A pair of items connected with two New York Yankees legends were the top sellers Tuesday in the 19th annual live auction held in conjunction with the MLB All-Star Game.
Hunt Auctions once again conducted the event, which concluded with a live finale in Seattle.
The top seller was a Mickey Mantle bat like no other. The Louisville Slugger model B220 dating to the early 1960s was graded PSA/DNU GU 9.5 but also came with a typewritten note with Mantle’s signature indicating it was one he’d used in competition.
The bat drew bidders from across the country leading to a lengthy bidding battle. In the end, the bat hammered down for $399,500–a record price for a Mantle regular season example.
The second most expensive item sold dated to 100 seasons ago. A ball believed to have been hit by Babe Ruth for his third home run during the 1923 World Series and signed by him netted $317,250 after spending the last 35 years in a private collection. In a decisive game six played at the Polo Grounds, Ruth hammered a first inning home run to right field to set the tone against the National League champion New York Giants.
The official National League baseball (consistent with NL host Giants for Game #6 at Polo Grounds) included the original owner’s black fountain pen autograph/inscription, “Home Run Ball World Series “Babe” Ruth Oct 15, 1923”. Both the autograph and inscription “display perfect formation and style appropriate to the dating period of the 1923 home run,” according to Hunt Auctions.
The auction included hundreds of historic baseball artifacts across all eras.
A 1954 Ted Williams Red Sox road jersey was the fourth item to top the six-figure mark. Carrying authentication from SGC/Dave Grob, it netted $152,750.
“Just as the Seattle region displayed outstanding enthusiasm when we last took part in the 2001 All-Star activities, the 2023 version did not disappoint.” remarked Hunt Auctions President David Hunt. “The outstanding prices realized clearly demonstrate the strength of the market as showcased in the historic MLB All-Star Game venue.”
Other Items Sold included:
-Lou Gehrig autographed 1926-29 Exhibit baseball postcard (PSA/DNA 9 MINT) ($76,375)
-Babe Ruth autographed 1926-29 Exhibit baseball postcard (PSA/DNA 7 NM) ($58,750)
-1990 Ken Griffey Jr. “The Kid” game bat (PSA/DNA GU 10) ($54,050)
-1946 Jackie Robinson twice autographed rookie photographic postcard (PSA/DNA 8 NM-MT) ($29,375)
-1922-23 Tris Speaker game bat (PSA “GU 8.5) ($35,250)
-1926 New York Yankees team autographed baseball (AL Champions) ($45,250)
Complete results can be found here.
The next live event for Hunt will be the 20th annual Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum sale in November, followed by the Super Bowl Auction in early February.
Related Stories:
Notes: Nashville, Edwardsville Shows; ASG Means Business for Seattle Shop; 1/1 Acuna, Gehrig HS Football Program at Auction
Historic Memorabilia, Fresh to Market Vintage Cards Part of 2023 All-Star Auction
Ruth Glove Given to Jimmy Austin Now Has Possible Photo Match
Ted Williams Jersey, Historic Giants Archive Among Top Sellers at All-Star Auction
Editor’s Blog: Babe Ruth Auction Like an Archaeological Expedition
Previously Unknown Handwritten Babe Ruth Letter Heading to Auction
Digital History Company Helps Hall of Fame Bring Artifacts Online
Notes: Ruth Exhibit Planned; Eaton Hands Gamer to Youngster
