Hunt Auctions will offer a collection of World Series press pins valued at $100,000 at the annual live auction and appraisal fair at the National Italian American Hall of Fame running today through Thursday. Other popular items in the auction include highlights from Michael Jordan’s baseball and golf career, as well as items from Tiger Woods and LeBron James and other great names in sports.
Over 30 Baseball World Series and All-Star press pins will be sold individually with the most valuable pin being the 1915 and 1916 Boston Red Sox World Series Press Pins each expected to sell for $10,000-$12,000.
A rare Chicago Cubs 1929 World Series Press Pin should realize $3,000-$3,500.
“Coveted press pins were given to sports writers beginning in 1911 as a measure to restrict press box access during World Series games. Years later press pins were used for All-Star games and Hall of Fame inductions and even other sports picked up on the tradition. While pins are no longer used for access, teams still honor the tradition and create press pins each year for World Series and All-Star Games. The collection being offer is a nicely filtered collection of the key rarities in the World Series press pin hobby,” said David Hunt, President of Hunt Auctions.
Press pins can vary widely in price. Click here to check out what’s available on eBay.
There is a piece of memorabilia at every price point for collectors of Michael Jordan artifacts. An Autograph United Center floor board with original artwork should bring $2,000-$4,000, a Birmingham Barons autographed jersey prepared for MJ’s use in the motion picture Space Jam has an estimate of $2,000-$3,000, while a whole collection of golf equipment and clothes used by Michael Jordan individually ranges from $200-$2,000.
Chicago baseball fans can bid on a 1906 Chicago Cubs photograph at $1,500-$2,500 or a 1932 ‘Called Shot’ World Series group of items for $1,000-$2,000.
LeBron James will have a presence in the auction with a game used autographed 2008 Cleveland Cavaliers home jersey vs Philadelphia with a price tag of $4,000-$6,000. A James Hardwood Classics throwback jersey from 2006-07 should fetch $5,000-$7,500 and a signed basketball and baseball should sell in the ballpark of $500-$1,250.
Tiger Woods memorabilia being offered in the auction include an autographed 2007 AT&T National Tournament worn shirt, a 2007 Bridgestone Tournament worn shirt and a tournament hat each expected to sell in the $3,000-$5,000 range.
For the more serious collector, a 1988 Oakland Athletics American League Championship ring and a 1996 Atlanta Braves National League Championship ring should fetch $7,000-$10,000 each and a 2002 San Francisco Giants National Championship ring could be a great buy at $5,000-$7,000.
