Iconic Memorabilia has launched its first auction of 2009 with some Ruth-related material, a commemorative player’s watch from David Cone’s perfect game and other collectibles.
With spring in the air and Spring Training in full swing, Iconic Memorabilia is rolling out a variety of baseball relics including a Babe Ruth game used bat and baseballs signed by the Bambino for their Spring 2009 Auction.
Highlights include:
-Babe Ruth Game Used H&B Signature Model Baseball Bat (c.1917-1921) Used during a critical period in baseball history in which Ruth single-handedly changed the style of the game, the bat represents the era when Ruth changed baseball from being a Cobb-esque game of contact hitting and finesse to the home run. The bat features dual certifications from John Taube/PSA/DNA and MEARS.
-Tiger Woods Signed Official 1997 Masters Badge. Lappiing the field, Tiger began carving his place in PGA Tour history at the ’97 Masters, becoming the 
youngest man ever to win a green jacket. Badges from the famous tourney quickly dried up after Tiger’s big weekend but Iconic offers one that carries a rare Woods autograph in black felt tip. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA).
– Ronald Reagan Scarce Single-Signed OAL Baseball (JSA). Rawlings official American League baseball signed by the former U.S. President in black ink across the sweet spot. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication.
-The NY Yankees: "Perfect Game" Ebel Watch given by David Cone to Allen Watson after Cone’s Perfect Game (7/18/99)– A stainless steel with gold accented Swiss Ebel watch presented to Yankee pitcher Allen Watson by fellow Yankee pitcher David Cone in honor of Cone’s perfect game during the 1999 season. Watson, who spent two years on the Yankee roster (1999-2000), was 
traded to the Yankees on July 3, 1999. On July 18th, with just two weeks of Yankee roster time under his belt, Watson was a witness to history as David Cone became only the 16th pitcher in major league history to throw a perfect game, shutting down the Expos in a 6-0 victory at Yankee Stadium.
Shortly after his monumental achievement, as a gesture of appreciation to his teammates and coaches, Cone commissioned a New York area jeweler to have custom Ebel watches presented to every player and coach on the Yankees active roster at the time. The watch is housed in a wooden presentation box with, "New York Yankees – Perfect Game 7/18/99" engraved on the glass and a small presentation plaque that reads, "In Grateful Appreciation, from David Cone." The watch also features a custom engraving on the back of the face that reads, "Alan Watson, Perfect Game 7-18-99." (Cone, not having known Watson for more than a few weeks, mistakingly had the jeweler misspell Watson’s first name).
Acquired directly from Watson himself, the lot includes two pictures of Watson posing with the watch and presentation box, and a signed 8" x 10" color photo that reads, "Enjoy your time with the watch! Allen Watson – Not Alan!" To date, this is the only "Perfect Game" watch ever offered to the public.
Other prominent sports memorabilia featured in the upcoming sale include:
– Babe Ruth Signed & Inscribed OAL Baseball
– T206 Ty Cobb Sweet Caporal Red SGC 30 (Good)
– c.1999 Peyton Manning Game Worn & Signed Indianapolis Colts Football Helmet
– Jackie Robinson Scarce Double Signed Vintage Bank Check (c.1961)(PSA/DNA)
– Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus & Arnold Palmer Ultra Rare Signed 28" x 40" Masters House Flag (UDA)
– Barack Obama Signed OML Baseball
– "Babe" Ruth Choice Signed OAL Baseball (1927 Signature)
While sports is the focal point of the auction, the auction also includes items from the fields of Entertainment, History, Music and even Glamour.
“I think we’ve really carved out a niche as being a collector’s auction. From experience we’ve found that collectors, no matter what their main field of collecting is, are always open to buying something if it peaks their interest.” said Iconic’s Prinicipal Managing Officer, Jeff Woolf. “A vintage card collector might be a huge supporter of President Obama and will bid on a signed magazine because he just likes it. We always strive to appeal to as many collectible tastes, and this auction certainly is representative of that mindset.”
Iconic says all autographed material will be accompanied by at least one Certificate of Authenticity from an industry recognized third-party authenticator such as James Spence Authentication (JSA), PSA/DNA, Global Authentication, Justin Priddy/ACE Authentication, Upper Deck Authenticated, or Steiner Sports. In many cases lots will be accompanied by multiple authentications from the aforementioned companies.
Bidding for the auction is now open on the Iconic Memorabilia website and concludes March 21. A full color catalog is also available.
