Goldin Auctions sold more than 10,000 lots of trading cards and memorabilia in 2017 and raised over $500,000 for charity according to the company’s year-end roundup. Eight live and online auctions included several six-figure sales of high-end baseball cards, a Hack Wilson Cubs uniform and Jackie Robinson’s 1955 World Series game bat.
Collectors continued to value rare trading cards and game-used memorabilia from what the company calls “the three kings of the hobby” — Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan. Three current players — Aaron Judge, Mike Trout and LeBron James – also provided some head-turning memorabilia sales.
Goldin’s partnerships with the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the Babe Ruth Museum resulted in donations to those organizations while others aided American Red Cross Hurricane Relief and the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
“This was another outstanding year for Goldin Auctions and the entire memorabilia industry and the ability to support so many great charities made it even more rewarding,” said Ken Goldin, Founder of Goldin Auctions. “It’s apparent from the record number of bids we are receiving in all of our events that collectors are still enthusiastic and optimistic.”
Below are some of the top items and prices realized over the past year. Complete 2017 results are here.
TRADING CARDS
1916 M101-5 Blank Back #151 Babe Ruth Rookie Card SGC70 EX+5.5 –
One of just two examples at its tier (with none graded higher) among a total of eleven copies recorded in SGC’s census reporting. ($294,000)
1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays PSA Mint 9 – One of just nine PSA 9 examples (with only one graded higher) among a total of more than 1,700 copies recorded in PSA’s census reporting. ($245,000)
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card SGC 86 NM+ 7.5 – Among the 400 copies in the SGC census report, just seven have been placed at a higher tier.($134,750)
1909-11 T206 White Border Eddie Plank PSA EX5 – Among a total of 71 examples recorded in PSA’s Population Report, just seven copies have been placed at a higher, unqualified tier. ($119,067)
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card PSA EX-MT 6 – ($82,075)
1986-87 Fleer Baseball Unopened Wax Box – ($80,850)
1952 Bowman #101 Mickey Mantle PSA MINT 9 – ($75,950)
1980-81 Topps #6 Bird/Magic Rookie Card PSA GEM MT 10 – ($74,725)
1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie Card PSA Mint 9 – Only two of over 3,200 PSA graded examples rate higher. – ($69,825)
2003-04 LeBron James Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Signed Limited Edition 23/75 Game Used Patch Card PSA Mint 9 – Just three examples from its edition recorded in PSA’s census reporting. – ($62,475)
1969 Topps #25 Lew Alcindor Rookie Card PSA Mint 9 – Only one higher the PSA Population Report ($55,738)
GAME-USED
1930 Hack Wilson Game Worn Cubs Jersey & Pants – ($382,812)
Jackie Robinson 1955 World Series Game Used Louisville Slugger R115 Model Bat – ($255,000)
1959 Ted Williams Game Worn & Signed Red Sox Jersey – ($147,000)
1959 Mickey Mantle Game Used, Signed & Photo Matched Yankees Home Jersey– ($92,062)
1997-98 Michael Jordan Games Used, Signed & Photo Matches Bulls Home Jersey – Worn on 4/11/98 when MJ recorded his 5000th career assist versus Orlando, the jersey came with a Bulls LOA- ($73,650)
1997-98 Michael Jordan Game Used Bulls Road Uniform – Worn by Jordan during the McDonald’s Championships in Paris specifically the 89-82 semi-final win over PSG Racing on 10/17/97 with Jordan scoring 28 points. Photo-matched and graded MEARS A10 & MeiGray. – ($73,200)
2017 Aaron Judge Game Used Opening Day Home Run Jersey – ($62,475)
SPORTS PHOTOS, RINGS & OTHER MEMORABILIA
1939 Lou Gehrig All Star Game Presentation Pin– The only pin or ring not donated by Lou’s widow to the Hall of Fame, it was given to one of the nurses who took care of him in his final days. It had remained in her family until her nephew sold it in 1989. – ($171,500)
Joe DiMaggio & Marilyn Monroe Marriage Certificate – ($122,500)
2017 Team USA World Baseball Classic Lucky Eagle – The 24-inch tall, 45-pound porcelain sculpture was the “lucky charm,” accompanying Team USA around the country during their run to the WBC title. Signed by 28 team members including Posey, Kinsler, Stanton, McCutchen and Stroman. 100% of the high bid price was donated to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. – ($62,475)
Ed Kranepool 1969 New York Mets World Series Ring ($62,475)
1915 Babe Ruth & Father Original Type 1 Photograph in their Baltimore Tavern — Described as “The only known photograph of father and son,” the approximately 8″ x 10″ crystal-clear image was taken in December 1915 depicting Ruth and his father as almost mirror images. – ($62,602)
1991-2003 NY Rangers Hockey Rink from Madison Square Garden – ($49,100)
1927 Ruth & Gehrig Dual Signed Oversized Photo Inscribed to their Batboy – The 11″ x 14″ photo shows young batboy Joe Glassenberg in the middle of Gehrig and Ruth. – ($36,750).
Goldin’s 2018 Winter Auction will begin in mid-January.
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