Ninety years after the first All-Star Game, items representing some of the biggest names in baseball are on the block in what’s become another annual tradition: the MLB All-Star auction.
Now in its 19th year, the event once again takes place on the day of the game, July 11 in Seattle, with Hunt Auctions again conducting the sale, with bidding online and in person.
“Based on the historic attendance and participation the region displayed when we last took part in the 2001 MLB All-Star events in Seattle I expect the 2023 version to exceed its predecessor.” remarked David Hunt, President, Hunt Auctions. “Each season, the MLB All-Star Game brings the very best of baseball to cities and fans across the country. In a similar fashion, the annual live auction showcases the finest historic baseball memorabilia which this year will be highlighted by several spectacular single objects and private collections.”
Among the items up for sale: a signed Mickey Mantle bat dating to the 1961 and ’62 seasons authenticated and graded by PSA as a GU 9.5. The B220 model bat comes with a letter from Mantle himself denoting its model, game use and reference to the years it was used. It’s expected to bring $150,000-$300,000.
Nearly 100 years after Babe Ruth hit a homer into the right field bleachers at the Polo Grounds during Game 6 of the World Series, what’s believed to be that very ball—signed by Ruth– is also expected to bring a big price.
The homer, a first inning blast that helped the Yankees secure their first World Series title, was Ruth’s third of the series, one in which he batted .368.
The official National League baseball shows heavy use, including some apparent impact markings and carries a fading autograph and inscription, reading “Home Run Ball World Series ‘Babe’ Ruth Oct 15, 1923”. According to PSA authenticators, the writing matches Ruth’s known style from the period.
Self-identified primary source home run baseballs of the era are exceedingly rare with very few ever having been offered to the collecting public. According to the auction house, the ball “has resided in the personal collection of an advanced hobbyist since 1988.”
Michael “Mickey” Rendine and “Soap Box” Baseball Card Collections
The auction includes two single owner collections of vintage baseball trading cards which were recently discovered and being presented to the collecting community for the first time.
Mickey Rendine was an avid baseball fan as a young man growing up in the Bronx area of New York. Rendine collected various Exhibit baseball postcards in the 1920-30s era and had them personally autographed by the likes of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Rendine would go on later in life to work in the visiting clubhouses of the New York Yankees and New York Jets.
The “Soap Box” baseball tobacco card collection is a group of over 700 early 1900s tobacco trading cards assembled in the period by a single owner. The collection was housed in a wooden lidded box from the and remarkably once included the vaunted 1909-11 T-206 Honus Wagner card which was sold in the 1970s for less than $1,000.
The remainder of the collection presents intact with dozens of star players and rarities.
Mickey Rendine and “Soap Box” Card Collection Highlights:
-Lou Gehrig autographed 1926-29 Exhibit baseball postcard (PSA/DNA 9 MINT) (Est. $50,000-$75,000)
-Babe Ruth autographed 1926-29 Exhibit baseball postcard (PSA/DNA 7 NM)(Est. $40,000-$60,000)
– Three Babe Ruth autographed 1926-29 Exhibit baseball postcards (Est. Range $25,000-$75,000ea)
-1909-11 T-206 Ty Cobb (Green portrait, SGC 2 GD) (Est. $5,000-$7,500)
-1909-11 T-206 Ty Cobb (Red portrait, SGC 3 VG) (Est. $4,000-$6,000)
-1909-11 T-206 Ray Demmitt (St. Louis, SGC 2 GD) (Est. $4,000-$6,000)
-1909-11 T-206 Bill O’Hara (St. Louis, SGC 1 PR) (Est. $3,000-$5,000)
Private Collection Memorabilia Items:
Several private collections and museum caliber individual pieces will be hammered down during the 495+ lot sale. Most notable among the group is a 1954 Ted Williams Boston Red Sox road Jersey (SGC/Grob: Superior). The jersey descended within the family of a former Phillips 66 Petroleum employee who received it in the 1950s era and is being offered for the first time publicly. It’s expected to sell for $150,000-$300,000.
Other Private Collection Highlight Items:
-1946 Jackie Robinson twice autographed rookie postcard (PSA/DNA 8 NM-MT) (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
-1922-23 Tris Speaker professional model baseball bat (PSA “GU 8.5) (Est. $20,000-$40,000)
-1926 New York Yankees team autographed baseball (AL Champions) (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
-1933 Babe Ruth autographed baseball bat (PSA/DNA 9 MINT) (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
-Joe DiMaggio autographed 1939 World Series Game #3 home run ball (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
-1990 Ken Griffey Jr. “The Kid” bat (PSA/DNA GU 10) (Est. $20,000-$30,000)
-1994 Derek Jeter autographed Tampa Yankees jersey (Photomatch) (Est. $50,000-$75,000)
-3/3/2015 Aaron Judge game worn New York Yankees Spring Training jersey -1st in Yankee uniform and his first home run (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
-2015 Kansas City Royals World Championship ring.(Est. $7,500-$15,000)
Bidding is underway now at HuntAuctions.com.
Free Appraisal Fair
Hunt Auctions is onve again conducting its complimentary appraisal far during the event hours at MLB Play Ball Park. Attendees may bring down their sports memorabilia and cards to have them valued and authenticated by national experts free of charge.
For more information or a specific appointment: E: [email protected] or Ph:610.524.0822.
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