Making its first appearance in the market, a pair of historic New York Yankees items sold for over $1.1 million combined as SCP Auctions closed out its Winter Premier Auction early Sunday morning.
The top-selling item was a game model bat from late in Lou Gehrig’s career that had been consigned by descendants of his former teammate Earl Combs. Rated 10 by PSA/DNA bat expert John Taube, the 1930s relic realized $715,120.
The Combs family contacted SCP Auctions last month to inquire about the significance of the 34-inch, 36-ounce Bill Dickey model Louisville Slugger, which they believed had been given to Combs by Gehrig late in the latter’s career. Gehrig had already begun to feel the impact of the disease that would force him from the game and had been experimenting with lighter bats, ordering this one in September of 1938, according to factory records.
Another item with direct provenance to a former player also brought a big price. A 1927 Yankees team-signed photo from the estate of former batting practice pitcher Don Miller, including the autographs of Gehrig and Babe Ruth, closed at $444,031.
A collection of historic sports relics consigned by noted composer and avid collector Al Tapper were offered in the auction and netted a combined seven-figure haul, including the original home plate from Yankee Stadium ($303,277); a letter from Ruth to his mistress ($201,851); Bobby Thomson’s cap from the 1951 “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” playoff game ($137,866) and Curt Schilling’s famous bloody sock from the 2004 World Series ($75,330).
A 1978 Thurman Munson game jersey with with a letters of provenance from his late former teammate Catfish Hunter and New York Yankees Museum curator Brian Richards realized $137,866.
A collection of silent game films dating to Pete Maravich’s career with the New Orleans Jazz in the 1970s, preserved by former general manager Bill Bertka soared to $62,152.
Highlights from the trading card section included a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth (#53) graded SGC 5 that netted $58,734, a 1911 T3 Turkey Red Ty Cobb rated PSA 4.5 ($40,115); a 1980-81 Topps second year Wayne Gretzky card graded PSA 10 ($38,137) and a 2019-20 Zion Williamson National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph #19/99 graded PSA 7/10 ($55,152).
Full results are available on the company’s website.
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