Bats bearing the names of some of baseball’s all-time greats are on the block in the newly launched Heritage Auctions catalog. Lumber from Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Josh Gibson, Mel Ott and Joe DiMaggio are among the headline items in the catalog, which closes in an extended bidding format Feb. 24-25.
“This is really the best of the best,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. “We have the only documented Josh Gibson bat in existence and a 1941 DiMaggio gamer that is attributed with a high degree of probability to his celebrated 56-game hitting streak.”
Including the buyer’s premium, bidding has already topped $200,000 for a Ruth bat from his early Yankees years (est. $600,000+), a late-career game model from Gehrig (est. $300,000+) and a Jimmie Foxx representation sourced from his family (est. $50,000+). Also on offer is the earliest known Major League bat from Mickey Mantle (est. $200,000+) and a rookie model from fellow 500 Home Run Club member Mel Ott (est. $200,000+).
“There are dozens of significant lots making their hobby debut in the event,” Ivy adds. Highlights include an autographed Rookie Era Bobby Hull Jersey (est. $80,000+), a Johnny Unitas jersey that is photo-matched to the 1959 NFL Championship Game (est. $80,000+), the finest condition known 1903 World Series program (est. $150,000+), and a fresh Babe Ruth Uniform worn as a coach for the 1945 Esquire Baseball Game (est. $200,000+).
Six-figure bidding is expected for several trading cards in the auction including a PSA NM-MT 8 example of the 1952 Topps Mantle (est. $400,000+), and Mint 9 rookies from Stan Musial (est. $250,000+), Hank Aaron (est. $200,000+) and Joe Namath (est. $200,000+). The tobacco age is represented with the highest graded card from the Lucky 7 Find of T206 Ty Cobb cards (est. $500,000+) and high-grade tributes to Cy Young (est. $120,000+) and Walter Johnson (est. $120,000+).
Other highlights include:
- A 1923 New York Yankees Team-Signed Baseball with early Lou Gehrig (est. $100,000+)
- A 1939 Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction Class-Signed First Day Cover, PSA/DNA Mint 9 (est. $100,000+)
- Jackie Robinson’s 1949 Signed Brooklyn Dodgers Contract, National League MVP Season (est. $200,000+)
- Billy Casper’s 1959 US Open Championship Trophy from his first major championship (est. $100,000+)
- The 1978 Affirmed Triple Crown Trophy Presented to Trainer Laz Barrera– (est. $250,000+)
The auction also includes several Super Bowl and other championship rings.
To view the entire catalog, click here.
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