An iconic 1997 Michael Jordan SP Authentic Sign of the Times autographed card and a fully graded set of 1948-49 Leaf Baseball headline the Lelands 2025 Fall Classic Auction.
The hobby fresh Sign of the Times Stars & Rookies #MJ Michael Jordan is graded PSA NM 7 with a 10 autograph grade. It’s the first to hit a public auction since 2021 and was recently consigned by the son of the original owner. “The consignor’s father gifted this card to him after cherishing it for 20 years,” Lelands stated.
In less than 24 hours, bidding was already approaching $100,000 for the card. To date, only five copies have been authenticated by PSA.
The 98-card Leaf set, one of the first post-War issues, is ranked #4 on the current finest PSA set registry. It includes the rookie cards of Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby and Satchel Paige, the latter being one of the rarest and most sought-after regular issue gum cards ever made. Three variations are also included for a total of 101 cards.
A second copy of Paige’s rookie card—this one graded SGC 1.5—is also part of the auction.
Additional centerpieces include a sealed five-cent wax pack of 1952 Topps Baseball cards – authenticated, graded, and encapsulated by PSA EX-MT 6 – and single-signed Hall of Famer autographed baseballs from the collection of music icon Geddy Lee.
The auction also features a Michael Jordan handwritten high school love letter. A smitten 18-year-old Jordan penned the heartfelt two-page missive to his then girlfriend, Laquetta Robinson, in May 1981 while the pair attended Laney High School in Wilmington, NC. Jordan professes his love to her numerous times. However, he makes clear that she will have to share his love of basketball.
Among other auction highlights are a 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings Peck & Snyder Trade Card – Large Variation (PSA), a Willie Mays 1957 All-Star game-used bat (PSA GU 8), a Babe Ruth single signed baseball (PSA NM 7), and a Roberto Clemente 1965-68 Pirates game bat (PSA GU 8).
Also up for bid are newly discovered examples of team composite CDVs of two (Boston and the Rockford Forest Citys) founding members of baseball’s first pro league – the 1871 National Association – and featuring star players, brothers Harry and George Wright, and Cap Anson, respectively.
The rare cards were recently discovered in a vintage 19th century photo album owned by an elderly woman whose family originally lived in Rockford. Both the Boston and Rockford CDVs were the only two baseball related photos in the album, which consisted mainly of family photos
The 1,500+ lot auction also includes a 2021 Braves World Series Championship ring with original box, a 1932 World Champion Yankees team-signed baseball with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig (PSA), and a 1962 Wilt Chamberlain 100-point game ticket stub.
Also being offered is one of the finest single-signed baseball collections Lelands says it has ever handled. The 125+ lot Lone Star Archive features balls autographed by Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Walter Johnson, Cy Young and others.
Additional auction highlights include:
- 1913 M101-3 Sporting News Ty Cobb Postcard PSA VG 3
- 1998 Upper Deck Rookie Edition #KGS Ken Griffey Jr. “A Piece of the Action” autographed jersey #1/24 PSA EX-MT 6 Auto 8 (POP 1 – Only PSA graded example)
- 1957 Willie Mays All-Star Game bat
- 1950 Robin Roberts Phillies “Whiz Kids” signed game-used jersey – Championship Season PSA
- Jimmie Foxx single-signed baseball from the Geddy Lee Collection (PSA NM+ 7.5 Overall)
- 1961 Topps Baseball #300 Mickey Mantle signed card PSA NM 7 Auto 9 (Only two Higher),
- Antonio Brown’s game-used cleats from his infamous “meltdown” game against the Jets on January 2, 2022,
- Bill Belichick Patriots worn hoodie
- Jason Giambi’s May 17, 2002 “Ultimate Grand Slam” baseball
- 2023 Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship ring with original box (Knights COA)
- Circa 1916 Dick Hoblitzell Red Sox team sweater
Bidding is now underway and runs through March 15.
