Heritage Auctions says it sold more than $42 million worth of sports collectibles in 2015. The figure represents a 41% increase over last year, according to the Dallas-based auction house, which also handles numerous other types of collectibles, antiques, fine art and other items.
U.S. Coins continue to be Heritage’s largest category, with 2015 auction totals exceeding $254 million.
“When we look beyond our legacy categories in Numismatics and Currency, the total prices realized in sports memorabilia are the most impressive overall,” said company CEO Steve Ivy. “Our sports department showed growth in every segment, posting especially impressive growth in online-only catalog auctions.”
Among the items the company sold in 2015 were a pair of Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves from his famous 1965 bout with Sonny Liston. The gloves sold for $956,000 last February.
Also sold during the year was a 1921 Babe Ruth home run bat ($717,000) and a 1955 Sandy Koufax Brooklyn Dodgers jersey ($573,600).
Overall, Heritage says it posted its second best ever year in 2015 with total sales of more than $860 million in total prices realized across its auction business as well as its Private Treaty sales.
Comics & original Comic Art is also a big collectors market for the company, with auction prices rising to over $34 million.