Babe’s Last Gift From Yankees, Koufax Jersey Top SCP Catalog Bidding

Babe Ruth’s gold pocket watch from the 1948 celebration of the 25^th anniversary of the opening of “The House That Ruth Built” sold for $650,108 in SCP Auctions’ spring offering which concluded early Sunday.  The price marks one of the highest prices ever paid for a piece of jewelry and a top-10 price for a Ruth artifact.  In total, the auction of more than 1,000 sports memorabilia items brought in $4.5 million.

Other top lots included a 1965 Sandy Koufax autographed L.A. Dodgers game-worn home jersey that sold for $268,664, a world record for a Koufax jersey at auction.  Garnering a bid of $259,642, the sale of Satchel Paige’s 1971 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ring set a world record for a baseball-related ring.

“The overall results of this auction surpassed expectations and once again proved that the market for important sports memorabilia continues to reach new heights,” said Dan Imler, Vice President of SCP Auctions. “Once again, Babe Ruth carried the day. As was his custom, the Sultan of Swat continues to break records.”

The first part of The Newport Sports Museum Collection auction of John Hamilton’s privately owned collection brought in $1,115,942, while The Delbert Mickel Estate Collection of pristine game-worn baseball jerseys garnered $359,389.

Other highlights of the auction include:

• Jackie Robinson single-signed baseball (PSA/DNA Mint 9) – one of two highest graded Robinson single-signed balls – $73,409
• Bob Turley’s 1958 New York Yankees World Series Championship Ring – $62,152
• 1969 Thurman Munson game-worn rookie catcher’s mitt – $62,152
• 1964 Bob Gibson autographed St. Louis Cardinals game-worn road jersey –  $60,667

The buyers of the items wish to remain anonymous at this time.  All prices include a buyer’s premium.  The letter from baseball great Lou Gehrig to Dr. Paul O’Leary of the Mayo Clinic did not meet the seller’s reserve.  Full auction results are available at www.scpauctions.com.

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About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for more than 30 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected]