Historic Jerseys and Memorabilia Shine in Heritage Sports Auction

Heritage Auctions hit a home run with their Spring Sports Catalog sale, featuring a lineup of historic jerseys and memorabilia that left collectors in awe and bidding records shattered. The auction hall buzzed with excitement as items from baseball legends took center stage and commanded staggering prices.

One of the standout pieces that stole the show was a 1920 Walter Johnson Washington Senators jersey, reaching an impressive sale price of slightly over $2 million. This flannel jersey was authenticated through meticulous photo matching, confirming its association with a memorable game – Babe Ruth’s debut as a New York Yankee. Previously owned by Johnson’s teammate, Eric “Swat” Erickson, the jersey had been meticulously preserved by Erickson’s family in Jamestown, New York, until it made its way into the collecting community in the early 2000s. The last public sale of this jersey was back in June 2006 when it changed hands for $352,000.

Not trailing far behind in the top sales was a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by the legendary Sandy Koufax during his rookie season, fetching an impressive $1.8 million. Considered a true gem in the world of baseball memorabilia, this jersey holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and fans alike.

Among the other notable sales in the auction were a Carl Hubbell’s New York Giants jersey from his MVP seasons in the late 1930s, which garnered $87,000, and a St. Louis Cardinals jersey worn by Stan Musial during his 1943 MVP year, achieving a price of $180,147. Warren Spahn’s Milwaukee Braves jersey from the 1954 season was not far behind, selling for a solid $102,000. A Reggie Jackson Oakland A’s uniform from his record-breaking 57-home run season in 1969 also made waves, realizing a price of $99,000.

The auction didn’t stop at jerseys; it also showcased coveted memorabilia like a Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger bat from the early 1920s, which fetched an impressive $630,000. This bat, with a weight of 40.7 ounces and a length of 34 1/2 inches, is believed to have been used by Cobb during his last season hitting over .400. Additionally, a Mickey Mantle bat from 1953, gifted to a fan in Oklahoma before the 1954 season, commanded a price tag of $324,000. A game-used Hank Aaron glove, photo matched to 1973 and previously owned by a Milwaukee Brewers executive, sold for $210,000, showcasing the growing interest in fielder’s gloves among collectors.

Chris Ivy, the Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, applauded the success of the event, noting the strong performance of game-worn items, especially fielder’s gloves, which are gaining popularity in the collecting world. With 3,650 bidders participating from around the globe, the three-day auction amassed over $21 million in sales, with nearly every lot finding a new owner.

The auction also saw several trading cards breaking sales records, with a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded SGC 7.5 setting a new benchmark for its grade at $564,000. A complete 1952 Topps master set, featuring a PSA 6 Mantle, fetched a hefty $264,000. A 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb card went for a record $63,000, while a Gem Mint 10 George Brett rookie card by PSA fetched $150,000.

Furthermore, high-value unopened material made its mark in the auction, with a 1961-62 Fleer Basketball box selling for $372,000 and a PSA 9 graded Wilt Chamberlain rookie card from the same set fetching $198,000. An unopened 1948 Bowman Baseball wax pack graded PSA 7 went for $138,000, and a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card graded PSA 8 closed at $186,000.

The Heritage Sports Auction not only showcased the passion and investment in sports memorabilia but also brought to light the historical significance and financial value of these rare collectibles, solidifying their place as coveted pieces in the world of sports and collectibles.

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