Heritage Auctions Search

Skip to main content

Go to accessibility options

1954 Mickey Mantle Game Worn Jersey. It was Groundhog's Day, 1954. While an expectant nation awaited the forecast on the arrival of Spring from a rodent in Pennsylvania, Mickey Mantle was making his own preparations for the coming thaw, hoping that the operation to remove a cyst from behind his right knee might do something to ameliorate the pain that had plagued him since his injury in Game Two of the 1951 World Series. The Yankees had posted their fifth consecutive World Series victory four months earlier and there seemed to be no end in sight for the team's winning ways. But the twenty-two year old Mick knew he was instrumental to his ballclub's chances, and if he could finally get that knee working the way it was supposed to, there would be no stopping the Yankees.

In the end, the surgery ended up being a limited success, but Mantle was of tough Midwestern stock and fought through the pain bravely, as he would continue to do for his entire career. And the Hall of Fame numbers continued to mount. In 1954, Mickey improved upon all of his batting stats from the previous season, posting an even .300 average with twenty-seven home runs. His 102 runs batted in marked the first season in which he would reach the triple-digit mark, a feat he would accomplish just four times in his storied career. And his 129 runs scored led the league by a considerable margin, with Minnie Minoso taking the silver with ten fewer. Injured or not, Mantle was still one of the game's biggest stars in 1954.

This historic road grey flannel represents one of the very few Mantle jerseys still available for public sale, and one of the earliest known to exist. We instruct those who idolize Mickey but may not be schooled in the collecting hobby that players at this time were issued only two home and two road jerseys per season, and the fine wear is appropriate for an estimated forty games of use. Pick any road event from the 1954 season, and there's a 50/50 chance that Mickey was spor
Auction 702 | Lot: 19683 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1952 Bowman Large Football High-Grade Complete Set (144). An absolutely exceptional set that would immediately crack the top five of PSA's set registry if the winning bidder chose to slab the remainder of the raw cards here. Many collectors consider this the most beautiful of all football issues, and when you pair this adoration with the intense rarity of the cards, it's no wonder why it tops so many hobbyists' wish lists. As rare as these cards are in general, the occurrence of a complete set is even more remarkable. Those cards with numbers divisible by nine (9, 18, 27, etc.), and those a single digit higher than these cards (10, 19, 28, etc.) were printed in a painfully short run, and carry a significant premium as a result. Furthermore, the final card in the set (144 Lansford) suffered tremendously from his placement at the bottom right corner of the printed sheets, subject to disproportionate wear and poor cuts. The problems were so severe that many were discarded prior to packaging at the factory, making this card among the rarest in the hobby, particularly in strong condition. Our PSA 8 representation has only been topped twice in the history of the grading company. Important rookies include Paul Brown, Christiansen, Donovan, Gifford, Halas, Lary, Marchetti, Matson, McElhenny and Robustelli. A total of forty-seven cards have been graded by PSA, which add up to nearly $20,000 in SMR value. Graded cards, PSA NM-MT 8: forty cards with 2 Graham, 3 Walker, 10 Bednarik, 19 Connor, 21, 22, 28 Rote, 29 McElhenney, 30 Baugh, 34, 37 Hirsch, 39 Tunnell, 42, 44, 46 Donovan, 48 Halas, 58, 59, 68, 76, 78 Layne, 88, 93, 98, 106, 108 SP, 112, 113, 115, 118 SP, 121, 122, 125 Nomellini, 126 SP, 128 Lavelli, 129 Christiansen, 132, 137 Waterfield, 139, 144 Lansford. PSA NM 7: four cards with 16 Gifford, 17 Tittle, 32, 142 Landry. PSA EX-MT 6: three cards with 1 VanBrocklin (presents NM-MT with small surface crease on verso), 86, 99 Stydahar. Ungraded cards include 4 Owen (NM), 12 Trippi
Auction 702 | Lot: 19433 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1909-11 T206 White Border Near Complete Set (520) Minus the Big Three. What takes those intrepid few collectors months and years to assemble could be accomplished here with a single bid, as we offer this rare opportunity to acquire the hobby's first great set without the laborious searching. A whopping total of 233 cards have been graded by PSA. Graded Cards, PSA NM-MT 8: Four cards. PSA NM 7: Eight cards w/ Tinker (Portrait), Donlin (Fielding), Clarke (Bat). PSA EX-MT 6: Twenty-nine cards w/ Chance (Yellow Port), Evers (Port), Keeler (Port). PSA EX 5: Forty-six cards w/ Bender (Port), Brown (Cubs), Crawford (Bat), Griffith (Port), Huggins (Port), Joss (Port), Lajoie (Bat), Waddell (Port), Young (Port). PSA VG-EX 4: 127 cards w/ Beckley, Bender (Trees in Back), Bresnahan (Port), Bresnahan (Bat), Brown (Chicago), Chance (Red Port), Chase (Dark Cap), Chase (White Cap), Chesbro, Cicotte, Collins (Phila), Crawford (Throw), Evers (Chicago), Evers (Cubs(MC)), Griffith (Bat), Jennings (Port), Jennings (One Hand), Jennings (Two Hands), Johnson (Portrait), Johnson (Chest), Keeler (Bat), Marquard (Port), Mathewson (Dark Cap), McGinnity, McGraw (Hip), McGraw (Air), O'Hara (St. Louis(MC)), Smith (Chi & Bos), Speaker, Tinker (Bat Off), Walsh, Wheat, Willis (Bat), Young (Bare Hand). PSA VG 3: Nineteen cards w/ Brown (Port), Demmitt (St. Louis), Elberfeld (Wash, Port), Huggins (Mouth), Joss (Pitch), Lajoie (Throw), Marquard (Pitch), Mathewson (Port), McGraw (Port, No Cap), Tinker (Bat On), Waddell (Throw), Young (Glove).

Auction 702 | Lot: 19502 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1953 Bowman Baseball Color High-Grade Near Set (141/160). The first set of contemporary Major League players to feature color photography, this set marks a major milestone in the history of collectible cardboard and remains one of the most popular issues of the post-war era. With the demand for high-grade singles from this set so intense, it's particularly rare to see an offering of such volume and quality. Break down value here is just tremendous. A total of thirty-one cards have been graded by PSA which add up in excess of $14,500 in SMR value, and the vast majority of the raw cards are entirely worthy of slabbing. Graded cards, PSA Mint 9: 45 Dropo. PSA NM-MT 8: twenty-two cards with 10 Ashburn, 14, 24, 27, 39, 43, 51 Irvin, 54, 70, 76, 80 Kiner, 82, 84, 93 Rizzuto/Martin, 97 Mathews, 99 Spahn, 103, 109, 118 Martin, 129, 131, 160 Abrams. PSA NM 7: eight cards with 18 Fox, 33 Reese, 44 Berra/Bauer/Mantle, 46 Campanella, 62, 92 Hodges, 108, 156. Ungraded cards include 1 Williams (NM), 9 Rizzuto (EX). Missing: nineteen cards with 32 Musial, 57 Boudreau, 59 Mantle, 114 Feller, 116, 117 Snider, 120, 121 Berra, 123, 129, 130, 132, 136, 140, 143, 145, 146 Wynn, 148, 153 Ford. Grades 35% NM to NM-MT, 45% EX-MT, 20% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19565 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1954 Warren Spahn Game Worn Jersey. He's the number six man on the career wins ladder, and figures to remain as such unless Roger Clemens has two more good seasons in him. Spahn's figure of 363 victories has never been topped in the Live Ball era, and as of today there is not a pitcher within thirty games of the southpaw Braves ace who didn't register at least the vast majority of his wins prior to 1920. This fact becomes all the more remarkable when considering that Spahn left for World War II combat, experiencing the fiercest of fighting at the Battle of the Bulge, after appearing in only four games in 1942. He wouldn't post his first career victory until 1946, when he was twenty-five years old. Like the Rocket that tails him, Spahn not only had longevity, but tremendous quality in that longevity. Stan Musial once joked that Spahn would never make it into the Hall of Fame. "He'll never stop pitching," he explained.

Considered by most uniform collectors as the most aesthetically impressive style in post-war baseball fashion, this jersey commands attention even before the number "21" on front and verso reminds the observer just who it was that once wore it. The scripted black and red felt "Braves" gives way to a gorgeously rendered tomahawk on the chest, with the zipper front keeping the design tight and complete. The Indian head patch is a masterpiece of design on the left sleeve that housed Spahn's million-dollar throwing arm. The front left tail houses the proper "Wilson [size] 42" and cleaning instruction labels, which frame a white felt swatch with red chain stitched "Spahn 54," all details of which match exactly to other known Braves jerseys from this season. Wear is clearly evident from appearances at such ballparks as Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds and Wrigley during a season that saw him win twenty-one games against just twelve losses. Breaking tradition from most of the flannels we see from this era, there is not a single incident of damage, be it st
Auction 702 | Lot: 19682 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1970 Hank Aaron Game Worn Jersey. Though Aaron is certainly best known for his monstrous 755 career home run total, we should not ignore the fact that this gold medal slugger has a key to the 3,000 Hits clubhouse as well. In fact, Hammerin' Hank stroked number 3,000 on May 17, 1970 at Crosley Field (he hit his 570th career home run later in that game too). Understanding that even superstars like Aaron only received two home and two road jerseys for use each season, it doesn't take a mathematician to conclude that it's a 50/50 chance that this is the jersey he was wearing that day. We also must conclude that approximately one quarter of Aaron's thirty-eight home runs in 1970 were stuck with this jersey on his back, so this grey flannel Atlanta Braves roadster definitely looks fantastic on paper. Fine wear to this important relic is perhaps most notable in the gentle ribbing of the blue and red tackle twill "Braves" script on the chest, symptomatic of the effects of the salt in Aaron's sweat. The same holds true for the since-retired number "44" on verso. Terrifying Indian head patch on left sleeve. Embroidered swatch inside collar reads, "40 Set 1 70," while tail houses three tags: "Spalding, 40, washing instructions." A perfect black sharpie signature from Aaron leaves this spectacular piece lacking absolutely nothing. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/ SCD Authentic.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19691 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1960-61 Yogi Berra Game Worn Catcher's Mitt. When the young Berra returned from combat in World War II, where he had served on a rocket boat that capsized off Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, the Yankees quickly snapped up the stocky young backstop. Though he served as admirably in his early years in pinstripes as he had in the uniform of the United States military, his predecessor behind the plate remained unconvinced. "Right now, Berra does about everything wrong," Hall of Famer Bill Dickey explained, "but Casey Stengel warned me about that. The main thing is he has speed and agility behind the plate and a strong enough arm. He just needs to be taught to throw properly. I know he can hit. I'd say Berra has the makings of a good catcher. I won't say great, but certainly a good one."

Clearly hindsight is twenty-twenty, and Dickey happily ate those words long before the three-time American League M.V.P. headed to the plate with this mitt on his left hand. An integral part of the machinery that brought an incredible ten World Championships to the Bronx, Yogi excelled both behind and beside the plate, and though his catching duties had largely been turned over to the great Elston Howard as of the time he used this mitt, the strong use suggests that this was Berra's one and only gamer in the seventy-eight games for which he called the pitches during 1960 and 1961.

The "Spalding 1457 personal model EZ-Flex" mitt has been confirmed by noted glove expert Joe Phillips as proper both for the era and for Yogi specifically. Phillips notes that it was manufactured in 1960 and exhibits "considerable use," and that the lack of personal markings (Berra's name or number) is not surprising given the fact that Berra was the only Yankee catcher using "Spalding" brand leather (and his name was already stamped on the glove by the factory). In all major attributable regards, Phillips has found this glove to be characteristic of those used by Berra during the perio
Auction 702 | Lot: 19687 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1909-11 T206 Partial Set (463/521). The most recognizable and beloved of tobacco issues, we could almost forgive the lung cancer for the joy this set has brought to countless thousands of collectors. The dream of the Wagner card has crept into the minds of even the most casual hobbyist, and though we do not present the Old Dutchman in this sizeable offering, there is certainly no shortage of Dead Ball heroes to be found. A total of thirty-two Hall of Famers have been graded by SGC. Graded Cards, SGC 70 EX+ 5.5: Cy Young (Glove Shows). SGC 60 EX 5: six cards with Baker, Brown (Chi. Shirt), Chance (Yellow Port.), Crawford (w/ Bat), Marquard (Pitching), Mathewson (Dark Cap). SGC 50 VG-EX 4: eight cards with Brown (Port), Cobb (Red), Cobb (Green), Collins, Johnson (Port), Lajoie (Throw), Speaker, Tinker (Port). SGC 40 VG 3: eleven cards with Bender (Trees), Bender (No trees), Chase (Trophy), Cobb (bat on), Evers (Port), Johnson (Pitch), Joss (Pitch), Lajoie (bat), Lajoie (port), Marquard (side), Marquard (Port). SGC 30 Good 2: two cards with Brown (Cubs), Young (Bare hand). SGC 20 Fair 1.5: four cards with Cobb (Bat off), Mathewson (White), Mathewson (Port), Young (Port). Ungraded cards include Beckley (VG-EX), Bender Port. (VG), Bresnahan Port (VG), Bresnahan Bat (VG-EX), Chance Bat (VG), Chase White (VG-EX), Chase Black (VG-EX), Chase Port (VG-EX), Chesbro (Miscut VG-EX), Cicotte (VG-EX), Clarke Port (Good), Clarke Bat (VG-EX), Crawford Throw (Fair), Evers Chi (EX), Evers Cubs (Good), Huggins Mouth (VG-EX), Jennings One Hand (VG-EX), Jennings Port (VG-EX), Joss Port (Fair), Keeler Port (VG-EX), Keeler Bat (VG-EX), McGraw No Cap (VG-EX), McGraw Finger (VG-EX), Tinker Bat Off (Fair), Tinker Knees (Fair), Waddell Port (EX), Waddell Throw (VG-EX), Walsh (VG-EX), Willis Port (VG-EX), Willis Throw (VG-EX), Willis Bat (EX). Grades 10% EX or better, 60% VG-EX, 30% VG or lesser. Complete listing of cards available upon request.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19501 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 GAI NM-MT+ 8.5. "Mickey is the Yankee rookie of whom so much is expected in 1951," begins the text on the verso of the Yankee legend's '51 Bowman card. How's that for understatement? Though the Mick offered only a glimpse of his future greatness that turbulent first year, his subsequent seventeen left no doubt that the money spent on sending scouts out to Joplin in 1950 was a sound investment. And the same could certainly be said of money spent to acquire this paramount example of Mantle's true rookie, one of the finest representations to reach the auction block in recent memory. The scarcity of this card in general, buried in the unpopular final series of Bowman's 1951 print run, means that collectors are quick to scramble for even the most marginal specimen, but this top-tier example is for the true collecting elite. Based purely upon eye appeal, this card has no equal, not even from those rare few cards that have topped it in the population reports. Registration, so often a problem with this issue, is flawless here, and the coloring is bold and dark. Blazing white borders turn at razor-sharp corners. Only the 60/40 left/right centering, though superior to the vast majority of Bowmans from this issue, lowers this card ever so slightly from the absolute peak of perfection. A very minor wax stain on the verso has the similar effect, though again the condition of the back is leaps and bounds better than the bulk of others from this issue. Of course, there will be many who justifiably celebrate these miniscule imperfections, as the card would command perhaps $50,000 at auction in their absence.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19552 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1961-72 Topps Baseball Set Run. 1961 Topps Complete Set (587). Topps returned to its traditional vertical format for its 587-card issue in 1961. The set is numbered through 589, although only 587 cards were printed. The scarce high-numbered series includes card numbers 523-589. Highlights include 2 Roger Maris (VG/EX), 150 Mays, 290 Musial (EX), 300 Mantle (pinholes), 344 Koufax (EX), 388 Clemente (VG), 415 Aaron, 417 Marichal (EX), 425 Berra (EX/MT), 475 Mantle MVP (EX), 576 Maris All Star (EX/MT), 577 Aaron All Star (OC), 578 Mantle All Star (VG/EX) and 579 Mays All Star (OC). 20% of the set grades EX or better, while 30% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1962 Topps Complete Set (598). Easily identified by its distinctive wood-grain design, the 1962 Topps issue set a new standard by including 598 cards. The high-numbered series (523-598) included several short-printed cards. Highlights include 1 Maris (EX), 5 Koufax (EX), 10 Clemente (EX/MT), 18 Managers' Dream (VG), 53 AL HR Ldrs (EX), 199 Perry (VG/EX), 200 Mantle (EX+), 300 Mays (VG/EX), 318 The Switch Hitter Connects (EX), 320 Aaron (VG), 387 Brock (EX), 471 Mantle All Star (VG/EX), 530 Gibson (EX/MT) and 544 McCovey (EX/MT). 40% of the set grades EX or better, while 35% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1963 Topps Complete Set (576). The 1963 Topps set design, with its dominant color photo and smaller black and white portrait, is among the most popular of the 1960's. Included in the high series, is the highly sought after Pete Rose rookie card. Highlights include 120 Maris (VG), 173 Bombers' Best (G), 200 Mantle (G/VG), 210 Koufax (EX+), 300 Mays (VG), 380 Banks (EX/MT), 390 Aaron (VG), 472 Brock (G), 537 Rose (G), 540 Clemente (G/VG) and 553 Stargell (VG). 25% of the set grades EX or better, while 35% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1964 Topps Complete Set (587)
Auction 702 | Lot: 19583 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1940's Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball. A signature much like the man who penned it--bold, Yankee blue, and larger than life. This exceptional OAL (Harridge) ball represents the very bedrock of the sports collecting hobby, and no serious hobbyist could afford to be without one. The sphere remains much as it did when the Babe held it in his history-making hands, with the passing years toning the leather to a creamy beige hue, and mellowing the ink to a very conservative 8/10 in strength. If it was ever in your mind to own a Babe Ruth single signed baseball, then the time to buy it is now. The cost and value of such fine specimens as this have risen consistently, and with increasing speed, with each passing year. LOA from Steve Grad & Zach Rullo/ PSA DNA.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19730 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1948 Bowman Football High Grade Complete Set (108). Considered the first football set of the modern era, this supremely desirable set is where the finest football card collections begin. In a strange diversion from standard practice, the Bowman football issue of this year was three times the same of its baseball brother. Another interesting fact: the '48 Bowman Football cards were printed in three sheets, with the third sheet, holding all of the cards with numbers divisible by three (ie: 3, 6, 9, 12, etc.) printed in much shorter supply. A significant premium for these cards is the result. Important rookies are Baugh, Conerly, Luckman, Pihos, Bulldog Turner, Van Buren and Waterfield. A total of twenty-eight cards have been graded by PSA and add up to over $5,000 in SMR value by themselves. Graded cards, NM-MT 8: twenty-three cards with 3 Lujack, 7 Van Buren, 11, 28, 31, 42 SP, 44 Christman, 48 SP, 52, 55, 64, 65 Holovak, 72 SP, 82, 83, 88, 89, 92, 93 SP, 94, 99 Gilmer, 107 Luckman. PSA NM 7: five cards with 20, 22 Baugh, 37, 63 Pihos, 101. Ungraded cards include 12 Conerly (NM), 17 Trippi (EX-MT), 36 Turner (EX-MT), 60 Nickel (EX-MT), 61 Wojo (EX), 80 Dudley (EX), 95 McAfee (EX), 108 Ray (EX-MT). Grades 50% NM to NM-MT, 30% EX-MT, 20% EX or lesser.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19418 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1954 Topps Henry Aaron #128 SGC Mint 96. Certainly one of the hobby's most important post-war cards, a status it will retain even if Aaron's remarkable 755 career home run total is someday surpassed. Though Aaron's own assumption of the home run crown came more than a quarter century after Jackie Robinson broke the color line, Hammerin' Hank was forced to endure everything from racist taunts to death threats as he reeled in the Babe. This exceptional Mint example of his 1954 Topps rookie card is a fitting tribute to the skill and bravery of history's most prolific slugger, remaining to this day entirely unchanged from its emergence from a wax pack over a half century ago. Offering perfect color, registration and centering to go along with its complete absence of wear, it is not surprising that this card finds itself at the top of the record books, much like the man himself, with not a single specimen ever grading higher.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19569 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1952 Bowman Baseball High-Grade Complete Set (252). Count us among those collectors who believe that the artwork of early 1950's Bowman cards represent the peak of the hobby's design. And there is certainly no shortage of star power within the ranks. We offer a spectacularly high-grade set here for our bidding clientele. A total of sixty cards have been graded by PSA, which add up to over $9,250 in SMR value. Graded Cards, PSA NM-MT 8: fifty cards with 2, 4 Roberts, 5 Minoso, 11 Kiner, 15, 32, 43 Feller, 44 Campanella, 73, 76, 78, 84, 85, 87, 88, 93, 94, 110, 116 Snider, 122, 124, 128 Newcombe, 131, 134, 136, 137, 145 Mize, 146 Durocher, 156 Spahn, 159, 164, 166, 172, 174, 177, 178, 179, 184, 194, 198, 200, 201, 208, 211, 213. High #'s 219, 228, 237, 241, 250. PSA NM 7: Eight cards with 8 Reese, 30 Schoendienst, 52 Rizzuto, 99, 196 Musial, 218 Mays, 220, 240. Ungraded cards include 1 Berra (EX-MT), 21 Fox (NM), 33 McDougald (NM), 80 Hodges (EX-MT), 101 Mantle (EX), 217 Stengel (EX-MT), 232 Slaughter (EX-MT), 252 Crosetti (NM). Grades 60% NM to NM-MT, 30% EX-MT, 10% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19560 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1909 T204 T.T.T. Cigarettes Jesse Burkett Oval Frame SGC EX/NM 80. An absolutely exceptional specimen, worthy of glowing praise on a number of fronts. Most importantly, it is the earliest and most significant card attributed to this early Dead Ball legend, and the only noteworthy issue dating to his active baseball life, as manager of the Worcester Club of the Atlantic Association. Next we must address the gorgeous design of the issue itself, with elegant golden foil highlighting intricate scroll work that rings the fine center portrait. Condition is the third jewel in the crown, as this offering represents the highest grade, by far, of the few submitted to SGC. And of the fourteen to pass through the offices of PSA, perhaps only two could hold a candle to this one, leaving it in the most elite of company. Just a few pinpoints of wear to the wonderfully balanced gold borders spare the card from absolute perfection, and it would not surprise us in the slightest if a resubmission bumped this representation to the status of "finest known on earth."
Auction 702 | Lot: 19495 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)

Make Offer to Owner
$21,510 or more
1950 Bowman Baseball High-Grade Complete Set (252). The gorgeous artwork that made thousands of collectors fall in love with the Bowman debuts here, as the third issue from this bubble gum manufacturer leaves photography behind to return to the roots of the hobby. A total of twenty-eight cards have been graded by PSA, which add up to $5,250 in SMR value. Graded cards, PSA Mint 9: 141 Coleman. PSA NM-MT 8: nineteen cards with 12, 29, 30, 34, 42, 62, 63, 65, 77 Snider, 112 Hodges, 134, 143, 148, 154, 176, 185, 202, 204, 228. PSA NM 7: five cards with 11 Rizzuto, 19 Spahn, 20, 21 Reese, 23 Newcombe. Ungraded cards include 6 Feller (EX-MT), 98 Williams (EX-MT). Three cards show evidence of trimming: 22 Robinson, 46 Berra, 75 Campanella. Grades 30% NM to NM-MT, 50% EX-MT, 20% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19549 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 PSA NM-MT 8. Argue all you'd like that the 1952 Topps card is Mickey's true rookie--our calendar tells us that the '51 Bowman was actually the first. We'll also take issue with anybody who claims the Topps rookie is a prettier card, as we're of the opinion that Bowman's designs of the early 1950's represent one of the high water marks in cardboard aesthetics. It surely shows on the flawlessly registered image of the nineteen-year old legend in the making, who stands at batting attention before a cloud-dappled sky on this high-grade rarity.

Educated collectors will understand the difficulty in achieving a grade of PSA NM-MT 8 on any 1951 Bowman, particularly those from the high-number series, which is led off by the Mick. Centering problems abound in this issue, and gum and wax stains are all but epidemic. Our offering is spared the brunt of such ailments, and takes it a step further by sporting four sharp corners and clean, unrubbed edges. Any "flaws" are so minor as to risk overstatement with a mere mention. In short, this one's a real blazer.

Of 840 such cards graded by PSA at the time of this writing, the population report tells us that collectors must chase down one of just ten cards on earth if they wish to upgrade from a PSA 8. Suffice it to say that finding one of the ten cards that top this one will be a difficult ordeal, and paying for it will be none too easy either.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19551 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1933 Goudey Sport Kings Near Set (38/48). Indisputably the most beloved multi-sport issue in the card collecting hobby, the Sport Kings set continues in the majestic artistic tradition that made that year's baseball set one of the hobby's "Big Three." Issued during the height of the Great Depression, the set surely has a number of factors working against it in terms of healthy survival. Primarily, bubble gum cards for children were not a high priority in most American families' budgets at the time, and seventy years of life is a lot to ask from any paper product. It's also noteworthy that trading cards were not considered to hold any intrinsic value until quite recently, leaving most cards from the pre-war era to fall to the bicycle spoke, the thumb tack on the wall, the trash. So we are pleased to do our part for historic presentation with this expansive and impressively fine selection of thirty-eight cards from the set of forty-eight. The majority reside in an SGC slab, breaking down as follows. SGC VG 40: Cobb #1. SGC EX 60: Jones #38, Stevens #47. SGC EX+ 70: Thorpe #6, Tilden #16. SGC EX/NM 80: Wachter #5, Blood #9, Jewtraw #11, Londos #14, Dempsey #17, Kahanamoku #20, Weissmuller #21, Morenz #24, Lopchick #32, Burke #33, Jaffee #34, Hoppe #36, Browning #41, Vines #46. SGC NM 84: Hagen #8, McLean #12, Tunney #18, Sarazen #22, Richards #23, Turner #27, Carnera #43, Didrickson #45. SGC NM+ 86: Walthour, Jr. #31. The balance of the collection remains unslabbed, and presents as VG-EX across the board: Holman #3, Walthour, Sr. #7, Fator #13, McNamara #15, Shore #19 (minor alteration), Snoddy #25, Bailey #29, Madison #37, Westrope #39 (vintage tape on verso), George #40. A few additions, a few upgrades, and you'll have one of the top sets in the hobby.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19597 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1921-31 "Shoeless" Joe Jackson Barnstorming Game Used Bat. It took the loss of Lou Gehrig to offer to the baseball world a story more tragic than that of Shoeless Joe, an illiterate laborer from Pickens County, South Carolina who left the dirt farms of his youth to become one of the game's greatest stars, and then lost it all in an instant. We may never know exactly how much Jackson understood, and how much he actually participated in the Black Sox scandal that resulted in the loss of the 1919 World Series and his banishment forever from Major League Baseball, but we can be certain that he was one of the most gifted athletes ever to find his way onto a Big League ballfield. Ty Cobb himself called Shoeless Joe "the finest natural hitter in the history of the game," and the great Babe Ruth echoed this sentiment, stating that "he's the guy that made me a hitter." Despite this highest of praise, the harsh ruling of Judge Landis was a weight that Jackson carried for the rest of his days, and he still does, perhaps forever locked out of the gates of Cooperstown.

Of course Joe Jackson's baseball career didn't end entirely as a result of the scandal, though the venues showcasing his remarkable talents changed from 40,000 seat stadiums to weed-choked sandlots in towns with forgotten names. The fame and the money now gone, Jackson would continue appearing on the barnstorming circuit for twenty years, until the age of fifty, which would suggest that he really did play for the love of the game, and that the lure of easy money did not overshadow his competitive spirit that dark October. "God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times," Jackson is quoted as saying, "and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

Presented here is a remarkable artifact dating from the early years of Jackson's excommunication from organized ball, his trusted signature model Hillerich & Bradsby in his famous two-toned "Black Betsy" style. In a sad development, the famous bat ma
Auction 702 | Lot: 19660 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1909-11 T206 Cy Young Bare Hand Shows GAI NM-MT+ 8.5. There's surely no need to go on and on about how unlikely it is for a baseball card to survive nine decades of life without seeming to age so much as a day, but our offering proves that such miracles do occasionally come true. The header of the GAI slab notes that this is the "1st Graded," and we have confirmation from Global that none have ever been graded higher since. We can safely assume that this is unlikely to happen in the future either, as you just don't find corners so sharp, edges so smooth, surfaces so clean on these early tobacco cards. In fact it's a distinct possibility that this card could have graded even higher if not for a single stray pinpoint of green printer's ink that found its way into the yellow background of sky. The condition in regard to wear/aging is so remarkably strong that even a lofty NM-MT+ seems a bit stingy. An exceptional card, to put it mildly.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19500 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1961 Topps Baseball Complete Set (587). As the M&M boys were painting the record books in pinstripes, schoolkids were tearing open the wax hoping to find one of these two Yankee idols. The large format color photographic portraits on the face make this a collector favorite as well. This is one of the highest grade '61 sets to come down the pike in some time. A total of fifty-five cards have been graded by SGC. Graded Cards, SGC Mint 96: five cards with 327 Alou, 402 Larsen Perfect Game SP, 565 Alou, 570 Fox All-Star, 576 Maris All-Star. SGC NM-MT+ 92: twenty-one cards with 1 Groat, 20, 54, 59, 168, 211 Gibson, 260 Drysdale, 285, 290 Musial, 300 Mantle, 312 World Series, 318, 332, 344 Koufax, 360 F. Robinson, 403, 417 Marichal, 525, 545, 547, 586 Ford (AS). SGC NM-MT 88: twenty-four cards with 11, 41 Clemente/Mays, 44 Mantle/Maris, 46 Bunning etc, 50, 55, 95, 134, 156, 201, 221, 319, 321, 377, 388 Clemente, 405 Gehrig Benched, 415 Aaron, 425 Berra, 429 Kaline, 443 Snider, 460 Hodges, 552, 572 B. Robinson All Star, 578 Mantle (AS). SGC NM+ 86: four cards with 42, 63, 160 Ford, 310. SGC NM 84: #2 Maris. Two cards (150 Mays and 485 Banks MVP) show evidence of trimming. Grades 70% NM to NM-MT, 20% EX-MT, 10% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19581 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1911 T205 Gold Border Walter Johnson SGC NM+ 86. The twenty-three year old Kansas fireballer had yet to notch his 100th of 417 career wins at the time this gorgeous card was issued, an exceptionally high-grade specimen from one of tobacco's most picturesque sets. We must look very close to spot any deviation from perfection, as the image area is beyond reproach and front and rear surfaces are remarkably clean. An idea of the scarcity of such a fine card? Not only has this majestic T205 never been equalled or topped on the SGC population charts, but only one other card has ever topped SGC EX 60! So this representation doesn't just win by a nose, it leaves the rest of the pack in the dust.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19516 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1952 Topps Baseball Complete Set (407). The 1952 Topps set was the largest set of its day, both in number and size of the cards. Cards 311-407 are extremely limited. Graded cards, PSA VG 3: 261 Mays, 312 Robinson. PSA PR-FR 1: 311 Mantle, 407 Mathews. Ungraded cards include 1 Pafko (G), 11 Rizzuto (G/VG), 33 Warren Spahn (G), 36 Hodges (G), 37 Snider (G), 88 Feller (VG), 175 Martin (OC), 191 Berra (OC), 243 Doby (EX/MT), 313 Thompson (G), 314 Campanella, 320 Rutherford (EX), 333 Reese (G), 372 McDougald (VG), 392 Wilhelm (trimmed) and 400 Dickey (paper loss). 10% of the set grades EX or better, while 15% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19561 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
Early 1940's Ted Williams Game Worn Pants. For all but the most well-funded collectors of sporting artifacts among us, the dream of a Ted Williams game worn jersey will remain only a dream. The combination of the tremendous demand and anemic supply has driven prices of the few known specimens into the stratosphere, leaving most of us with no other option than to peer at one through Cooperstown plexiglass. One fortunate collector, however, will be able to bring some genuine home white Boston Red Sox flannel from the greatest hitter of all time into his trophy room at the close of this auction, and at a price that will be just a fraction of what a jersey would command. This well-worn pair of pants saw a full season of action in the wardrobe of the great Ted Williams before being recycled for a second tour of duty with the baseball team of New York University. This was a common practice for decades, that Major League uniforms were passed down to various minor league, corporate and/or college teams at the end of the season. Our consignor's father was a member of the early 1940's N.Y.U. ballclub, and had the good fortune of owning the same general build of the Hall of Fame slugger. Quickly noting that the name "Williams" was embroidered in the waistband beside the "McAuliffe" and size "38" tagging, and that a faded number "9" was penned above in marker, the young ballplayer decided he'd choose another pair of pants to wear, and hang onto this pair as a keepsake. A wise choice. Short of a decent tear in the back of the right leg, almost certainly suffered during a slide into the bag, and a few scattered rips elsewhere, the pants remain in quite strong condition, with various team repairs and only a couple of minor stains. The terrific use leads one to imagine how many long balls he clubbed while suited up in this fine artifact, and even if it's possible that these date from his magical 1941 season that saw him top .400 for the last time in baseball history. Letter of provenance f
Auction 702 | Lot: 19678 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1951 Bowman Football High-Grade Complete Set (144). Issued both in six-card nickel packs and single-card penny packs, this issue experienced a growth spurt from previous years, with the cards now five-eighths of an inch taller. Important rookies include Landry, Tunnell and Van Brocklin. A total of forty-three cards have been graded by PSA which add up to more than $4,600 in SMR value. Graded cards, PSA NM-MT 8: thirty-five cards with 3 Speedie, 4 Van Brocklin, 12 Bednarik, 13 Turner, 14, 15 Lujack, 16, 26 Hart, 27, 29, 38, 40 Waterfield, 41, 42 Davis, 45, 46 Pihos, 56 Conerly, 57, 58, 59, 60, 66, 72, 87, 93, 94, 95, 98, 99, 100, 105 Perry, 117, 125, 130 Finks, 141. PSA NM 7: eight cards with 1, 2 Graham, 6, 32 Tittle, 34 Baugh, 75, 91, 102 Layne. Ungraded cards include 10 Van Buren (NM), 21 Weinmeister (NM-MT), 25 Walker (NM), 62 Creekmur (NM), 73 Lavelli (NM-MT), 76 Hirsch (EX-MT), 90 Canadeo (NM), 137 Trippi (NM-MT), 140 Nemellini (NM), 144 Dudley (NM). One card (20 Landry) shows evidence of trimming. Grades 70% NM to NM-MT, 20% EX-MT, 10% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19429 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1939 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #26 PSA Mint 9. The definitive representation of Joltin' Joe's definitive card. Never, of the nearly 600 attempts to achieve the status of PSA Gem Mint 10, has a '39 Play Ball DiMaggio been successful, leaving this outrageous specimen one of just thirteen representations at the top of the population charts. You simply cannot, by definition, find a finer example of this important card, so for one lucky collector the search ends here. Flawless registration and centering conspire to offer unmatched eye appeal, and the corners are as sharp as a DiMaggio line drive. Offered humbly for the uncompromising hobbyist.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19542 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1948 Bowman Baseball High-Grade Complete Set (48). The Bowman company throws its hat into the ring with its premier set, and one of the first baseball card issues in the wake of World War II. A total of nineteen cards have been graded by PSA, which add up to over $5,750 in SMR value. Graded cards, PSA NM-MT 8: fifteen cards with 1 Elliot, 3 Kiner, 5 Feller, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 26, 28, 34, 36 Musial, 40, 44. PSA NM 7: three cards with 4 Mize, 6, Berra, 18 Spahn. Ungraded cards include 7 Reiser (EX-MT), 17 Slaughter (NM), 29 Page (NM-MT), 38 Schoendienst (NM). 2 Blackwell and 8 Rizzuto show evidence of trimming. Grades 35% NM-MT, 35% NM, 30% EX to EX-MT.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19545 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
April 16, 1947 Babe Ruth Handwritten and Signed Postcard. Charley Weber had his daughter to thank for his incredible baseball connections. Though his good natured gregariousness and the top-quality meat he sold at his butcher shop certainly endeared him to the elite of the New York dugouts, it all began when in 1933 his daughter married a nineteen-year old rookie pitcher for the New York Giants named Jack Salveson. Many introductions were subsequently made. Soon Charley was rubbing elbows with Gehrig and Stengel. Bill Terry and Branch Rickey, who lived in the Bronxville, New York neighborhood where Weber's Market stood, were frequent customers and good friends. A newspaper clipping included in the magnificent collection we present below pictures Weber at a dinner beside Ford Frick and Leo Durocher. But, of course, none of Weber's new friends could compete in the fame game with the sport's greatest legend, the Bambino himself. Weber's 1973 obituary notes "Baseball standout Babe Ruth often spent many an hour in the back of Weber's market spinning tales to a captivated audience. The twosome often bowled together, and Ruth was a frequent visitor at the cattle farm which Mr. Weber owned during World War II."

It's certainly clear simply from this collection of correspondence that there was a special bond between the butcher and the Babe. Wherever Ruth traveled in his later years, whether Mexico City, Acapulco, Miami Beach or Chicago, he took the time to drop a postcard in the mail to his good friend Charley, and Charley held onto them with great affection and pride. The postcards also speak volumes about the Babe and his legendary sense of humor, which is illustrated in the variety of comical cards he picked to mail to his friend.

We are pleased to offer this very personal look into the life and mind of baseball's greatest superstar. Each piece offers its own unique insight, and we invite each of you to choose your favorites, and to bid to win. A photocopy of th
Auction 702 | Lot: 19723 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1935 National Chicle Complete Set. The mid-1930's was a golden age for trading card design, with Goudeys, Diamond Stars and these National Chicles ranking near the top of many collectors' wish lists due to their fine artistry and the legendary talent they portray. But these Depression-era issues can be tough to locate, making this rare offering of a complete set of thirty-six cards a real treat for those who share our appreciation of the National Chicle set. With this first great football issue booking at five-figures in EX condition and climbing close to a quarter-million when Mint, our selection of well-loved but solid Good cards may be your only chance to get in on the fun at a relatively reasonable price. Nagurski, the key card in the set, is also one of its finest here, with a tiny pinhole at the top and bottom all that prohibits a VG rating. Rockne shows a bit more corner wear, and is slabbed in an SGC Good 30 holder, the only encapsulated card in the set. The balance of the set offers similar condition traits to this pair. Not the most pristine cards on the block, but still loaded with collector appeal.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19417 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1950 Bowman Football High Grade Complete Set (144). The first color football set. These cards were issued to the collecting public in six-card nickel packs with two pieces of gum, and are arranged so that trios of players from the same team are numbered together in sequence. Important rookies are Canadeo, Glenn Davis, Fears, Graham, Groza, Hirsch, Lavelli, Motley, Joe Perry and Tittle. A total of forty cards have been graded by PSA which add up to over $4,250 in SMR value. Graded cards, NM-MT 8: thirty-seven cards with 3, 6 Groza, 8 Speedie, 9 Canadeo, 11, 19, 26 Lujack, 27 Luckman, 28 Turner, 29 Dudley, 36 Albert, 38 Hart, 42, 52 Hirsch, 55, 56, 66, 71, 78 Lavelli, 82 Burris, 84, 87, 90, 92, 93, 98, 100 Baugh (oc),102, 110, 111, 115, 116, 123, 134 Pihos, 136, 139, 143. PSA NM 7: three cards with 5 Tittle, 37 Layne, 45 Graham. Ungraded cards include 1 Walker (EX), 15 Younger (EX-MT), 17 Waterfield (EX-MT), Van Buren (NM), 43 Motley (NM), 51 Fears (EX-MT), 128 Finks (NM), 129 Trippi (EX-MT), 144 Ramsey (NM). Eight cards show evidence of trimming, including 16 Davis, 25, 35 Perry, 40, 68, 96, 107 Nomellini, 132 Bednarik. Grades 70% NM to NM-MT, 20% EX-MT, 10% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19423 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1911 Baltimore Newsboy E94 Ty Cobb SGC Fair 20. While a spark of recognition should flare in the minds of those familiar with the "Close Candy" version of the seldom seen E94, the degree of scarcity is magnified even further with this all-but-extinct variation from "The Baltimore Newsboy Series." This is, in fact, the only representation ever to take residence in an SGC slab, while the PSA population reports make no mention of the variation whatsoever. The obvious difference between the Baltimore Newsboy and Close Candy versions is that the former features the player images against a light blue background, though the card back is likewise changed, with a list of the players in the set below an offer of a "Prize of $1.00 to First 35 Boys Getting Full Set of the Following." Condition is admittedly imperfect here, with creasing near the corners and mild spots of staining, but the card presents very attractively despite the flaws. And it goes without saying that such a supreme rarity demands a tremendous amount of leeway when it comes to such considerations, as a hunt for any other specimen at all, much less a finer one, will almost certainly be in vain.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19508 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1934 World Wide Gum Uncut Sheet of Forty-Eight Cards. The first forty-eight cards from this gorgeous set differ from the design of the 1933 Goudey only in the bilingual text on the verso, though given the recent popularity of the Montreal Expos, perhaps a French translation was only wishful thinking. The faces of the cards are identical to the coveted issue that has come to be known in the collecting hobby as one of "The Big Three," and it takes just a quick glance to understand why the issue achieved such a lofty status. The artwork is simply phenomenal, certainly the finest of Depression-era baseball, and the names featured rank among the greatest our national game has seen. This remarkable uncut sheet houses such legends as Ruth, Speaker, Hornsby, Maranville, Rixey, Pennock, Lindstrom, Rice, Haines, Ruffing, Coombs (sic) and Travis Jackson. The mere existence of such a sheet runs contrary to all laws of probability, and the remarkably fine condition is enough to boggle the mind. While we must note the existence of numerous light surface creases, and some color and paper restoration, the overall visual appeal is that of a much finer piece, as the colors remain bright and vibrant, and the signs of wear require close inspection to spot. Short of a slight bit of toning to the top row of cards, we could quite honestly assert that the sheet looks factory fresh from a distance of three feet or greater.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19539 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1953-56 Topps Baseball Set Run. 1953 Topps Complete Set (274). The 1953 Topps set, originally intended to consist of 280 cards, is missing six numbers (253, 261, 267, 268, 271 and 275) most likely due to its continuing legal battles with Bowman. Graded cards, PSA EX-MT 6: 220 Paige. PSA EX 5: 27 Campanella, 147 Spahn. PSA VG-EX 4: 82 Mantle. Ungraded cards include 1 Robinson (VG), 54 Feller (VG/EX), 76 Reese (VG/EX), 86 Martin (trimmed), 104 Berra (G), 114 Rizzuto (EX), 207 Ford (VG), 244 Mays (color added, writing), 258 Gilliam (VG) and 263 Podres (VG). 20% of the set grades EX or better, while 30% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1954 Topps Complete Set (250). The 1954 Topps set includes cards of managers and coaches and was the first to include two player pictures on the card fronts. Highlights include 1 Ted Williams (VG), 10 Robinson (G), 32 Snider (VG/EX), 50 Berra (G), 90 Mays, 94 Banks, 128 Aaron, 201 Kaline (VG/EX) and 250 Williams. 20% of the set grades EX or better, while 30% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1955 Topps Complete Set (206). Numerically the smallest of Topps annual issues, the 1955 issue consists of 206 horizontal-oriented cards. Card numbers 175, 186, 203 and 209 were never released. Highlights include 2 Williams (G), 4 Kaline, 28 Banks, 47 Aaron (VG), 50 Robinson, 123 Koufax (VG), 124 Killebrew (VG), 164 Clemente (G), 194 Mays, 198 Berra and 210 Snider (G). 25% of the set grades EX or better, while 35% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1956 Topps Complete Set (340). The 1956 Topps set of 340 cards included team cards and cards of the two league presidents, William Harridge and Warren Giles. Highlights include #'s 5 Williams, 30 Robinson (EX), 31 Aaron, 33 Clemente (G), 79 Koufax (G), 130 Mays (OC) and 135 Mantle (paper loss). 20% of the set grades EX or better, while 20% grades VG or better
Auction 702 | Lot: 19567 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1948-51 Bowman Baseball Set Run. 1948 Bowman Complete Set (48). One of the first major issues of the post-war era, Bowman Gum Co.'s premiere set of forty-eight black and white cards was produced in 1948. Twenty-four cards were short printed and command a higher price than the remaining cards in the set. Highlights include 3 Kiner (paper loss), 4 Mize, 5 Feller, 6 Berra (G), 8 Rizzuto (tape), 17 Slaughter (G), 18 Spahn (writing), 36 Musial (VG), 38 Schoendienst (VG) and 47 Thompson. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1949 Bowman Complete Set (240). Bowman increased production in their second year, with a set numbering 240 cards and featuring backgrounds of various solid pastel colors. Graded cards, PSA VG-EX 4: 50 Robinson, PSA VG-EX 4: 224 Paige and PSA VG-EX 4: 226 Snider. Ungraded include 24 Musial (paper loss), 27 Feller (writing), 33 Spahn (paper loss), 36 Reese (G/VG), 46 Roberts (trimmed), 60 Berra (G), 84 Campanella (G), 98 Rizzuto (G/VG), 100 Hodges (VG), 214 Ashburn (paper loss), 233 Doby (VG) and 238 Lemon (G). 10% of the set grades EX or better, while 5% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1950 Bowman Complete Set (252). The 1950 Bowman set of 252 cards featured beautiful color art reproductions of actual photographs. Cards found in the first two series of the set (1-72) are the tougher to find of the issue. Highlights include 6 Feller (tape), 11 Rizzuto (VG/EX), 19 Spahn (G), 21 Reese (VG/EX), 22 Robinson (G), 23 Newcombe (G), 32 Roberts (tape), 46 Berra (tape), 75 Campanella (tape), 77 Snider (G), 84 Ashburn (VG) and 98 Williams (tape). 15% of the set grades EX or better, while 10% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1951 Bowman Complete Set (324). In 1951, Bowman increased the number of cards in its set to 324 cards. The high series cards (253-324) are the scarcest of the issue and include rookie cards of Mantle and Mays. Graded ca
Auction 702 | Lot: 19547 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1963 Topps Baseball High-Grade Complete Set (576). Among the most popular of 1960's issues, this set offers dual photographic portraits on the face with a cartoon and statistics on verso. The '63 Topps is anchored by a high-grade Rose rookie, accounting for a healthy percentage of the value of the set. A total of fifty-six cards have been graded by PSA, which add up to more than $5,000 in SMR value on their own. Graded cards, PSA Mint 9: three cards with 220, 357, 498. PSA NM-MT 8: forty-seven cards with 5 NL ERA, 20, 51, 54, 68 Snider/Hodges, 72, 89, 99, 101, 116, 126, 127, 130, 149, 172, 203, 209, 216, 218, 239 260, 285, 294, 316, 320 Spahn, 326, 327, 348, 353, 358, 360 Drysdale, 365, 398, 400 F. Robinson, 410, 412 Dodgers' Big Three, 434, 436, 439, 481, 490 McCovey, 491, 514, 532, 537 Rose, 540 Clemente, 553 Stargell. PSA NM 7: six cards with 58, 115 Yastrzemski, 120 Maris, 390 Aaron, 500 Killebrew, 520 Cepeda. Ungraded cards include 18 Buc Blasters (EX-MT), 25 Kaline (EX-MT), 138 Pride of NL (NM), 173 Bombers' Best (EX), 200 Mantle (EX), 210 Koufax (NM), 242 Aaron/Banks (NM), 250 Musial (EX-MT), 300 Mays (EX-MT), 340 Berra (EX), 380 (EX-MT), 415 Gibson (NM), .Grades 40% NM to NM-MT, 40% EX-MT, 20% EX or lesser.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19585 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1934 World Wide Gum Uncut Sheet of Seventy-Two Cards. Discouraged by taunts that they were behind the times, the Canadian World Wide Gum manufacturers abandoned the design of the 1933 Goudey issue at the midway point, offering the contemporary '34 style from card number forty-nine to ninety-six. And so our neighbors to the north became the beneficiaries of the "Lou Gehrig says..." advice, in both French and English, on the verso, the only way that these cards vary from the American issue. On the face, this incredible sheet is a dead ringer for the 1934 Goudey. And while we'd be thrilled to have just that second forty-eight in a single sheet, this one repeats seventy-three to ninety-six, offering duplicates of every card from John "Blondy" Ryan through John Allen. Happily, this range includes Hall of Famers Hafey, Lombardi, Appling, Earnshaw and Lou Gehrig himself, so that each of these pre-war legends appears twice on the sheet. Lest we forget those who appear only once, we should note that cards forty-nine through seventy-two feature Terry, Grove, Dizzy Dean, Klein, Gehringer, Foxx, Cochrane, Frisch, Paul Waner, Manush, Durocher, Vaughan and Hubbell. That's twenty-three Hall of Fame cards total! A masterful color and paper restoration job has diminished the signs of wear almost to the point of invisibility, but if you look very closely you can spot a seam that runs the length of the second column of cards, and various other scattered wrinkles throughout. But again, like cards one through forty-eight offered in the previous lot, the bright coloring of the cards leaves the impression of a factory-fresh sheet from any reasonable distance.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19540 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
Circa 1976-1978 Roger Staubach Pro Bowl Game Worn Jersey. Roger Staubach is the quintessential American sports hero. The 1963 Heisman Trophy winner while playing at the Naval Academy, Roger unselfishly fulfilled his five-year commitment to the military before embarking on a professional football career. That career would see him lead the Dallas Cowboys to five Super Bowls, two of which they won. Pro Bowl jerseys from this era are difficult to nail down to an exact year, as they wore the same style for three straight seasons, and Staubach was the quarterback for the N.F.C. all three of these years. This size "48 Sand Knit Medalist" jersey is a stunning royal blue with red and white screened lettering. Roger's immortal number "12" is screened on the chest and verso, with "National" and "Staubach" joining his number respectively. This jersey shows the light wear one would expect to see from a jersey that was only worn on one occasion, especially one worn in the Pro Bowl, where the quarterbacks do not take nearly as much punishment as they do during regular season games. Staubach gamers are few and far between, and after the hammer falls down on this one, it may be some time before another hits the auction block. LOA from Dan Knoll, Dave Bushing & Lou Lampson/ SCD Authentic.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19446 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1952 Bowman Warren Spahn #156 SGC Gem Mint 98. None finer on earth. Check the population reports on the SGC website and you'll see that this statement is not just an opinion, but a verifiable fact. This pack-fresh marvel offers not a single opportunity to cast stones. Each border mirrors its opposite side down to the fraction of a millimeter, and each corner is a razor-sharp right angle. A glossy, perfectly registered front flips to a verso free of even the suggestion of the gum and wax stains that so often spoil the fun. The card is pure perfection, never equalled and impossible to surpass. Population one.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19556 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1913 T200 Fatima Team Philadelphia Americans Premium. It's hard to know where to begin when singing the praises of this exceptional rarity, a piece that should leave even the most jaded collectors among us with dropped jaws. Perhaps we should start with the team itself, a World Championship squad that stands along side the 1927 New York Yankees as one of the game's fabled superpowers. The celebrated "$100,000 infield" of Stuffy McInnis, Eddie Collins, Jack Barry, and Frank Baker remained intact from the 1910-11 Championships, and further Hall of Fame talent of Eddie Collins, Chief Bender, Eddie Plank and of course the great Connie Mack rendered the squad all but unbeatable in 1913. All are present and accounted for in this exceptional team photographic image, with all the gruff charm of the Dead Ball Era.

Next we should consider the condition of the piece, which defies all laws of probability in its excellence. Essentially an 11x19" thin paper photographic print affixed to a 13x21" cardboard mount, the nature of the composition does not lend itself well to decades of healthy survival. The very few examples that have surfaced in the hobby are typically riddled with chipping to the mount, water/humidity damage, significant foxing, or any combination thereof. Our offering breaks from tradition most vigorously, offering only a very minor chip to the white border area of the image and the slight shadow of moisture along the upper cardboard border which could be matted out by a peculiarly fastidious collector--the rest of us will hardly notice it.

If the photographic image looks familiar to you, there's a good reason for that (and it's not because you've seen one of these premiums before). This same shot appears on the much more common--and yet still scarce--Fatima team cards (2.75x4.75" in size), which were packaged with Fatima brand cigarettes in 1913. The only difference in the images is that the premium does not feature the Fatima advertising logo. The other
Auction 702 | Lot: 19520 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 PSA NM 7. The Mick's first card was almost his last. After struggling in his rookie season to such a degree that he was sent back down to the minors, the young Oklahoman was ready to call it quits. But his father, who had named Mickey after his own baseball hero Mr. Cochrane, wouldn't hear of it. "Just be a little patient," "Mutt" Mantle told him, "Things will get better." And quite clearly they did. So we have Mickey's pop to thank for this card's status as one of the most desirable in post-war collecting, rather than being just a run-of-the-mill high number common. Our particular offering represents one of the stronger examples you'll see of this tough, short-printed card, garnering a Near Mint designation from the critical eyes of PSA.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19550 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1967 Topps Baseball High-Grade Complete Set (609). The largest set ever produced by Topps up until this time. Interestingly, all but a single card (Milt Pappas #254) feature the player's facsimile autograph on the front. The high-number cards are particularly scarce, with commons booking at well over twice the lower numbered variety. A total of thirty cards have been graded by PSA, which add up to over $2,800 in SMR value. Graded cards, PSA Mint 9: six cards with #25 Howard, 123, 266 Stargell/Clendenon, 272, 318, 531. PSA NM-MT 8: twenty-two cards with 31, 45 Maris, 119, 140 Stargell, 198, 200 Mays, 208, 209, 210 Gibson, 231, 250 Aaron, 315, 320 Perry, 343, 347, 369 Hunter, 430 Rose, 460 Killebrew, 475 Palmer, 483, 489, 585. PSA NM 7: two cards with 150 Mantle, #581 Seaver. Ungraded cards include 1 Champs (NM), 5 Ford (NM), 30 Kaline (NM), 55 Drysdale (NM), 103 Mantle CL (NM-MT), 146 Carlton (EX-MT), 215 Banks (EX-MT), 355 Yastrzemski (NM), 400 Clemente (NM), 476 Perez (EX-MT), 480 McCovey (NM), 569 Carew (EX-MT), 600 B. Robinson (EX-MT). Grades 70% NM to NM-MT, 20% EX-MT, 10% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19592 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
UPDATE: Please note that the first card listed under PSA 9 should be 43, not 41 (D. Walker) as currently listed.

1954 Bowman Football Complete Set (128). A short-printed middle series (65 to 96) has made complete sets of '54 Bowman Football a tough find, and we offer one of the strongest condition examples of the issue here. Doug Atkins and George Blanda are the key rookies. A total of twenty-three cards have been graded by PSA. Graded cards, PSA Mint 9: five cards with 41, 71, 95, 113 Conerly, 121. PSA NM-MT 8: sixteen cards with 22, 23 Blanda, 26, 30, 39, 38, 53 Layne, 56, 69, 70, 76 Nomellini, 77, 87, 94, 116 Connor, 128 Lattner. PSA NM 7: two cards with 34, 59. Ungraded cards include 1 Mathews (NM), 4 Atkins (NM-MT), 6 Perry (NM-MT), 8 Van Brocklin (NM), 9 Pihos (NM), 12 Matson (EX-MT), 20 Fears (NM), 32 Hirsch (NM-MT), 41 Walker (EX-MT), 42 Tittle (EX-MT), 52 Groza (NM-MT), 55 Gifford (NM), 57 Bednarik (NM), 60 Trippi (NM). Grades 75% NM to NM-MT, 15% EX-MT, 10% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19437 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1909 T204 SGC-Graded Cards Lot of 10. A collecting favorite due to the aesthetic beauty and intense rarity of the issue, the T204 set is most respectably represented here with an offering of ten high-grade cards. Leading the pack is Charlie Hemphill's SGC EX/NM 80, laying claim to one of the highest marks ever achieved by a T204 at the grading service. A marvelous SGC EX+ 70 card from Andy Coakley is next on the list, followed by Ed Ruelbach, Jack Powell, Jimmy Collins, Hobe Ferris and Mike Donlin in SGC VG/EX 50. Closing out the collection are SGC VG 40 cards from P.J. Moran, Wm. Bransfield and Fred Tenney. Tremendous value here for dealers and collectors alike. (Total: 10 Items)
Auction 702 | Lot: 19498 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1960 Juan Marichal Game Worn Rookie Jersey. Count us among the collectors that think that it just doesn't get any better than a Hall of Fame rookie flannel. The Dominican Dandy only pitched eighty-one innings his first Big League season, but gave a glimpse of the greatness to come by posting a six and two record and 2.66 E.R.A. for the year. This road grey San Francisco Giants flannel shows fine wear from the twenty-two year old right-hander, and offers the classic team design with black and orange tackle twill block lettering spelling "San Francisco" on the chest, and number "27" on verso. Rare patch celebrating a century since the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with Japan is on left sleeve. Note that this patch, affixed after the close of the regular season for a Fall tour of the nation of Japan, ensures that it was indeed Marichal that wore this jersey, and not either of the other two players (who never actually saw regular season action) who are listed on the rosters as also having worn number "27" this year. Interior collar houses a "MacGregor size 42" label, and an embroidered swatch in the tail reiterates the jersey's "60" vintage. Finally, a flawless black sharpie signature on upper right chest closes the book on a picture-perfect rookie gamer. LOA from Dan Knoll & Dave Bushing/ SCD Authentic.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19685 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
March 27, 1946 Babe Ruth Signed Typed Letter. Charley Weber had his daughter to thank for his incredible baseball connections. Though his good natured gregariousness and the top-quality meat he sold at his butcher shop certainly endeared him to the elite of the New York dugouts, it all began when in 1933 his daughter married a nineteen-year old rookie pitcher for the New York Giants named Jack Salveson. Many introductions were subsequently made. Soon Charley was rubbing elbows with Gehrig and Stengel. Bill Terry and Branch Rickey, who lived in the Bronxville, New York neighborhood where Weber's Market stood, were frequent customers and good friends. A newspaper clipping included in the magnificent collection we present below pictures Weber at a dinner beside Ford Frick and Leo Durocher. But, of course, none of Weber's new friends could compete in the fame game with the sport's greatest legend, the Bambino himself. Weber's 1973 obituary notes "Baseball standout Babe Ruth often spent many an hour in the back of Weber's market spinning tales to a captivated audience. The twosome often bowled together, and Ruth was a frequent visitor at the cattle farm which Mr. Weber owned during World War II."

It's certainly clear simply from this collection of correspondence that there was a special bond between the butcher and the Babe. Wherever Ruth traveled in his later years, whether Mexico City, Acapulco, Miami Beach or Chicago, he took the time to drop a postcard in the mail to his good friend Charley, and Charley held onto them with great affection and pride. The postcards also speak volumes about the Babe and his legendary sense of humor, which is illustrated in the variety of comical cards he picked to mail to his friend.

We are pleased to offer this very personal look into the life and mind of baseball's greatest superstar. Each piece offers its own unique insight, and we invite each of you to choose your favorites, and to bid to win. A photocopy of the Frick and
Auction 702 | Lot: 19719 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1959 Bazooka Mickey Mantle SGC NM/MT 88. Simply the finest such card ever graded by SGC, one of only two representations to achieve the vaunted status of NM/MT 88. The photographic image of Mickey in front of the backdrop of a Yankee Stadium grandstand is one of the finest photographic portraits of this baseball legend. Here it appears with perfect color and registration, capturing perfectly Mantle's boyish good looks. Edges and corners, so often a problem with this issue, are free of the slightest defect, as is the blank back of the card. It's certainly evident that there's a reason no card has ever been graded higher--how could a better card possibly exist?
Auction 702 | Lot: 19575 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1957-60 Topps Baseball Set Run. 1957 Topps Complete Set (407). In 1957, Topps reduced the size of its cards to the now-familiar 2.5x3.5". In addition, real color photographs were used for the first time. The scarce cards in the set are numbers 265-352. Highlights include 1 Williams (VG), 10 Mays (VG), 18 Drysdale (G), 20 Aaron (VG), 35 F. Robinson (G), 76 Clemente (EX), 95 Mantle (VG/EX), 302 Koufax (wax), 328 B. Robinson and 407 Yankee Power Hitters (VG). 15% of the set grades EX or better, while 30% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1958 Topps Complete Set (494). The 1958 Topps set was numbered to 495, but one card (145) was not issued after Ed Bouchee was suspended from baseball. The set includes the addition of 20 "All-Star" (as selected by Sport Magazine) cards. Highlights include 1 Williams, 5 Mays (writing), 30 Aaron (G), 47 Maris (G), 52 Clemente (G), 150 Mantle, 418 World Series Batting Foes, 485 Williams All Star (VG) and 487 Mantle All Star (VG/EX). 10% of the set grades EX or better, while 20% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1959 Topps Complete Set (572). The 572-card effort marked the largest set issued to that time. The cards featured a round photograph with a solid-color background. There were cards issued of the commissioner Ford Frick and also one of Roy Campanella in a wheelchair. Highlights include 10 Mantle, 50 Mays, 150 Musial (VG), 202 Maris (G), 380 Aaron (VG), 478 Clemente (VG), 514 Gibson (G/VG), 550 Campanella (VG), 561 Aaron All Star (VG/EX), 563 Mays All Star (VG) and 564 Mantle All Star (G). 10% of the set grades EX or better, while 20% grades VG or better. Balance of the set and those not noted above grade G/F/P.

1960 Topps Complete Set (572). A popular set, with its horizontal design and brightly colored images, the 1960 Topps issue consisted of 572 cards and included a group of All-Star cards to close out the set as part of the sca
Auction 702 | Lot: 19573 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)
1964 Topps Baseball High-Grade Complete Set (587). Considered by many collectors as among the finest sets offered by Topps, introducing a high-tech new feature whereby the answer to a baseball trivia question on verso is revealed by rubbing a white panel with a coin. A total of twenty-seven cards have been graded by PSA, which add up to over $2,400 in SMR value alone. Graded cards, PSA NM-MT 8: twenty-one cards with 6, 29 Brock, 63, 120 Drysdale, 210 Yastrzemski, 225 Maris, 226, 260 Robinson, 299, 306 Mays/Cepeda, 310, 337, 373, 398, 423 Aaron/Mays, 429, 433 Yankees Team, 440 Clemente, 477, 547 Hodges, 559. PSA NM 7: six cards with 50 Mantle, 125 Rose, 230 Robinson, 242, 331 AL Bombers, 444. Ungraded cards include 1 NL ERA (NM), 21 Berra (EM-MT), 35 Mathews (NM), 55 Banks (NM), 150 Mays (NM), 200 Koufax (EX-MT), 300 Aaron (NM-MT), 460 Gibson (NM), 541 Niekro (NM). Grades 60% NM to NM-MT, 30% EX-MT, 10% EX.
Auction 702 | Lot: 19588 | May 14, 2005

Sold For: Sign-in or
Join (free & quick)

1

2 3 4 5 6

Results per page: 24 48 72