A mix of vintage sports cards, autographs and memorabilia come to the table next month as Mastro Auctions hosts its Classic Collector sale.
Mastro Auctions will kick off 2009 with a February Classic Collector auction. The sale will begin on February 16 and concluded on February 25 and 26. The Classic Collector auction will feature over 1,600 lots, each with an opening bid of $100.
“Despite the challenging economic environment that surfaced in 2009, Sports and Americana collectibles appear to be weathering the storm well,” said Doug Allen, COO and President of Mastro Auctions. “During the last part of 2008, prices realized, as well as bidding remained strong in our sales events. Our outlook for 2009 is optimistic and we are busy accepting preparing for our upcoming Classic Collector auction, along with accepting consignments for most of our sales through 2009.”
Specific highlights include:
SPORTS MEMORABILIA
BASEBALLS – SINGLE AND MULTI-SIGNED
Babe Ruth Single Signed Ball – "1927 World Champions" Notation
Ruth’s name was synonymous with all that was good with the game. Hence, it’s no coincidence that the Bambino’s autograph was sought more often than any other player’s penning. This unofficial sphere showcases Ruth’s black fountain pen sweet spot autograph. Ruth’s signature technically rates "2". The moderately soiled sphere bears a bolder, black ink notation on its east panel (in an unknown hand) that reads "1927 World Champions"—one admirer’s tribute to "Murderer’s Row."
Paul Waner Signed Ball
Dubbed "Big Poison" because of the woes he brought to opposing pitchers, Hall of Famer Paul Waner (1903-1965) hit at an impressive .333 clip through 20 seasons in the big leagues. The offered ball features Waner’s clean, blue fountain pen signature ("7-8") on a side panel.
May 12, 1962 Sandy Koufax vs. Bob Gibson Inscribed Game Used Victory Baseball
When the Los Angeles Dodgers traveled to Sportsman’s Park III to face the St. Louis Cardinals on May 12, 1962, the starting pitchers were Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax for the Dodgers, and Bob Gibson for the Cards. Four hours and fifty-eight minutes later, the Cardinals were victorious. Here offered is the ONL (Giles) victory ball from that fifteen-inning contest. The sphere is covered in various statistics from that memorable game.
1951 New York Yankees World Champions Team Signed Ball (24 Signatures) Including DiMaggio and Mantle
1931-1932 New York Yankees Team Signed Ball (15 Signatures) Including Ruth and Gehrig
1960 Pittsburgh Pirates World Champions Team Signed Ball (29 Signatures) Including Roberto Clemente
1938 New York Yankees World Champions Team Signed Ball (29 Signatures) Including Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio
VINTAGE BASEBALL CARDS
1922 Wm. Paterson #13 Tris Speaker – SGC 50 VG/EX 4
This is the only example at its tier (with none graded higher) among a total of just two copies recorded in SGC’s census reporting. It is a very scarce, Canadian-issue "type" collectible.
1933 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig – SGC 50 VG/EX 4
1888 N162 Goodwin "Champions" King Kelly – SGC 30 GD 2
1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb, Portrait, Red Background – SGC 40 VG 3
Rare 1909-11 T206 White Border Joe Tinker, Bat On Shoulder, Uzit Reverse – SGC 10 PR 1
This card is a delight for the specialist collector. It is a desirable rarity, with undeniable physical faults overwhelmed by a boldly blue-printed and extremely rare "Uzit" designation on the back.
1935 R321 Goudey 4-in-1 PSA-Graded Complete Set (36)
The issue incorporates one of a very few commercial renderings of Babe Ruth—as a member of the Boston Braves—from the twilight of his legendary career. Includes: PSA EX-MT 6: 4 cards; PSA EX+ 5.5: 3 cards; PSA EX 5: 16 cards; PSA VG-EX+ 4.5: 1 card,; PSA VG-EX 4: 10 cards; PSA VG+ 3.5: 1 card; and PSA GD 2: 1 card, Benge/Fitzimmons/Koenig/Zachary.
BASEBALL BATS
Thurman Munson 1979 H&B Game Used Bat – PSA 5
Thurmon Munson used this 35", 30-oz. H&B bat during the 1979 season. The signature model, "S44" model lumber is uncracked, shows checking at the back and front barrels, and bears a small chip at the knob. Ball marks are present about the barrel, and blue racks marks can be seen at the back barrel location.
Mickey Mantle 1961-1963 H&B Game Issued Bat – PSA 4
This 35", 33-oz. H&B bat was issued to Mickey Mantle for use during the 1961-1963 labeling period. All aspects of this unused, "K55" model lumber are consistent with bats ordered by the New York Yankees from 1961-1963. The "K55" model was ordered frequently by Mantle during his career.
Stan Musial Single Signed Bats Collection (64)
A collection of 64 store model bats, each boldly penned along the barrel by diamond legend Stan Musial. The vast majority of the bats are signed in either blue or black Sharpie, and the brilliant scriptings generally project "9-10" strength.
BASEBALL AUTOGRAPHS
Jimmie Foxx Signed Index Card – PSA/DNA GEM MT 10
Blue fountain pen signature ("Jimmie Foxx") resides on the unlined front side of this 3" x 5" index card. (A collector’s handwritten plea for Foxx’s autograph appears on the card’s back.)
Babe Ruth Signed Profile Photograph
The "Sultan of Swat" took advantage of a large, blank area beneath his likeness to personalize the image, "To My Old Pal / Jimmy Donohue / From / Babe Ruth."
Jimmie Foxx 1933 Goudey #154 Signed Card – PSA/DNA MINT 9
FOOTBALL
Baltimore Colts Late 1950s Sideline Jacket
This Baltimore Colts sideline jacket worn during the team’s late 1950s rise to prominence. This reversable, wool and twill blend, pullover garment showcases "BALTIMORE COLTS" atop sewn-on patches on both sides in tackle twill lettering. This garment was originally a 1952 Dallas Texans sideline jacket, but for the move to Baltimore, that team’s emblems were covered up by the item’s current patchwork.
Walter Payton Signed Keepsakes Collection (8 Items) Including Jersey, Mini Helmet and Five Different Photographs – All PSA/DNA-Authenticated
Eight items signed and inscribed by Chicago Bears great Walter Payton (d. 1999). "Sweetness" added potent examples of his autograph on a mini-helmet, a Bears replica jersey, and five different 8" x 10" photographs.
1962/63 Parkhurst #30 Gordie Howe – PSA MINT 9
One of seventeen examples at its tier (with none graded higher) among a total of 200 copies recorded in PSA’s census reporting.
Rare 1962/63 Parkhurst "Zip Game Card" Insert – PSA MINT 9
Among more than 100 copies recorded in PSA’s census reporting, not a single example has been graded higher.
1954/55 Parkhurst Complete Set (100)
Highlights include: #’s 1 McNeil (GD), 3 Beliveau (VG), 7 Richard (VG/EX), 8 Geoffrion (GD), 14 Harvey (trimmed), 31 Horton (PR), 33 Sawchuk (VG), 41 Howe (VG/EX), 65 Bower (VG/EX), 92 Lum/Howe (VG/EX) and 100 Sawchuk/Geoffrion IA (FR).
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