Hundreds of pre-War baseball tobacco and gum cards are making their auction debut after a find that’s now being sold through Paul McInnis Auctioneer in North Hampton, NH and proceeds are going to help college students.
The Harry W. O’Brien Collection also includes some valuable vintage comic books, coins and other collectibles.
Harry O’Brien grew up in Manchester, NH, his dad, Daniel, served in World War I and World War II and likely gathered the early cards, while encouraging Harry to continue the collection. Harry O’Brien died in 2022 at age 94.
The collection is being sold for the benefit of the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.
Among the listings are 300 cards from the T206 set, including 48 Hall of Fame players. Among them are a Christy Mathewson portrait (SGC 3), Mathewson white cap (SGC 3), Cy Young bare hand shows (SGC 2.5), Young glove shows (SGC 2.5), Walter Johnson hands at chest (SGC 3), Tris Speaker (SGC 3) and Nap Lajoie with bat (SGC 2.5).
There’s also a T205 Gold Border Mathewson (SGC 3) and John McGraw (SGC 2.5).
The auction holds a complete, newly graded set of 50 1911 T201 Mecca Folders and 80 1930s Goudey cards including two of Babe Ruth #144 SGC 3.5) and #149 (SGC 1) and another featuring Lou Gehrig #160 (SGC 3).
There are Philadelphia Caramels including Ty Cobb (SGC 3), Christy Matthewson (SGC 3) and Honus Wagner (SGC 2.5), a total of 19 4-in-1 Exhibit cards including Ruth/Gehrig and numerous other baseball cards from decades ago, including several from the rare 1930s George C Miller issue.
1910 T218 Mecca boxing is represented inside the online catalog with multiple cards of legendary heavyweight Jack Johnson.
There are vintage non-sports cards in the auction as well. The vast majority of the cards have been graded by SGC. Most will be sold as singles but there are also numerous lots—mostly graded.
“This is a significant collection because of its age, condition, and rarity. These cards and books will be fresh to the market and have never been traded since originally being purchased by the owner who kept them together.” McInnis said.
After the grading was completed, there was another discovery of five rare ticket stubs, two of which were from the first ever scheduled, official game at Fenway Park on April 19, 1912, the same year the Red Sox won the World Series and just five days after the sinking of the Titanic.
There are Superman and Batman comics are from the 1940’s with many grading very high since they were so well preserved. Some of the books are expected to sell for several thousands of dollars.
In all, the auction includes over 500 lots.
Pre-bidding is underway now with a live virtual webcast to be held Saturday May 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM, all on the Paul McInnis website.
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