SCP Auctions’ 2020 Summer Premier is off and running with the newly discovered 1914 Texas Tommy Joe Jackson and Ty Cobb cards, a signed Jackie Robinson bat from an important season and the highest dual-graded Michael Jordan signed 1986-87 Fleer rookie card leading the way.
A total of 465 lots are in the auction, which is set to run through Friday, August 28 at www.SCPauctions.com.
An old Yahtzee game box stored in a closet for decades was recently uncovered by the great-grandson of an early 20th century baseball card collector. Among the 400+ cards inside were several never-before-seen gems in what is being billed as one of the hobby’s greatest “candy card” discoveries. The highlight was a group of eight extremely rare 1914 Texas Tommy cards including the Jackson–one of two ever graded– and the only Ty Cobb ever authenticated from the nearly extinct E224 issue. 
The high bid for the Jackson has already cleared $100,000 with the buyer’s premium factored in. Numerous significant 1911-29 Zee-Nut PCL and 1922 American Caramel cards were also included in the find.
Three 100% PSA-graded Topps Baseball sets from 1955, 1957 and 1959, with GPA’s of 7.93, 8.0 and 8.06, respectively, have attracted a lot of attention in the auction’s opening week. The ’55 set is already at $73,409 (including buyer’s premium), with the ’59 set at $41,372 and climbing.
Michael Jordan’s 1986-87 Fleer #57 rookie card has been on fire of late, with a couple of unsigned Gem Mint 10 examples reaching $100,000. High-grade autographed versions are fewer and far between. In May, a Beckett dual-graded example (BGS 8.5 card / BAS 10 auto) became the highest selling MJ card at $125,000. SCP has one in their current auction that has 9 grades for both the card and the Jordan autograph. Consignor Tim Gallagher, who owns one of the largest basketball autograph collections in the world, had it signed by Jordan in December of 1986 during a Bulls road trip.
Jordan memorabilia is well-represented among the 450-plus lots, with debut tickets, multiple rookie cards and MJ autographs dating as far back as the 1981 McDonald’s All-American game.
The 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers finally got over the hump against their cross-town American League rivals from The Bronx, giving “Dem Bums” a long-awaited taste of victory. Leading off the auction as Lot 1 is “the only known documented Jackie Robinson game used bat from the Brooklyn Dodgers World Championship 1955 season,” according to bat expert John Taube’s PSA/DNA authentication letter. It is graded GU 10 and includes Robinson’s signature on the barrel.
“Judging by the amount of use present and the attention given to the bat, it is clear this was one of Robinson’s preferred game bats,” Taube claims. “When you add the bat’s impeccable provenance and the pristine autograph, it is safe to say this is the foremost Jackie Robinson known.”
A bat from Robinson’s 1947 rookie season went for $478,000 in 2016.
A Babe Ruth home run ball attributed to 1921 and the homer that historians say tied Roger Connor, starting Ruth’s long reign as the king of the long ball, is also among the auction items. Barry Bonds’ final home run ball from 2007, is up for grabs, too. Recently, Bonds gave the ball his own autograph blessing, adding “My 762 HR 9-5-07” for the inscription. SCP is no stranger to auctioning famous Bonds home run balls, having sold #’s 756, 755 and this same No. 762 back in 2007, well before anyone knew it would be his last.
Ray Nitschke’s Super Bowl II ring is back on the market, having sold for over $91,000 back in 2013 while Rod Woodson’s Super Bowl XXXV ring from the Baltimore Ravens 2000 title season is being offered for the first time. Championship rings (six Lakers, one ABA) awarded to Hall of Fame shooting guard and front office executive, Bill Sharman, with letters from his family, are also being offered publicly for the first time.
A former Knicks ball boy is selling an impressive collection of game-worn basketball sneakers that includes pairs once worn by Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Patrick Ewing and some current superstars.
Other Auction Highlights
- 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle SGC EX-NM 6 – $70,000+
- 2019-20 Panini National Treasures Zion Williamson Rookie Auto Patch – $50,000+
- Walter Alston 1965 Dodgers World Champions 14K Gold Ring – $40,000+
- 1956 Paul Hornung Notre Dame Heisman Season Game Worn Jersey – $40,000+
- 1931 Babe Ruth Single Signed & Inscribed “Mistress Ball” – $35,000+
- 1952 Topps Complete Set w/ All 97 High #’s PSA Graded – $30,000+
- 1969 Topps Complete Master Set (8.15 GPA) Ranked #11 on PSA Registry – $30,000+
- 1994 San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl XXIX World Champions Player’s Ring – $25,000+
- Rollie Fingers 1973 Oakland A’s World Series Champions Full-Size Trophy – $25,000+
- Lenny Wilkens Hall of Fame Ring as 1992 Olympic “Dream Team” Member – $25,000+
- 1994 FIFA World Cup Champions Gold Medal Awarded to Brazil – $25,000+
- Carl Hubbell’s 1947 National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ring – $25,000+
- 1968 Topps 3-D Roberto Clemente (Rare XOGRAPH Proof) – $25,000+
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