If you’ve got quality Babe Ruth items in your auction, you’re sure to draw attention from advanced collectors and Lelands’ latest auction had a trio of top pieces that delivered some Ruthian bids.
A 1931 game model bat carrying a personalized signature from The Bambino sold for $166,796 when bidding wrapped up in the wee hours of Saturday morning.
An extremely scarce program, dated to Ruth’s first game as a big leaguer seemed to fly under the radar for the first few weeks of bidding but rocketed to $61,322 when the auction closed.
Card collectors focused on one of only seven 1933 Uncle Jack’s Candy Ruths that have been authenticated by PSA. The 2.5 graded example ranks as the nicest looking card of its kind. It sold for $59,098.
Another baseball item of note was a top grade 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers team-signed baseball which set a new record for a Dodgers autographed ball when it changed hands for $78,659.
Game-worn NBA jerseys from Naismith Hall of Famers continue to be strong sellers with an early 70s Walt Frazier Knicks shirt resulting in a final day battle that resulted in a realized price of $71,508.
Seventeen items consigned through Lelands’ new partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers sold for more than $327,000.
Tops on the list was Terry Bradshaw’s jersey from a 1977 playoff game in Denver which generated 19 bids and sold for $66,725. A 1978 Franco Harris jersey soared to $60,659 while a 1978 Mel Blount shirt saw a flurry of late bids to close with a realized price of $41,353. Jerseys worn by Steel Curtain members Dwight White and L.C. Greenwood each sold for $33,359, with much of the activity coming in the last 24 hours of the auction. A 1978 Rocky Bleier jersey also topped the $30,000 mark.