoulder. "Maska Air-Knit" manufacturer's logo in collar bears a size "52" handwritten notation and some form of inventory code, "3-B," in black marker. Fight strap remains affixed to interior rear tail. Right sleeve holds an 8/10 black sharpie signature from the sweater's original owner.

An included February 25, 1990 letter on official NHL stationery attests that the jersey "auctioned at the SGMA Super Show in Atlanta, Georgia is authentic and was both worn and signed by Mr. Wayne Gretzky on January 21, 1990 at the 41st Annual NHL All-Star Game in Pittsburgh." A splendid specimen representing the height of rarity and desirability for the serious hockey collector.

Late addition: Hockey expert Bill Campbell informs us that Gretzky wore three jerseys during this contest, and that his third period jersey (along with Mario Lemieux') are on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. As such, we are able to conclude that this jersey was worn in either the first or second period.

2005-06 Sidney Crosby Game Worn Rookie Jersey with Photo Match. Matched in pre-NHL debut hype only by Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby was such a clear first choice for the 2005 NHL draft that the lottery to determine the team picking order was widely called "The Sidney Crosby Sweepstakes." Much to the joy of Penguins fans, Pittsburgh emerged with the coveted first draft spot, bringing Crosby onto the ice with the legendary veteran Mario Lemieux for what would prove to be the latter's final twenty-six games of his career. And the torch was passed.

Presented is a road white sweater worn during the most anticipated rookie season in three decades, specifically photo-matched to the January 11, 2006 contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The jersey sports a large logo patch at the chest, and the alternate captain's letter "A" just below the left shoulder. Number "87" appears at each bicep and on verso, where it is placed beneath a boldly lettered "Crosby" on the rear nameplate. "Cutting Edge Sports" maker's label appears at interior rear hem, noting the Penguins exclusivity and "Set #1 2005-2006." Fight strap remains affixed just above. Several stick and board marks decorate the jersey front and sleeves, supplying the details which make a photo match possible.

Crosby's rookie campaign would end with sixty-three assists and 102 points, each new records for a Penguins debut season topping tallies registered by Lemieux. This proved to be only a small taste of what was yet to come, as Crosby would hoist the 2009 Stanley Cup as team captain, and soon after earn a Gold Medal for Canada with his sudden-death goal against the United States. Already well on his way to hockey immortality with just a quarter of his career in the books, Crosby serves as one of the safest bets in the sports collecting hobby for investors looking for a piece with potential to appreciate in value. Just four Crosby rookie jerseys are known to the hobby. Should Crosby's brilliance continue for fifteen seasons, the owner of this one will look back upon the purchase as a tactic of pure genius.

Late addition: DVD of January 11, 2006 game featuring Crosby wearing this jersey will be included with lot. We have also added photo matches of January 13, 2006 game at Chicago and January 23, 2006 game at Philadelphia below.

1960 Don Meredith Game Worn Dallas Cowboys Rookie Helmet. Acquired at the same time, by the same source, who supplied this auction with the spectacular Don Meredith uniform that follows this lot, the presented "Riddell Kra-Lite" helmet likewise dates to the 1960 season in which both Dandy Don and the Dallas Cowboys made their first NFL appearance. Though our consignor insists that Meredith was so tough that he wore a helmet only because the NFL mandated it, the remarkably flimsy (by modern standards) six-point suspension system surely saved Meredith a few concussions in its day.

The suspension is stamped with a proper "7 3/8" size designation, and attribution to Meredith appears in a black marker number "17" over the left interior ear hole and a blue dymo tape "Meredith" applied to the exterior shell between the center striping at rear. The single bar face mask remains in place, a format utilized during the early days before multiple broken noses inspired trainers to seek extra protection for their young star.

Our consignor, a young Cowboys ball boy during the club's infancy, points out the faintly visible remnants of an earlier star application to the exterior shell, explaining how Tex Schramm demanded fastidious gear maintenance. As soon as a decal was damaged, it would be replaced, sometimes slighly off-kilter from earlier incarnations. In this case, the multiple applications ensures solid game wear, adding further appeal. Like the uniform that follows this lot, the presented helmet ranks among the most significant Cowboys collectibles ever to be offered at public sale, so bid accordingly. LOA from consignor, former Dallas Cowboys employee. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1960 Don Meredith Game Worn Dallas Cowboys Rookie Uniform. "Dandy" ensemble rates high among the most important Dallas Cowboy lots ever to reach the public auction block, believed to be the only surviving uniform from the historic debut season of the franchise which would come to be known as "America's Team." The ideal vintage alone is enough to establish the offering as a genuine hobby treasure, but the appeal increases exponentially when we recall that the number "17" which adorns the unmistakable blue and white durene relic was worn by the great Don Meredith, who served as back-up to Eddie LeBaron during the Cowboys' infancy before taking the lead role in 1962.

Born and bred in northern Texas, Meredith became a star quarterback at Southern Methodist University before joining the 1960 Cowboys as a rookie. He would wear the Lone Star for the entirety of his NFL tenure to conclude a lifetime career having never played a home game at any level more than thirty miles from downtown Dallas. This true "favorite son" joined Don Perkins as the second and third inductees (after founder Bob Lilly) of the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1976 to commemorate a remarkable NFL career which began with the presented uniform.

The jersey styling will be instantly recognizable to fans of recent "throwback" uniforms worn by the Cowboys to commemorate its past, the white shoulder sections with blue stars and numerals representing the height of football fashion. The white tackle twill numerals on front and verso are noticeably more narrow than subsequent seasons, allowing definitive first-year designation despite the fact that the general style was utilized for a few subsequent campaigns. Proper local Dallas "Southland" label appears at interior of the unique "crossover" collar, with a size "44" tag adjoining. Crotchpiece remains complete, with original buttons.

The matching "Southland" pants cement first-season status, as the contract for Cowboys uniform pants was shifted to "Red Fox" in 1961. The gorgeous size "34" garment features a satin twill front and belt which provides enormous aesthetic appeal to match its historical relevance. Number "17" appears in vintage marker at interior fly. Our consignor, a former Dallas Cowboys ballboy, explains that the laces in the fly appear for display, but that Meredith did not favor the crotch lacing for game wear.

The simply phenomenal uniform exhibits solid but reasonable wear, as to be expected for a rookie back-up quarterback. Picture-perfect from top to bottom, it's a piece of which only the finest private collections are worthy. LOA from consignor, former Dallas Cowboys employee. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1974 George Blanda Game Worn Oakland Raiders Jersey. Born and raised in the fertile football grounds of Pennsylvania steel country, George Frederick Blanda holds the rare distinction of having played NFL football in four different decades, his twenty-six seasons of service standing as a record to this day. Presented here is a jersey worn in the second to last NFL campaign registered by the Pro Football Hall of Famer, one in which he was still setting League-leading marks (with forty-four PAT's in forty-six attempts).

The black mesh Oakland Raiders gamer exhibits moderate wear from the ageless legend, and features the unique and desirable style characteristic of sewn-on vinyl numerals and a similarly crafted name on back sewn to a cheesecloth nameplate. Dual "Sand Knit" labeling in the lower left front tail tail announces Oakland Raiders exclusivity and "Size Large (42-44)."

With fellow Hall of Famers, coach John Madden and quarterback Kenny Stabler, Blanda would help lead the Raiders all the way to the Conference Championship in 1974, a feat the team would repeat the following season, which would prove to be Blanda's last. While any jersey once belonging to The Grand Old Man carries undeniable collecting appeal, one deriving from such a dominant period in Oakland Raiders history demands extra respect. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1978 Franco Harris Game Worn Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey. One of the most celebrated and effective figures of 1970's NFL football, Franco Harris (along with fellow Hall of Fame backfielder Rocky Bleier) provided the ground game to balance Terry Bradshaw's aerial assault and lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to close four seasons as Super Bowl Champions. The third would come with a thirty-five to thirty-one victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII, the glorious completion of a sixteen-win domination of the NFC (inclusive of playoffs) during which this picture-perfect white durene gamer saw action.

We can further establish the presented Canton-quality collectible to late-season activity, as the long-sleeved style present here was solely utilized for cold weather contests. The style is unmistakable, and transports us instantly to Steeltown's favorite football age. Number "32" is applied to chest, shoulders and verso in bold black tackle twill, with "Harris" standing in black and yellow 2.5" block on rear nameplate. Wear is quite strong, with four team repairs evident, most notably in an inch-long gash between the front numerals. A proper "Medalist Sand-Knit [size] 46" label appears at lower left front tail, slightly loose at right edge, just below a simple "78" year swatch.

The jersey is autographed and extensively notated by its famous former owner, the 10/10 gold sharpie stating "Super Bowl XIII Champs, Super Bowl IX MVP, Game Used 1978" along with Harris' signature. A Steiner holographic authentication sticker and matching COA accompanies the writing. LOA from Heritage Auctions. LOA from Steiner Sports (autograph). Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

2003 Brett Favre Game Worn Green Bay Packers Jersey - Used 10/5/2003 vs. Seahawks. The ageless wonder, Brett Favre led the Green Bay Packers' offense to five impressive touchdown drives and a 35-13 victory over his former head coach, Mike Holmgren and the Seattle Seahawks on October 5, 2003, the same game he wore this offered home jersey. Accompanied with an LOA signed by Favre, attesting to its game use, in addition to a "2003 Game Used 10-5-03 Pack 35 Hawks 13" inscription, this shirt also includes an LOA from highly-regarded Brett Favre/Packers game-worn jersey expert Guy Hankel.

Extensively photo and video matched to every attribute of the shirt by Hankel, this piece is unquestionably one of a very small number of authentic gamers worn by the future Hall of Famer that have sold at auction. All the proper characteristics are featured on this stunning shirt, from the correct "03-52" tag in the neckline (20" from armpit to armpit), Favre's typical custom tail (black snap fasteners, which were put on the jersey for the game and were removed afterwards and replaced by the snap enclosures/photomatched), to the "NFL Equipment" shield in the proper position, this jersey is rock solid. As expected, light, but evident use is exhibited on this jersey, from a day that Favre barely got touched by the Seahawks' defense, while spending most his Sunday afternoon high-fiving his teammates.

When it is all said and done, Brett Favre will not be remembered as a Vikings or the Jets player. Without question, memorabilia collectors will covet his gamers from his days spent at Lambeau Field as a member of the "Green and Gold." Here's a perfect chance for potential bidders to focus on a true Hall of Fame-caliber uniform, and secure it in their collection before the "'Ol' Gunslinger" adds another Super Bowl appearance to his tally. LOA from Brett Favre. LOA from Guy Hankel. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (Signature). Full LOA from PSA/DNA (Signature).

Circa 1969 Dave DeBusschere Game Worn New York Knicks Jersey. Glorious home white gamer features a two-year piping style, providing a strong chance that it was sported by the Hall of Fame power forward during the Knicks' magical 1969-70 NBA Championship season. In fact, the marvelous wear and the relative frugality of the professional game at this period would strongly suggest use during both of the prospective seasons, and an included World Champion team photo appears to picture DeBusschere in this very shirt.

The Springfield-quality gamer derives from the personal collection of Knicks equipment manager Danny Whalen and includes a photocopy of a 1993 handwritten letter from DeBusschere attesting to his usage. The style is instantly reminiscent of one of the greatest eras in Big Apple sports, a period of two years in which the Jets, Mets, and Knicks reached the promised land. "New York 22" is applied to the chest in orange and blue tackle twill, with "DeBusschere 22" similarly affixed to verso. The rippling in these identifiers speak to lengthy, sweaty use at Madison Square Garden, quite likely during the sixty-two and twenty regular season and the seven-game Finals victory over Chamberlain, Barry and West's seemingly invincible Los Angeles Lakers.

The only fault to note is the loss of the original manufacturer's labeling, though the stitching outline is still easily visible beside the proper size "46" identifier. A 7/10 black sharpie autograph from the jersey's former owner completes the package. With marvelous provenance and direct lineage to a man on the esteemed NBA's 50 Greatest Players roster makes this one of the most exciting basketball offerings to appear at auction in recent memory. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1974-75 Rick Barry Game Worn Golden State Warriors Jersey. A dream piece for the devout uniform collector, combining one of basketball history's most coveted styles, Championship season vintage, and first-person provenance from a member of the NBA's Fifty Greatest Players roster. Nicknamed "The Miami Greyhound" by broadcaster Bill King for his wiry build and remarkable quickness, Barry claimed the second position in the 1965 NBA draft and the first in Rookie of the Year voting, leading his team to the 1967 NBA Finals before jumping ship to the ABA in search of greener financial pastures.

This home yellow durene gamer found Barry in his third season after being reunited with his rookie squad, the only campaign in his Hall of Fame career which would end with NBA Championship glory. Surviving in 100% original and unaltered condition, the jersey features artful screened-on "Golden State Warriors 24" graphics on obverse and "24" on verso beneath a block-lettered "Barry" in 2.5" tall block blue tackle twill properly sewn directly into the jersey body. Marvelous wear is evident throughout, particularly in the softness of the "Wilson [size] 46" label at lower left tail and the "4" Extra Long" flap tag below, barely legible from sweat bleaching.

First person provenance is provided twice, first in the form of an enormous 9/10 black sharpie inscription on the jersey front which reads "Rick Barry, HOF 1987, 1974-75 Champions," and again with a signed personal letter reading, "This was my Golden State Warriors number '24' 1974-75 championship season jersey that I wore and personally autographed, Sincerely Rick Barry." LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1910 D322 "Tip Top Bread" Pittsburgh Pirates Complete Set (25) - #1 on the PSA Set Registry! This lot is proof that you should never let anyone tell you that hobby "finds" are an element of the past. For 100 years these 25 cards have rested in obscurity and are now being offered at auction for the first time, marking the centennial of their original circulation. In 1909, the Pittsburgh Pirates were a powerhouse who won 110 games while losing only 42. Pirate pitchers posted an average ERA of 2.15 while the team scored an average of almost five runs per game on 8.7 hits. The pitching staff boasted five pitchers who won 12 or more games, with Howie Camnitz leading the staff with a 25-6 record (HoFer Vic Willis would go 22-11 as second best hurler on the team). As was common, the best hitter on the team was baseball/hobby legend Honus Wagner who batted .339 that year.

The Ward family opened their first bakery in Pittsburgh in the 1880's. The original R.B. Ward Company would evolve into the Ward Mackey Company that sponsored this special commemorative edition now and forever designated "D322" thanks to the American Card Catalog. Consumers would find cards placed inside a loaf of bread or could exchange 50 labels from Tip Top Bread to "secure this entire series (25 cards) free." Fifty labels... That means 50 loaves of bread had to be bought and eaten. Even for a small family this hearty amount represents multiple months of bread consumption. The admirable state of preservation suggests this almost unbelievable find was the result of that 50-label exchange. It is this manner of distribution that likely explains the severe lack of availability even the most passionate hobbyist faces today finding these cards as compared to the tobacco-based counterparts. The players are depicted via colorful illustrations, all in uniform, each head to chest portrait the work of renowned sports photographer Carl Horner. The Wagner is "the" same unmistakable portrait the entire hobby is familiar with, but now presented in its full frame glory as originally taken by Horner.

The exemplary overall condition of the cards is as impressive and startling as was their discovery. A review of the cards makes questioning their #1 "All-Time Finest" position on the PSA Set Registry with a 5.50 (excellent-plus) GPA a foolish endeavor. The facts are that 56% of the subjects (14) are the stand alone finest examples graded to date by PSA. These include notables Fred Clarke, Chas. Adams, Deacon Phillippe, and the very scarce Tip Top Mascot. Six additional subjects (including Wagner and Dreyfuss) are one of only 2 or 3 known for their grade with none higher, making 20 of 25 (a full 80% of the set) cards earning the title "highest grade level known."

The set grades: PSA NM 7: 4 cards, Adams, Leever, O'Connor and Phillippe; PSA EX-MT+ 6.5: 3 cards, Flynn, Leifield and Webb; PSA EX-MT 6: 5 cards, Fred Clarke, Leach, W. Locke, Simon and White; PSA EX+ 5.5: 1 card, Tip Top Mascot; PSA EX 5: 7 cards, Byrne, Camnitz, Gibson, Maddox, Miller, Honus Wagner and Wilson; PSA VG-EX 4: 4 cards, Abbaticchio, Campbell, Dreyfuss and Forbes Field; PSA VG+ 3.5: 1 card, Hyatt. A full population report is available on our web site.

1923 V100 Willards Chocolate Complete Set (180) - #1 on the PSA Set Registry! It is always a pleasure when one doesn't know what part of a presentation is the most impressive. For public auctions, this is a first time a 180-card complete set of V100 Willards Chocolate Co. baseball cards has ever been offered. If the opportunity to acquire one of the more obscure but comprehensive issues of the era fails you then the fact that almost 90% (89.9% to be precise) of the offered cards equals the highest grade recorded to date certainly cannot be denied. Some "Pop 1-of-1 with none higher" highlights are baseball Hall of Famers Ty Cobb, Eppa Rixey, Frank Frisch, Tris Speaker, Miller Huggins, George Sisler, and Babe Ruth. The Ruth is a stunning NM-MT 8 beauty that is three grades higher than the second finest known - a pair of EX 5s as recorded by PSA. The roster of HoFers extends to football with the inclusion of Football HoF coach Alfred Earle Neale. Fans of this issue are all too aware of the scarcity of finding the blank-backed collectibles in any condition in the current marketplace. The fact that less than 450 total '23 Willards have been submitted to PSA speaks clearly regarding the scarcity of this issue. Looking at the total population figure for each subject you find the overwhelming majority of the subjects (159 of 180) has a total population of four or fewer. Many of the images are unique. The most noted being the portrait of Yankees manager Miller Huggins (found only here and in the E123 edition) which depicts him wearing his Yankees cap complete with the timeless "NY" logo.

The overall quality for a vintage set is simply remarkable. Not only is this the first complete set ever offered it is the finest known complete assembly recorded in any registry. One-hundred-thirty cards (72.2%) hold the coveted "Pop 1-of-1 with none higher" status. Just under 54% grade NM or better. As mentioned, 89.9% are the cards equal the finest graded examples recorded to date with no known copy confirmed to exist. The highest pop total for any card is a "4" if one can call that "high" in any sense of the term. This presentation currently ranks as the #1 Set on the PSA Set Registry and the GPA of 6.46 (that's .04 away from the EX-MT+ level) makes this an accomplishment not likely ever to be improved upon any time in the foreseeable future. It is a set well deserving of the finest vintage collections.

Includes: Graded - PSA NM-MT+ 8.5: 2 cards, J. Collins and Rixey; PSA NM-MT 8: 29 cards, Boeckel, Brazil, Cadore, Cruise, Duncan, Ehmke, Falk, Fohl, G. Gibson, Gleason, Griffith, Hasty, Holke, Hollocher, Hoyt, R.W. Jones, Kelly, Killefer, King, Moran, Parkinson, E.S. Rice, Ring, Babe Ruth, Sallee, Tobin, Wilhelm, F. Williams and Wingo; PSA NM+ 7.5: 9 cards, Christenberry, Erickson, Fournier, Frisch, Henline, E. Johnson, Kolp, Mitchell, and O'Farrell; PSA NM 7: 57 cards, Bagby, Baker, Barnes, Cole, S. Coveleskie, Daubert, Davis, Doak, Donovan, Dugan, Dykes, Flack, Gardner, Gowdy, Grimes, Grimm, Haines, Heilmann (MK), Huggins, J. H. Johnston, Judge, Keenan, Kilduff, Mack, Mails, Marquard, McBride, McClellan, McHenry, McWeeney (sic), Menosky, E. Meusel, R. Meusel, O. L. Miller, Mueller, Oldham, G. O'Neil, S. O'Neill, Paskert, Peckinpaugh, Pennock, Ponder, Powell, Robertson, Ruel, Schang, Schmandt, Scott, Sewell, Sheely, Shinners, Shocker, E. S. Smith, Speaker, Stock, Wheat and Wilson; PSA EX-MT+ 6.5: 8 cards, Deal, Griffin, W.B. Harris, Mogridge, Olson, Rawlings, G.H. Sisler and Joe Wood; PSA EX-MT 6: 37 cards, Barber, Blue, Carey, Ty Cobb, Dauss, Duffy, Evers, Faber, Gharrity, Gleason, Hooper, Hornsby, Lavan, Maranville, McInnis, Meyers, Milan, Miljus, E. J. Miller, Morrison, Oeschger, Perkins, Pipp, Pratt, Roush, Ryan, G. A. Smith, Stephenson, Thormahlen, Tierney, Veach, Walker, Whitted, Wilkenson, K. Williams, Witt and Yaryan; PSA EX+ 5.5: 2 cards, Geo. J. Burns and R.S. Young; PSA EX 5: 21 cards, Bancroft, G. Burns, Clemons, Cutshaw, Ellerbe, Galloway, S.R. Harris, Jamieson, Walter Johnson, Mays, E. Miller, Neale, Pfeffer, Rickey, Rommel, Russell, Severeid, Shanks, E. L. Smith, Staatz (sic), and Ward; PSA VG-EX+ 4.5: 3 cards, S. P. Jones, Leibold and McGraw; PSA VG-EX 4: 9 cards, Austin, Bassler, Carlson, Jacobsen (sic), Mostil, J.W. Smith, Sullivan, Vaughn and Youngs (sic); PSA VG 3: 2 cards, Alexander and Rapp; PSA Good 2: 1 card, Adams.

1916 BF2 Ferguson Bakery Baseball Pennants Near Set (71/97). The Ferguson Bakery Felt Pennants are a series of 6" tall pieces of pennant shape felt decorated with the name and team of one of 97 different currently known subjects. Each also has a small 1-1/4 x 1-3/4" Black & White photo. Believed to have been circulated around 1916, the felts were inserted as a premium into bags of Ferguson's Bakery Co. loaves of bread. Today, they are very scarce and as one wanders down the isles and dealer tables of the largest hobby conventions only a precious few may carry a "BF2" scattered among the seemingly endless piles and displays of the cardboard variety collectibles. Few complete sets are known and only one complete set has ever been offered at public auction. Each of the almost 100 different subjects can be found on an array of different color felts for you master set fans. This presentation offers a very nice selection of the many different hues including Purple, White, Light Blue, Tan, Brown, Mauve, Salmon, Violet plus others. The subject roster is highlighted by baseball legends Grover Alexander, Nap Lajoie, Honus Wagner, Connie Mack plus an all too rare appearance of Shoeless Joe Jackson and future 1919 "Black Sox" Buck Weaver. To assemble a matching collection would test the patience and determination of even the most passionate hobbyist.

The overall condition of this rare selection is mainly excellent with those lesser showing evidence of having been sewn together at some point in the past. The photo portions are mainly excellent to mint or better (some lesser due to creases) and those marked (*) are incomplete. Photos are particular condition sensitive as the mount which traditionally protects images in this case is an ever flimsy piece of cloth making the inevitable crease an all but foregone conclusion. Surprisingly, that is mainly not the circumstance with this presentation. It is a prize of not just quantity but noteworthy quality. Includes: Alexander (VG), Archer, Baker (VG), Bancroft, Barry, Chief Bender (VG), Benz, Burns, Bush, Cady, Carey (GD), Cravath*, E. Collins (VG), S. Collins, Charles Comiskey (EX/MT), Sam Crawford (VG), Dooin, Dubuc, Johnny Evers (GD/VG), Foster, Gainer, Gedeon, Gowdey, Hamilton, Hendrix, Herzog, Miller Huggins (EX w/stains), Joe Jackson (EX), Hugh Jennings (VG), Judge, Kauff, Napoleon Lajoie (EX/MT), Lapp, Lavan, Leonard, Lewis, Ludurus, Connie Mack (VG), Marquard*, McInnis, Merkle, Miller*, Moran, Morgan, Morton, Murphy, Oldring, Paskert, Rowland, Rucker, Rudolph, Saier, Sallee, Schalk, Schang, Schulte, Scott*, George Sisler (EX/MT), Stallings, Stanage, Tesreau, Tinker*, Tyler, Vaughn, Veach, Hans Wagner (EX+), Buck Weaver (VG/EX), Wingo, Joe Wood (VG), Pep Young and Zimmerman*.

1952 Topps Baseball Master Set (490) - #11 on the PSA Set Registry Plus 5-Cent Wrapper! Roy Campanella once said, " You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you, too." To paraphrase the great Dodgers catcher, "You gotta be a man to assemble a 1952 Topps Master set, but you do it because you have that little boy inside you." For those fortunate enough to have collected right from the pack, the experience must have been close to spiritual. They have every point of pride a hobbyist could ask for. Their size, their colors, the portraits: all illustrated in a perfect balance between realistic and artistic. These cards were like no other that had come before. It doesn't matter which era one settles into this set extols a universal appeal. It's almost hypnotic the way even the mast casual consumer can't help but stop and look at a binder of 1952 Topps cards gracing a dealers table. No other production deserves the title "The Set." If Baseball is life... '52 Topps baseball is the hobby.

With a highly prized (and priced) Mickey Mantle's rookie card and almost 100 scarce high numbers that conclude this classic production, to assemble a complete set of all 407 different cards is a challenge not to be taken lightly. Our consignor has not only met that plateau he has achieved "Complete Master Set" status. At 490 cards, this presentation offers every first-series color variation plus the rare Joe Page, Johnny Sain, and Campos error cards. The decision to part with such an accomplishment is no small decision but we take comfort in knowing that every known card from Pafko to Mathews will bring their new admirer timeless satisfaction and hopefully rekindle childhood memories of those sunny spring and summer months of that bygone era.

The challenge of quality has also been met very nicely. With a current GPA of 5.70 this presentation ranks #11 on the PSA Set Registry for Master Sets! Only 10 cards (2%) have been grades below the "EX 5" level. Just over 60% of the set grades EX-MT 6 or better including almost 50% of the high-number series, Snider, Feller, Spahn, Hodges, Berra, Mays, Mantle, Robinson, Campanella, Dickey plus the two most condition sensitive cards in the set: cards #1 Pafko (an EX-MT-red back) and 407 Eddie Mathews (EX-MT). We should also note all but a couple cards in the high number exists in EX or better condition. Includes: Graded -

PSA NM-MT 8: 2 cards, #'s 230 and 309;

PSA NM+ 7.5: 1 card, #296;

PSA NM 7: 63 cards, #'s 8, 14/BB, 18, 26 Irvin/BB, 29 Kluszewski, 33 Spahn/BB, 34, 37 Snider, 38/BB, 28/BB, 63, 66 Roe/BB, 77, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88 Feller, 96, 98, 112, 113, 115, 116, 117, 130, 134, 143, 156, 167, 187, 207, 215 Bauer, 216 Ashburn, 217, 224, 227 Garagiola, 228, 239, 243 Doby, 246 Kell, 247, 249, 255, 268 Lemon, 269, 271, 273, 287, 294, 303, 304, 308, 314 Campanella, 328, 332, 338, 345, 363, 364, 366 and 368;

PSA EX-MT 6.5: 32 cards, #'s 5, 18/BB, 27/BB, 34/BB, 41, 51, 54/BB, 81, 97, 106, 118, 141, 148, 159, 168, 180, 190, 201, 205, 210, 214, 248, 283, 292, 293, 306, 322, 348, 376, 380, 382 Jones and 386;

PSA EX-MT 6: 203 cards, #'s 1 Pafko, 2 Runnels/BB, 4, 7, 8/BB, 9/BB, 11 Rizzuto, 13/BB, 14, 15, 15/BB, 17, 21/BB, 22 DiMaggio/BB, 23, 23/BB, 24, 25, 25/BB, 26 Irvin, 27, 28, 28/BB, 30/BB, 31, 31/BB, 33 Spahn, 35, 35/BB, 36 Hodges, 36 Hodges/BB, 37 Snider/BB, 38, 39 Trout/BB, 41/BB, 42/BB, 43, 43/BB, 44/BB, 46, 47, 48 Page/Correct, 48 Page/Correct/BB, 48 Page/Error/BB, 49 Sain/Correct, 51/BB, 52, 52/BB, 53, 53/BB, 54, 55/BB, 57 Lopat/BB, 58, 59 Roberts, 59 Roberts/BB, 62, 62/BB, 63/BB, 64, 64/BB, 68, 68/BB, 70/BB, 73, 74, 74/BB, 75, 75/BB, 77/BB, 78/BB, 80, 86, 90, 91 Schoendienst, 92, 93, 94, 95, 99, 104, 105, 108, 109, 111, 114, 122 Jensen, 123, 126, 127, 131, 133, 135, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 147, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 155, 158, 160, 161, 163, 165, 166, 169, 173, 179, 184, 189, 191 Berra, 192, 194, 197, 198, 199, 203, 204, 206, 208, 211, 213, 218, 219, 220, 225, 226, 229, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 244, 251, 252, 253, 254, 256, 257, 259, 260, 261 Mays, 266, 272, 274, 275, 277 Wynn, 279, 280, 281, 284, 285, 290, 291, 295, 297, 299, 302, 305, 310, 311 Mantle, 312 Robinson, 313 Thomson, 316, 317, 324, 329, 331, 333 Reese, 334, 335, 339, 340, 343, 344 Blackwell, 350, 359, 361, 365, 369 Groat, 372 McDougald, 374, 375, 379, 388, 389, 390, 392 Wilhelm, 395, 400 Dickey, 404 and 407 Mathews;

PSA EX+ 5.5: 14 cards, #'s 7/BB, 12, 29 Kluszewski/BB, 39 Trout, 60, 69/BB, 107, 125, 128, 176, 196, 270, 349 and 354;

PSA EX 5: 167 cards, #'s 1 Pafko/BB, 2 Runnels, 3, 3/BB, 5/BB, 6, 9, 10 Rosen, 10 Rosen/BB, 11 Rizzuto/BB, 12/BB, 13, 16, 16/BB, 17/BB, 19, 19/BB, 20 Loes SP, 20 Loes SP/BB, 21, 22 DiMaggio, 24/BB, 30, 32, 40, 40/BB, 42, 44, 45, 45/BB, 46/BB, 47/BB, 49 Sain/Error/BB, 50, 50/BB, 55, 56, 56/BB, 57 Lopat, 60/BB, 61, 61/BB, 65 Slaughter, 65 Slaughter/BB, 67 Reynolds, 67 Reynolds/BB, 69, 70, 71, 71/BB, 72/BB, 73/BB, 76, 76/BB, 78, 79, 79/BB, 80/BB, 89, 100, 101, 102, 103, 110, 119, 120, 121, 124, 129 Mize, 132, 136, 139, 145, 154, 157, 162, 164, 170, 171, 172, 174, 175 Martin, 177, 178, 181, 182, 183, 185, 186, 188, 193, 195 Minoso, 200, 202, 209, 212, 221, 222, 223, 240, 241, 242, 245, 250 Erskine, 258, 262, 263, 264, 265, 267, 276, 278, 282, 286, 288, 289, 298, 300, 301, 307, 307 Campos/Black Star, 315 Durocher, 318, 320, 321 Black, 323, 325, 326, 330, 336, 337, 341, 342 Labine, 346, 347 Adcock, 351 Dark, 352, 353, 355, 356, 357 Burgess, 358, 360, 362, 367, 370, 371, 373, 377, 378, 381, 383, 384 Crosetti, 385, 387, 391, 393, 394 Herman, 396 Williams, 397, 398, 399, 401, 402, 403, 405 and 406;

PSA VG/EX+ 4.5: 1 card, #6/BB;

PSA VG/EX 4: 7 cards, #'s 4/BB, 32/BB, 49 Sain/Correct/BB, 66 Roe, 72, 319 and 327.


ADDITION: To make this Master Set even more complete an original 1952 Topps Baseball 5-Cent wrapper is also included as part of this offering

1952 Topps Baseball Signed Near Set (319) Though the Topps company had made its first few cautious steps into the baseball trading card arena prior to the release of its 1952 masterpiece, the set represented in this lot is widely considered to be its coming out party and universally its most important. Charming, colorful artwork and a staggering cast of iconic characters further propel the issue to the top of collectors' wish lists, but only the most enterprising of hobbyists would dare to undertake the compilation of such a remarkable assemblage as we offer here.

Believed to be the most comprehensive assortment of signed 1952 Topps Baseball cards ever to surface at public auction, this lot features 319 of the set's 407-man roster in glorious autographed format. Though the costly Mickey Mantle is absent from the proceedings, fellow rookie Willie Mays makes an appearance, as do the tough Gil Hodges, previous season hero Bobby Thomson, "The Natural" Eddie Waitkus (5/10), Billy Martin, and Hall of Famers like Durocher, Herman, Lemon, Wilhelm and Wynn. All cards are slabbed "Authentic" by PSA, and average VG-EX in condition. Autographs range from 5/10 to 10/10, with the vast majority at the upper reaches of that scale. A unique opportunity for the collector looking for a challenge, or the dealer looking to cash in on the enormous break down value contained within.

Includes: Encapsulated - PSA/DNA Authentic: 319 cards, #'s 2 Runnels, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10 Rosen, 11 Rizzuto, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 Loes SP, 21, 22 DiMaggio, 23 Goodman, 24, 25, 26 Irvin, 27, 29 Kluszewski, 30, 31, 32, 33 Spahn, 34, 35, 36 Hodges, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49 Sain/Correct/BB, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 Lopat, 58, 59 Roberts, 60, 62, 63, 64, 65 Slaughter, 66 Roe, 67 Reynolds, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 88 Feller, 89, 90, 91 Schoendienst, 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108 Konstanty, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122 Jensen, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129 Mize, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 136, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151 Post, 153, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175 Martin, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190, 191 Berra, 192, 193, 194, 195 Minoso, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215 Bauer, 216 Ashburn, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227 Garagiola, 228, 229, 230, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243 Doby, 244, 245, 246 Kell, 247, 248, 249, 250 Erskine, 251, 254, 255, 256, 257 Avila, 258, 259, 260, 261 Mays, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268 Lemon, 269, 270, 271, 272 Garcia, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277 Wynn,278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 284, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308 Aloma, 309 Busby, 310 Metkovich, 313 Thomson, 315 Durocher, 316 Williams, 320 Rutherford, 321 Black, 324 hacker, 326, 327, 330, 332, 334, 335, 337, 338, 342 Labine, 343, 351 Dark, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357 Burgess, 361, 362, 364, 369 Groat, 370, 375, 384 Crosetti, 385, 389, 390, 392 Wilhelm, 394 Herman, 396 Williams, 399, 402, and 405.

1952 Coca-Cola Baseball Tips Complete Set (10) - #1 on the PSA Set Registry! If there were any two American institutions that were tailor-made for each other it is our National Pastime and Coca-Cola. What better way to fight off the hot summer sun cheering for your favorite team than with an ice-cold bottle of the beverage of choice of most Americans. The summer of '52 was an eventful year for baseball. Ted Williams played his last game in late April before leaving to serve his country in the Korean War. It was a year in which the Yankees didn't have the name "DiMaggio, J." in the batting order but "Mantle, M." would become a household name. The Boston Braves signed a young man from Mobile, Alabama name Henry Louis Aaron. That year, Coke used the slogan, "What you want is a Coke!" Maybe for rest of the country that was true, but youngsters in the New York area wanted one of 10 different approx. 3-1/2" x 7-1/2" baseball cards which offered a beloved member of one of the three New York teams and a season schedule on the front and hints for playing baseball on the back. This limited circulation resulted in this colorful edition to be an elusive acquisition for most modern day hobbyists. After over 50 years it has proven to be one of the most difficult regional issues for 21st Century collectors to acquire with few sets ever becoming available at public auction.

The 1952 Coca-Cola Baseball Tips edition was destined to become a scarce commodity. Their larger size, unique shape and thin card stock (plus a schedule that wasn't needed after October) were the three strikes that have paved the path to damage and ultimate destination in some trash can. Modern hobbyists have a limited supply of these colorful collectibles and there is an even lesser supply of examples known at the high end of the grading scale. To date, only 17 total examples have been graded NM-MT 8 with more than half of the offered set being comprised from that sparse population.

This set has earned a grade point average of 7.32 and ranks as the #1 Set on the PSA Set Registry. Eight of the ten cards are Pop-1, Pop-2 or Pop-3 with no known example grading higher. The set includes: Graded - PSA NM-MT 8: 6 cards, Hank Bauer, Gil Hodges, Ed Lopat, Don Mueller, Pee Wee Reese and Wes Westrum; PSA NM 7: 2 cards, Gil McDougald and Bobby Thomson/3rd Baseman; PSA EX-MT 6: 1 card, Carl Furillo; PSA EX 5: 1 card, Bobby Thomson/Hitting.

1924-25 C144 Champs Cigarettes Complete Set (60) - #3 on the SGC Set Registry! In the 1920's the National Hockey League (NHL) was still a young adolescent at the threshold of maturity. During that decade, the young league would double in size and the sport's popularity allowed the league to evolve into a association of thirty teams generating hundreds of millions of dollars annually. In 1924, Hockey was a very different sport and a quite a pivotal year it was. The season lasted a whole thirty games. The league included only six teams based out of Ottawa, Montreal (2 teams), Hamilton, Toronto, and Boston. The Boston Bruins were in their inaugural season and were the first team in the NHL from the U.S.A. A sign that the game wasn't completely different from today is that the champions that season didn't need to win a single game in the finals. The Montreal Canadians were simply declared champions due to a players strike. The "Tobacco Products Corporation of Canada Ltd.," based out of Hamilton Ontario stepped up to promote the growing sport and their "Champ's Cigarettes" brand with this series of tobacco insert cards which included players from only four teams. The line up does include hockey legends Francis "King" Clancy, Aurele Joliat, Howie Morenz and Georges Vezina.

This series holds a pivotal spot in the history of hockey card collectibles. The cards of players from Boston are the first to depict professional hockey players from America. The back of each card offers a brief biography of the player but the text is in English suggesting circulation in the U.S.A. As hockey was still growing in popularity in the U.S., this circulation could explain why today examples of "C144" cards are in very, very short supply. To assemble a complete set of fifty-nine subjects plus the very rare and desirable "Stanley Cup" card is a difficult challenge. Not only has our consignor met that challenge but has assembled an attractive representation of this scarce entry. The steps necessary in putting together this series is also evident in the fact that we have been able to find no like offering and believe this is the first C144 complete set of 60 cards to be offered at public auction!

This presentation holds a G.P.A. of 44.83 and currently ranks as the #3 set on the SGC Set Registry. Overall, the set is a middle grade prize with only one card assessed due to multiple creasing. Includes: Graded - SGC 60 EX 5: 8 cards, Andrews, Bouchard, Boucher, S. Cleghorn, Coutu, Green, M. Roach and Spyers; SGC 50 VG/EX 4: 24 cards, Broadbent, Burch, Cain, K. Clancy, O. Cleghorn, Connell, Cooper, Dennehy, Dinsmore, Dye, Forbes, Headley, Herberts, A. Joliat, Lowrey, McKinnon, D. Munro, Redding, Rothchilds, Schnarr, Skinner, Smith, Spring and G. Vezina; SGC 40 VG 3: 18 cards, Adams, Benedict, Berlinquette, Carroll, B. Corbeau, Day, Hitchman, Jackson, Mantha, McCaffrey, Mitchell, H. Morenz, Nighbor, Noble, O'Leary, Prodger, J. Roach and Scott; SGC 30 GD 2: 9 cards, Campbell, Finnigan, Fowler, Green, Holway, Langois, G. Munro, Randall and Stanley Cup; SGC 20 FR 1.5: 1 card, Boucher.

1894 N302 Mayo's Cut Plug Football Complete Set (35) - #4 on the SGC Set Registry! Modern American football is the offspring of various forms of a sport which has its origins dating back to medieval Europe. "Football," as Americans play it, was first introduced in the United States when teams representing Princeton and Rutgers Universities took to the field in 1869. Modern American football was established in the mid-1870's with a game played between Harvard University and McGill University. The teams operated under different styles of play with no universal style accepted by all colleges until the 1880's. With no professional leagues, college players were the leaders of the sport. Despite the formation of rules, football was a very violent game abundant with injuries. Over the next twenty years, college football saw significant growth in popularity. The fan base was widespread enough to justify P.H. Mayo Tobacco Works of Richmond, Virginia to circulate a roster of thirty-five different football Ivy League players representing Yale, Harvard and Princeton University teams for the tobacco firms' "Cut Plug" brand of tobacco. This is the first set exclusively devoted to football ever produced. For 19th century gridiron collectors this is, aside from a rare single entry here and there, pretty much all there is. The distinctive black borders and midnight colored backing helped diminish staining from the direct contact the cards had with their leafy roommate inside pouches and tins. Mayo did produce similar promotions for boxing and baseball fans.

Modern hobbyists find acquiring Mayo's to be enormously challenging, and a good argument is made for the football subjects being the most difficult. Of particular note within the series is the "Poe, Princeton" card who is believed to be a relative of author Edgar Allen Poe. But even more significant is the appearance of the most famous rarity in the entire football hobby. For a century he was simply known as "Anonymous." Passionate hobbyists would eventually identify the nameless face as John Dunlop of Harvard University. For some unexplained reason this card is particularly hard to find and remains a key and particularly highly prized treasure among football card enthusiasts. To date, SGC has only graded six examples. This set offers an attractive "Fair 1.5" example that some would say has been assessed on the conservative side.

This series is very hard to complete and few sets are ever made available at public auction. Going back an entire decade shows a mere handful have ever appeared in auction catalogs. To own a complete set of this series is a crowning touch to the most advanced football collections. The offered cards of Lea, Manahan, and McCrea equal the highest grade level known for those subjects. This set holds a GPA of 28.3 and currently ranks #4 on the SGC Set Registry. Includes: Graded - SGC 60 EX 5: 2 cards, Manahan and McCrea; SGC 50 VG/EX 4: 4 cards, Beale, Taylor, Waters and Wheeler; SGC 40 VG 3: 7 cards, Acton, Crowdis, Holly, Lea, Murphy, Stillman and Trenchard; SGC 30 GD 2: 4 cards, Barnett, Hickok, Morse, and Ward; SGC 20 FR 1.5: 10 cards, Adee, Anonymous/John Dunlop of Harvard, Beard, Brewer, Brown, Burt, Emmons, Greenway, Gouterman and Poe; SGC 10 PR 1: 6 cards, Armstrong, Grey, Mackie, Riggs, Thorne and Wrightington; SGC Authentic: 2 cards, Butterworth and Hinkey.

1932 Walker's Cleaners Green Bay Packers Premium Photographs Complete Set with Binder (27). The most storied team in professional football history captured its third straight league championship in 1931 behind the strong leadership of coach Curly Lambeau and the elite talent of four players who eventually landed a permanent spot in Canton's Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Here we present the "Holy Grail" of Green Bay Packers memorabilia, the 1932 Walker's Cleaners photograph premiums set. The 1931 Champs are presented on heavy cardboard stock, measuring at approximately 8 x 10" and splendidly displayed in the original "Walker Packer Series" folder (VG-EX,with a 6" tear fixed on the inside page). Demonstrating the intense scarcity of this historic piece of sports nostalgia, this is the first time a complete Walker's Packers set has been offered at public auction.

All twenty-seven pieces are included in this exceedingly rare collection, including the extremely tough E.L. "Curly" Lambeau (w/info sheet) photograph and others: Frank Baker (w/info sheet), Russ Sanders (w/info sheet), Wuert Englemann (w/info sheet), Hank Bruder (w/info sheet), Waldo Don Carlos, Roger Grove (w/info sheet), Mike Michalske, Milton Gantenbein, LaVerne Dilweg, Verne Lewellen, Red Dunn (w/info sheet), Johnny Blood McNally (w/info sheet), Jug Earp, Arnie Herber, Dick Stahlman (w/info sheet), Red Sleight, Rudy Comstock (w/info sheet), Jim Bowdoin, Hurdis McCrary, Bo Molenda, Cal Hubbard, Paul Fitzgibbon, Tom Nash (w/info sheet), Mule Wilson (w/info sheet), Whitey Woodin (w/info sheet, left side trimmed), and Nate Barragar.

For the sake of full disclosure, we note that the information sheet is affixed with transparent tape to the verso of the following images: Lambeau, Baker, Saunders, Englemann, Carlos, Lewellen, Dunn, Herber, Sleight, Comstock, Fitzgibbon, Nash, Wilson and the inside page of the binder. The typical light toning, and minor wrinkles are present on the interior images, while averaging an impressive EX in quality. Many advanced collectors have never even seen one example from this elusive issue, so we anticipate that this complete collection will turn the heads of not only serious gridiron collectors, but the majority of cultured experts from the sports collecting arena.

1957 Topps Bart Starr #119 SGC 96 Mint 9 - Pop 1-of-1 With None Higher! Bart Starr was such a tremendous talent that he defined the iconic Green Bay Packers World Championship teams of the 1960's. After his college days at the University of Alabama, he was picked in the seventeenth round of the 1956 draft and would be an integral part of Green Bay Packers history for most of the next forty years both as a player (1957-71) and head coach (1975-83). For sixteen seasons Starr was the quarterback extraordinaire for the powerhouse Green Bay Packers who led the green-and-gold in first two Super Bowl Championships in 1967 and 1968. He also earned "Most Valuable Player" honors in both games. He was the AP NFL Most Valuable Player in 1966 and appeared in four Pro Bowl games. When the dust settled on his illustrious career Starr had completed over 1,800 passes for almost 25,000 yards. His worthy induction into the Professional Football Hall of Fame came in 1977. With Starr as the leader on the field, the Packers won championships in 1961, 1962, and 1965 through 1967. He is still the only quarterback to lead his team to five championships, and he accomplished that in a seven year span.

Where Unitas is noted for playing in "The Greatest Game Ever Played," the historic meeting of the Colts and the Giants to establish N.F.L. supremacy in 1958, Starr is famous for the "Ice Bowl." This game was played in negative 48 degree wind chill temperatures, and has baffled onlookers as to how the players survived, not to mention how any team could concentrate enough to win the game. This historic contest took superior heart and determination, while coming down to a last-second quarterback sneak. Down 17-14, Starr's last second, one-yard run into the end zone gave Green Bay the win over the Dallas Cowboys. This was the Packers' second straight Super Bowl appearance, and victory.

Starr is one of a trio of Hall of Fame Quarterbacks who debut in the 1957 Topps edition. He is in stellar company with Unitas and Hornung as the greatest rookie "trinity" in the hobby for any sport. The offered card is a "Pop 1-of-1 With None Higher" condition rarity. Of the almost 150 examples submitted to SGC this is the only card the conservative eyes of SGC deemed a "96 Mint 9." The second finest behind this stand alone beauty are eight which have an 88 NM/MT 8 assessment. The centering on this card couldn't be more precise. The colors are vibrant and the surface glossy and blemish free. Each corner is as sharp as the other three. It has all the characteristics one wants in a Mint card. It is a gridiron treasure worthy of the champion it portrays.

1954 Hoyt Wilhelm New York Giants World Championship Ring. Twenty-nine years old when he debuted as a rookie with the 1952 New York Giants, Hoyt Wilhelm delivered a home run shot in his first career plate appearance and then never hit another for the remainder of his twenty-one season career. But it wasn't his bat that paved his path to the Hall of Fame, but rather one of the most untamable knuckleballs ever unleashed upon the Major Leagues. Wilhelm would go fifteen and three that first season, leading the National League in winning percentage, a feat he would repeat with a twelve and four record for 1954, the season he earned this ring as a member of the World Champion New York Giants.

The gorgeous symbol of baseball's highest team achievement is one of just a tiny supply to reach the auction block from the 1954 Giants, which stunned the sporting world with a sweep of the heavily-favored Cleveland Indians which came into the Series having won 111 games. "World Champions 1954" is announced at the edges of the ring's face, where a half-carat genuine brilliant-cut diamond rests at center. The left shank features the team logo and "1954" year, while the right features a miniature Polo Grounds and another announcement of the year of glory. Clearly engraved within the band is "Hoyt Wilhelm," sharing space with "Balfour 14k" stamping.

The ring survives in splendid, undamaged condition and measures to a size 11.5, with a gross weight of just over thirty-three grams.

1960 Pittsburgh Pirates World Championship Ring. Just months from celebrating its Golden Anniversary, the presented ring owes its existence to one of the most dramatic home runs in Major League history, a bottom of the ninth walk-off shot by Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski to provide the citizens of Pittsburgh with its first Championship in a quarter century. The ring's face provides a miniature Forbes Field, the site of Maz's heroics, and a single faux diamond at center. "Pittsburgh World Champions" traces the perimeter in raised lettering. The left shank features a team logo "P" and the words "George Detore, Scout" to identify the ring's presentee. "Pirates 1960" frames a miniature buccaneer at right shank. "Jostens 14K" is stamped at the interior of the band, which measures to a size 10.5. Condition is superb, with no flaws to note.

According to our auction database, the presented example marks just the second appearance of a 1960 Pirates ring upon the auction block in the past decade, so there is every reason to believe that the wait for another will be long. And lacking any indication that the storied franchise will end an eighteen-year streak of losing records anytime soon, it's a pretty safe bet they won't be making any new Pirates Championship rings for quite some time.

1976 Boston Celtics NBA Championship Ring Presented to Team Owner. It was an NBA Finals best remembered for the triple-overtime Game Five victory over the Western Conference Champion Phoenix Suns, a nail-biting marathon of a contest which teetered on the edge of a riot situation as fans attacked referee Richie Powers and turned over one of the scorer's tables. Characterized by alternating displays of brilliance and chaos, the event ranks among Boston Garden's most famous, and carried the hometown Celtics to within a Game Six victory of their thirteenth NBA title.

Consigned directly by the son of team owner Irving Levin, the presented ring is one of just a tiny handful from this memorable Championship to surface in the collecting market. The fourteen-karat gold symbol of excellence announces "NBA World Champions" on the face, with a replacement faux diamond at center. The left shank is dominated by the NBA logo, framed by text reading "1976" and "Teamwork." A trophy listing the many Celtics Championships commands the right shank, encircled by "Levin, Boston Celtics, Pride."

The fourteen-karat gold artifact measures to a size eleven and presents exceptionally with light wear.

1983 Mike Schmidt Silver Slugger Award. The Philadelphia Phillies would celebrate the club's centennial in 1983, opening to a public vote the question of which player was the franchise's all-time greatest. Outpacing the likes of Chuck Klein and Robin Roberts, slugging superstar Mike Schmidt tallied the greatest number of ballots. At the close of the season, punctuated by the second National League pennant during Schmidt's tenure, he would be honored again, earning his fourth of eight consecutive Silver Slugger recognizing Schmidt as the best offensive third baseman in the Senior Circuit.

Here we find the award in question, presented by leading bat manufacturer Hillerich & Bradsby/ Louisville Slugger. The design pairs a full-sized silver bat with a wooden stand and engraved plaques, celebrating the presenter and recipient of this elite honor. "Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Silver Slugger Award," it announces, "Presented to Mike Schmidt - 3B, Philadelphia, Member of The Sporting News National League Offensive Team." The recipients at other positions are listed below, including notables Andre Dawson, Dale Murphy and Fernando Valenzuela.

The large and impressive award presents very well, with only light handling wear to note. Please note that due to the size of the award, third party shipping will be required.

1990's Johnny Bench "Babe Ruth Crown" Award. From a standpoint of pure aesthetics, this might be our favorite baseball award of all, a regal lifetime achievement award presented in honor of Baltimore's favorite baseball son by the Maryland Professional Baseball Players Association. The honor was created in 1956, at which point it was presented to the player with the highest slugging percentage. Originally called "The Sultan of Swat Award," its recipients read like a who's who of long ball legends: Mantle, Aaron, Williams, Mays, Banks. In later years, along with the shift in terminology, the award would come to be presented to retired ballplayers instead, still honoring the elite power hitter which its namesake exemplified.

This striking royal relic is the prize presented to the Big Red Machine's Johnny Bench, who redefined the role of catcher as offensive standard-bearer to pave the way for fellow future Hall of Famers like Carlton Fisk and Mike Piazza. Six baseball diamonds rise from the golden headband which encircles a crushed red velvet center, the emblem of the Maryland Professional Baseball Players Association applied to the diamond at front. Just below, raised and engraved text announce "Babe Ruth Crown Presented to Johnny Bench For Outstanding Batting Achievement, Maryland Professional Baseball Players Association."

Engraved text on verso elaborates on the theme, recounting the legendary Red's career highlights: N.L. M.V.P. 1970, 1972, Gold Glove Award 1968 thru 1977, N.L. Rookie of the Year 1968, B.A. .267, Hits 2048, Doubles 381, Triples 24, H.R. 289, Runs 1091, World Series M.V.P. 1976, 12 All Star Games, Hall of Fame 1989."

Condition is superb, with no flaws worthy of note.

1991-99 Atlanta Braves National League & World Championship Rings Lot of Five. With the greatest assemblage of pitching talent sharing a single dugout since the Cleveland Indians teams of the 1950's, the Atlanta Braves established itself as the National League's reigning force during the 1990's, claiming five pennants and a World Championship during that remarkable dynasty. A fistful of shimmering mementos from its decade of dominance is presented here, a virtual treasure chest compiled by Braves senior director of promotions and civic affairs Miles McCrea, whose name appears on the left shank of each size 10.5 ring. Each is stamped "Jostens 10K" at interior band. All remain in pristine condition.

(1) 1991 National League Champions. Diamond-studded logo "A" on a red stone at face, with text "1991 Braves National League Champions." Right shank reads "Worst to First, 1991 World Series, Tomahawk Chop."
(2) 1992 National League Champions. Diamond-studded baseball design on face with text "1992 Braves National League Champions." Right shank reads "Back to Back 91 92, National League Champions Braves, 98-64, 3,077,400." Includes rare hinged wooden presentation box.
(3) 1995 World Champions. Large diamond set in blue stone encircled by smaller diamonds on face with text "1995 Atlanta Braves World Champions." Right shank reads "Team of the 90s, 1995 World Champions."
(4) 1996 National League Champions. "Braves" logo on face rests upon bed of small diamonds. Red rubies at each corner of face, framing words "Atlanta N.L. Champs." Right shank reads "1996 Five Straight League Championship Series, 4 Out Of 5 World Series." Includes rare hinged wooden presentation box.
(5) 1999 National League Champions. Diamond-studded logo "A" set in blue stone on face. Five diamonds in outer perimeter of face, with text "1999 National League Champions." Right shank reads "860-532, 91, 92, 95, 96, 99, 8 Straight Division Titles."

1995 Houston Rockets NBA Championship Ring Presented to Tim Breaux. Houston had no problem this season, with coach Rudy Tomjanovich leading a squad anchored by Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde "The Glide" Drexler to a four-game sweep of Shaquille O'Neal's Orlando Magic in the NBA Finals. Here we offer the actual Championship ring presented to rookie forward Tim Breaux for his services off the bench in helping to launch the Rockets to the pinnacle of the sport.

The twin diamond-studded miniature Larry O'Brien Trophies on the ring's face recall the franchise's consecutive seasons of NBA dominance, with raised text tracing the perimeter: "Rockets World Champions 94-95." A team logo in a heart is centered on the left shank, between text reading "Breaux 15." Right shank features an NBA logo and the words "Back 2 Back, Believe it Again!" Interior of band, which measures to a size 11.5, is stamped "Intergold 14K."

The ring remains in pristine condition, housed in its original hinged wooden display case, engraved with a team logo on the lid and featuring an inset engraved plaque inside reading "Houston Rockets, Tim Breaux, 1995 NBA World Champions."

1996 Roberto Alomar Gold Glove Award. A likely candidate for Baseball Hall of Fame induction if not for some unfortunate incidents during his stellar playing career, Alomar should be considered a strong investment candidate for those baseball purists believing it should all be about the numbers. And Alomar's were outstanding, winning four Silver Sluggers along with a ten Gold Gloves (leading all second basemen), one of which is presented here.

The instantly recognizable Award presented by leading glove manufacturer "Rawlings" was the Baltimore Oriole's sixth, earned for a season in which he posted a stellar .985 fielding percentage while registering 279 put outs and 445 assists. His smiling face appears on the central base supporting the eponymous Gold Glove, framed by a pair of golden baseballs. The plaque on the base is engraved "1996 Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Presented to Roberto Alomar, Honoring His Selection As The Finest in the Field!"

The trophy remains in splendid, undamaged condition, matching its unbeatable aesthetics and historical relevance.

1998 New York Yankees World Championship Ring. Second only to the 1927 edition in the estimation of most baseball historians, the 1998 New York Yankees completed their four-game World Series sweep of the San Diego Padres to achieve a final record of 125-50, inclusive of their postseason victories. While the ballclub was not as thick with Hall of Fame talent as the current incarnation, fan favorites like Tino, Bernie, Brosius, and O'Neill proved to form the most effective line-up of the modern dynasty, earning Bronx immortality. Presented is the ultimate symbol of that age of utter domination, a genuine World Championship ring presented to a front office staffer, complete with its original wooden display box.

The ten karat gold trinket features genuine diamonds studding the Yankees logo "NY" on the ring face, set within an oval blue stone encircled by still more diamonds. "1998 World Champions" follows the perimeter in raised lettering. Original recipient "Ferrentino" and the word "Tradition" frame a miniature Stadium and Series trophy on the left shank, while the right boasts of the remarkable win/lost record with the words "Best Ever" framing a Yankees hat and bat logo. "Balfour 10K" stamping appears at the band's interior, which measures between size 10 and 10.5. An included letter from PSA/DNA attests to the ring's gold and diamond content, and to its authenticity.

2000 World Series New York Yankees Commissioner's Trophy. Not since 1956, a Fall Classic best remembered for Don Larsen's Game Five perfecto, had the World Series been fully accessible to riders on the New York City metro, but in 2000 the stars aligned for the fourteenth "Subway Series" in Major League history. All Big Apple baseball fans will recall the tense battle for supremacy between the National League Mets and American League Yankees with either despair or delight, but this ultimate symbol of baseball excellence is provided for the latter.

With an elegant aesthetic worthy of its Tiffany & Co. creators, this twenty-four inch tall prize is far more rare than the Championship ring or twelve-inch trophy provided to players and front office staff. We could safely assume that the Boss, George Steinbrenner, owns one of these oversized spoils of war, and perhaps Joe Torre, but it is our understanding that you could count all examples that exist on your fingers. The weighty silver base is polished to a mirror finish, and engraved with the words "2000 World Series Championship," text which is repeated on the underside of the base. A smaller central golden ring announces "Presented by the Commissioner of Baseball." Golden pennants on silver posts rise to two feet in height, surrounding a large baseball in three dimensions at center.

Any Yankees fan who can't imagine a perfect spot in his home or office for this stunning remembrance of the most glorious season since Mantle should turn in his pinstripes. Please note that, due to the weight and delicate nature of the trophy, third party shipping is required.

2006 St. Louis Cardinals World Championship Ring. Ending the team's longest World Series drought since defeating Babe Ruth's Bronx Bombers in 1926, the red birds earned their tenth World Championship (and their first since 1982) after a dominant five-game performance against the American League pennant-winning Detroit Tigers. Here we find the ultimate symbol of baseball's highest achievement, a stunning and massive Championship ring presented to a member of the Cardinals front office staff.

Identical in style to the one presented to future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, this regal creation instantly draws the eye with forty fancy-cut rubies forming the Cardinals logo on a bed of 1.3 carats of genuine diamonds. "St. Louis Cardinals World Champions" decorates the perimeter of the face in bold raised lettering. The left shank features a Busch Stadium in miniature and the surname of the original presentee, Derek May, whose letter of provenance attends. Right shank features the birds and bat team logo, a miniature World Series trophy, and the words "2006, Tenth World Series Title." The interior of the enormous size 15.5 band is stamped "Intergold 10K."

Early 1910's Jim Thorpe Race Worn Carlisle Track Uniform. Born on May 28, 1887 to the daughter of the last great Sauk and Fox chief Black Hawk, a revered warrior and athlete, James Francis Thorpe was given the Indian name Wa-Tho-Huk, which translates to "Bright Path." It was a name that few would ever hear, but one that would prove to be perfectly fitting. The American political philosophy of Manifest Destiny had already decimated the population of Native Americans in our ever-expanding nation, and marginalized those who survived its brutality. Through this enforced segregation, Thorpe found his way to the Carlisle Industrial Indian School in rural Pennsylvania in 1904 at age sixteen. It was there that his phenomenal athletic career began, as a member of the school's track and football teams, and that he fell under the tutelage of gridiron legend Glenn "Pop" Warner during eight years on campus. The pieces that would construct Thorpe's immortality started to fall into place.

While the legend of Jim Thorpe began to grow within the collegiate athletic world during the later years of the twentieth century's first decade, it was 1912 that saw his conversion to international superstar. At the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games, a twenty-four year old Thorpe dominated the pentathlon and decathlon, earning Gold in each and his proudest compliment from King Gustav of Sweden, who said to him, "Sir, you are the greatest athlete in the world. I would consider it an honor to shake your hand." Thorpe's reply: "Thanks, King."

Presented for the first time upon the hobby's auction block is an extraordinary track and field uniform worn at Carlisle by Thorpe late in his collegiate career, near the time of his Hall of Fame glory. Though Thorpe would continue on to professional careers in both football and baseball, the relevance of a track uniform outweighs any attributed to Thorpe from these sports, though only a few exist from any athletic endeavor. We are confident in the assertion that this stands as the only confirmed Thorpe track and field uniform surviving to this day, and it is accompanied by extensive photographic documentation picturing the Native American super-athlete wearing this outfit or one identical to it.

The uniquely tailored wool tank top jersey provides a period "A.G. Spalding & Bros." label at interior collar and a distinctively constructed red letter "C" on the chest. Sewn at the interior hem is a size "44" indicator and a 1.5" swatch to the right with a faintly stamped "Thorpe" applied in orange block lettering. The matching shorts cannot be definitively attributed to Thorpe due to a lack of identifiers, but the size "30" specimen with matching "Spalding" labeling is precise in its aesthetics to those Thorpe is wearing in the provided photographs. Both pieces survive their century of retirement with remarkable aplomb, with no significant flaws to note.

The uniform derives from the finest track and field collection known to exist, sold to our consignor by the son of the original collector after his passing. The "Bullet Bob" Hayes uniform presented within this auction likewise originates from this collection. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1943 Johnny Longden Race Used Whip from Kentucky Derby Victory on Count Fleet. Ranked number five by Blood-Horse Magazine's list of the Top 100 U.S. Thoroughbred Champions of the Twentieth Century, Count Fleet was sired by 1928 Kentucky Derby winner Reigh Count, and owned by the wife of John D. Hertz of rental car fame. Hertz was initially unimpressed by the young colt and considered selling him until Longden convinced him to be patient, confident that the horse would mature into a Champion.

Longden's prediction proved to be pure genius, as the Hall of Fame jockey would pilot the three-year old thoroughbred to victories in the 1942 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes (the final race by an incredible twenty-five lengths) to become the sixth Triple Crown winner in U.S. history.

Here we present Longden's whip used to propel the 1943 American Horse of the Year to the winner's circle in the first and most prestigious of the Triple Crown contests. Measuring twenty-seven inches in length, the whip is crafted from intricately woven leather and twine and represents one of the most noteworthy relics from The Sport of Kings to appear on the auction block in recent memory. Provenance is supplied in the form of a May 19, 1960 handwritten letter from Longden's second wife Hazel who writes "This is the whip Mr. Longden had when he won the Kentucky Derby on Count Fleet in 1940, Sincerely H. Longden." Included is the original May 18, 1960 postmarked package in which it was mailed from "J. Longden" to "Auction Booth" in Santa Ana, California.

1960 Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) Handwritten Signed Letter. One of a kind correspondence was consigned to Heritage by the recipient of the letter, a close friend of the talented young boxer from Louisville a half century ago. Still years from his conversion to Islam and corresponding name change, the eighteen-year old fighting phenom was training for his upcoming Gold Medal performance in the 1960 Rome Olympics at the time he penned this note to his buddy. The content is dazzling:

"Hello Mel, I hope this letter finds you and your family well, I am here at Fort Dix getting ready for Rome, I am in the best of shape, I hope to soon be home with the world Championship soon, I am still hitting hard, Say look at here, We leave here on the 14 of august, so try to write me before then and send me Connie address will you, and try to get a picture of here, I stil dig her, so find here and let here know that I am still talking about here, get that picture man, 'please' I will send her and you a card from Rome Itly, Stay in training and you can't miss, tell all of the boys that I said hello, don't let me down about Connie, Your Fighting Friend, Cassius Clay, U.S. Champ."

The single trimmed sheet of lined notebook paper exhibits original mailing folds but no other flaws worthy of mention. Also included is the original mailing envelope, featuring the return address "Cassius M. Clay, c/o Special Service, U.S. Olympic Boxing team, Building 5434 Fort Dix, N.J." A signed letter of provenance from the recipient (whose name is blurred in catalog imagery but not in actual documents) is included.

Clay's Gold Medal performance in the Light Heavyweight division at the 1960 Rome Olympics is typically considered the opening salvo in one of the most storied careers in American sports. It would be the last great victory of Clay's amateur career, setting the stage for increasingly more lucrative bouts leading up to his historic 1964 first meeting with Sonny Liston, from whom he would claim the Heavyweight Championship belt. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.

1964 "Bullet Bob" Hayes Summer Olympics Race Worn Uniform. Considered one of the greatest receivers ever to wear the Lone Star of the Dallas Cowboys, Hayes served as Roger Staubach's favorite deep target for a full decade following his seventh round pick in the 1964 NFL draft. The draft choice had been a controversial one from the start, with many questioning whether world class sprinting ability was enough to offset Hayes' admittedly unrefined football skills, but those doubts evaporated quickly as Hayes tore through opposing defenses to lead the NFL in reception yardage each of his first two seasons. Many credit Hayes' remarkable speed with the development of the zone defense and the bump and run in attempts to contain him.

Surely the professional football world was paying close attention to Hayes as he wore the presented uniform while representing the United States at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Games, and his performance leaves little mystery as to the reason for his appearance in the 1965 Cowboys huddle. His 10.06 second time in the 100m sprint represented the fasted time ever posted in competition, as did the 39.06 result for the 4x100m relay which earned Hayes his second Gold of the Games.

The blue durene tank top jersey worn in Hayes' last track and field competition features a red and white tackle twill "USA" on the chest and a white cotton placard below emblazoned with his "702" athlete number. Every aspect matches photography from the event to the smallest detail. The same can be said for the matching warm-up jacket worn on the medal stand. Sewn to the interior zipper path is a swatch with Hayes' factory stamped number "702" and "Wilson [size] 40" labeling.

The spiked white and blue "Adidas" sprinting shoes included in this lot exhibit fine wear from earlier competition, but Hayes inadvertently left one behind on his way to the race and was forced to rewrite history in a borrowed pair. Each is stamped "Hayes" inside along with a size "10 1/2" designation. The included shorts are 1964 Olympic team issue, but cannot be definitively attributed to Hayes. Here they serve solely to complete an impressive display honoring the 2009 Pro Football Hall of Fame posthumous inductee. LOA from Heritage Auctions.

1973 Ken Norton NABF Heavyweight Championship Belt Awarded for Defeating Muhammad Ali. It took ninety minutes for a doctor to wire Muhammad Ali's jaw back together on the evening of March 31st, 1973, surely a period of painful rumination for the former Heavyweight Champ who had just surrendered his belt to a longshot underdog who had just supplied "The Greatest" with the second of his five career defeats. In many ways the result had been a sobering reflection of Ali's improbable 1964 defeat of Sonny Liston to earn his own first belt, stunning the gambling world far more than the man left with his hand raised at the end of the bout. Norton would explain to the press clamoring for an interview with the new Champ, "I knew I would beat him because mentally I felt that way and my whole camp felt that way. I felt at that time I could've beat Godzilla."

Though Ali would avenge the split decision loss six months later, and claim the three-bout series with another victory in September of 1976, the first Ali/Norton bout, known to history as "The Broken Jaw Fight," remains unquestionably the most highly regarded of the three. The opinion has as much to do with Ali's incredible bravery in soldiering on after his jaw snapped just two rounds into the twelve-round contest as it does in Norton's brilliant, unexpected performance. Ali's Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee had wanted to stop the fight after the second round, but Ali was insistent. "He said, 'No, I can beat this sucker. He won't touch my jaw,'" Dundee remembered. But Ali had been wrong as Norton punished the Louisville Lip to begin his six month reign as North American Boxing Federation Heavyweight Champ.

Presented is the ultimate symbol of this historic bout, the Championship belt presented to Norton for his jaw-snapping defeat of Muhammad Ali. It would be foolishly optimistic to imagine that we might ever see the Heavyweight boxing ranks return to the level of greatness witnessed during the decade of the 1970's, an era populated with giants of the sport like Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, and Holmes. Almost never has the opportunity arisen to own a belt belonging to one of these Hall of Fame legends, and none has been directly attributable to a more memorable bout.

The majestic symbol of boxing's highest achievement is crafted from heavy gold-colored metal and red leather, the former crafted into images of crowns, boxers, and a soaring eagle. A small photographic portrait of the new Champ appears at center, ringed by the words "N.A.B.F. Heavyweight Champion 1973." Text above reads "Champion-Ken Norton defeated Muhammad Ali via 12 round decision for the Heavyweight Championship of North America N.A.B.F. March 31, 1973, San Diego Sports Arena, San Diego, CA, USA." Some wear is evident to the edges of the golden plates and the leather, but nothing which causes any significant distraction. The back of the belt is autographed by Norton in 10/10 black sharpie.

1992 Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Race Worn & Signed Fire Suit. Think that auto racing isn't a sport? One look at the presented fire suit might just change your mind. The wear to the fire-resistant fabric of this one-piece jumpsuit is just enormous, with extensive fabric pilling illustrating that the friction of heavy G-forces is not for sissies. In fact, of all of the athletic garments presented for sale in this Platinum Night auction, none could match the presented specimen for intensity of wear.

With an afternoon of photo research, the Heritage staff was able to locate an exact match to the suit, snapped on May 24, 1992 in Concord, North Carolina as The Intimidator poses in Victory Lane with his two sons after winning the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Interested parties can view this image by visiting www.gettyimages.com and entering number 83547623 into the search field. The suit almost assuredly saw further action this racing season as it would be hard to believe that a single afternoon's driving could account for the heavy wear.

The unique constellation of sponsor patches provides the key to our photo matching, and Earnhardt supporters Winston, McDonalds, General Motors, Goodyear, and AC Delco all share colorful space on the suit's chest, where a black sharpie autograph from the fallen speedster rates a 9/10. It's the cherry on top for one of the most desirable NASCAR artifacts ever to reach the public auction block. Earnhardt's illustrious career and the tragic nature of his death on one of motorsports' most storied stages ensures that the Number Three car will be remembered for decades to come, and that this important collectible will maintain its status among the hobby's great treasures. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1998 Derek Jeter "Making the Tag" Original Artwork by Stephen Holland. Arresting work is instantly identifiable as that of Stephen Holland, the widely collected painter recognized as the 1993 Sports Artist of the Year by The American Sport Art Museum and Archives. Chances are good that you've seen prints and giclées of this spectacular image, which captures the future Hall of Fame shortstop for the New York Yankees applying a tag during the unforgettable 1998 World Championship season. But this is no limited edition reproduction--it's the genuine article.

The oil on board creation measures to a bold 48 x 51" in size, with the simple black and gold frame extending each dimension by four inches. Though impressionistic in style, the work doesn't skimp on the details, making sure that the proper Rawlings tag on Jeter's glove and the MLB logo on the back of the baserunner's helmet are proper in color and design. Holland adds a collage aspect to the work as well, infusing the thickly applied oil paint with colorful scraps of newsprint, reminiscent of the Post and News back page articles which have pictured the beloved Yankee hundreds of times over the past decade and a half.

Holland's pencil signature is subtly applied to the upper left quadrant of the painting, with Jeter's black sharpie offering placed near his right foot. An MLB holographic authentication sticker attests to the legitimacy of the latter. A gallery letter affixed to the back of the frame provides documentation for the artwork itself. Holographic authenticating sticker from MLB (autograph). Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

2001 Tiger Woods Match Used & Signed Golf Bag. It's been said that that which does not kill us only makes us stronger, so one could only imagine what lies in store for modern golf's most decorated professional after the year he had endured. Though Tiger's indiscretions have proved costly in many regards, with lost endorsements and what is certain to be a record-setting divorce settlement, collectors of Woods memorabilia must draw a distinct line between issues of marital infidelity and those directly related to athletic performance, such as the steroid scandal of Major League Baseball. It is likely that the market for Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, and Roger Clemens will be never fully recover, but Tiger falls in with the camp of Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe, each largely forgiven by public opinion if not by the governing body of their sport, remaining highly collectible for the brilliance of their accomplishments and arguably even more popular for their controversial notoriety.

It's a long-winded way of stating a fact which remains obvious to the cultured collector, that Tiger Woods is still the man to beat, both on the links and at the auction block. And you'll rarely encounter a piece more desirable than this, a high-quality personal model golf back used by the young superstar in a 2001 Buick Pro-Am charity fundraiser in 2001 and signed by Woods at the time. The attractive black, white and red leather bag has never been available in a retail capacity and is highly customized to Woods' personal preferences, with "Tiger Woods" embroidered in block lettering on the back pocket above a facsimile signature and the "Buick Golf" logo. "Tiger Woods" is embroidered a second time on the underside of the bag. The thirty-four inch tall veteran of the course exhibits definite use from its time with golf's greatest drawing card, whose enormous black sharpie signature on the side panel survives with NRMT boldness.

Included is a letter of provenance from the son of an executive at McCann-Erickson Advertising, the firm which has created Buick ads since 1958. The executive received the bag as a parting gift upon his departure from the firm. A full letter of authenticity from James Spence for the Woods autograph attends. Due to the size of the piece, third party shipping is required. NOTE: Our consignor believes this bag was used for several tournaments during the historic "Tiger Slam" season. Golfers typically use few bags each year, lending credence to this supposition. Letter of provenance from son of advertising executive. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).