When hundreds of thousands of cards are arriving every week, it's easy to understand why PSA needed to call timeout. The company's recent decision to pause most lower cost authentication and grading work until it can made some headway on a massive backlog of orders means bulk submitters are largely either on the sidelines or utilizing the services of another … [Read more...]
Finds and Revelations: 2019 Sports Collecting Year in Review (Part I)
There were phenomenal finds and disturbing discoveries. Record revenue and sensational selling prices. No matter the month, there was something collectors were talking about this year. In the first of a two-part series, we look back at the last year in the hobby with some happenings from the first half of 2019. The year began in strange fashion with the viral … [Read more...]
Mantle Glove, Awards, Rookie Year Letter to Wife Sold at Auction
While most of the attention was rightfully on the record-setting Babe Ruth jersey and other items consigned by his family, Saturday's auction at Yankee Stadium also included several pieces consigned by Mickey Mantle's sons. Among them was a glove dating to his late career shift to first base. Carrying Mantle's handwritten "Mick 7" notation on the outer … [Read more...]
Babe Ruth Jersey Brings $5.64 Million; Now Highest Priced Sports Memorabilia Item
There were hundreds of items up for sale at Yankee Stadium Saturday, but the main attraction was no secret. One of only a small number of Babe Ruth game jerseys was on the block and early Saturday afternoon, the sports memorabilia world had a new undisputed champion. The bidding battle over a 1928-1930 era Ruth button down road flannel was intense, blowing past a … [Read more...]
Ruth Items on Media Tour Ahead of Saturday’s Auction
Bidding for the jersey being offered in the Babe Ruth Collection Auction has reached $1.1 million but it's expected to go much higher once action gets serious later this week. The 1928-1930 era flannel button-down is one of only a small number of Ruth jerseys that have survived and could make a run at the record for a single piece of sports memorabilia when the auction … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Babe Ruth Auction Like an Archaeological Expedition
When Hunt Auctions first announced that Babe Ruth's grandchildren had consigned items from his life and times late last year, it seemed like a pretty big deal. Most people wouldn't have been surprised to know his descendants owned a few things, most of which were likely one-of-a-kind. What family wouldn't have a few items from a beloved family relative, especially … [Read more...]
Notes: Guerrero Living Set Print Run; Grob on Ruth Jersey; Stanley Cup Puck Auction
The Topps Living Set Vladimir Guerrero Jr. card sold a lot of copies over the seven-day period that ended Wednesday--but it didn't come close to setting a record. Topps says 27,749 copies of the 1953-style card were sold, placing it fourth on the all-time sales list for the Living Set platform that kicked off last season and continues indefinitely with three new subjects … [Read more...]
Letters from Young Mickey Mantle, Glove, Home Run Ball Added to Yankee Stadium Auction
Letters from a young Mickey Mantle to his wife, one of his last home run balls and other items consigned by his family will be part of next month’s Babe Ruth Collection Auction at Yankee Stadium. The handwritten letters were sent by the late Hall of Famer to his wife Merlyn during his first few years in professional baseball in 1950-51. In them, he details his minor league … [Read more...]
Babe Ruth Jersey Could Challenge Record for Highest Priced Piece of Sports Memorabilia
The Babe Ruth Auction at Yankee Stadium just added a big piece of memorabilia--literally and figuratively. Hunt Auctions, which is hosting the June 15 event, says it will be offering one of the Bambino's road jerseys from the 1928-1930 era that is expected to sell for a seven-figure price. The company says the jersey is “one of a scant handful of authentic Ruth New York … [Read more...]
Babe Ruth Family Members Turn Over Memorabilia for Yankee Stadium Auction
Babe Ruth’s surviving family members have consigned hundreds of items related to his life and career to Hunt Auctions, which will offer them in an auction set for Yankee Stadium on June 15. The collection has largely remained unknown to the general public and includes game-worn cleats, two of Ruth's most important contracts and autographed items. High-end Ruth and … [Read more...]