A panoramic photo of the 1914 Baltimore Orioles including a smiling young Babe Ruth sold for $190,323 in as Lelands wrapped up its 2019 Spring Classic catalog auction early Saturday morning. The 6x14 photo pictures Ruth at age 19, lined up with other members of the minor league squad he joined after spending much of his youth at St. Mary's Industrial Home for … [Read more...]
Big Daddy Lipscomb Steelers Jersey Coming to Auction
Pro football had never seen anything like him. Entering pro football in the 1950s, Gene “Big Daddy” Lipscomb was 6’9 and about 290 pounds, a Marine Corps veteran who learned his defensive end skills in the service. The "scout" who discovered him? NFL PR man and future commissioner Pete Rozelle. Lipscomb had never played college football but became an … [Read more...]
DiMaggio Uniform, Orr ‘Test’ Rookie Card Among Top Items in Lelands Auction
One of Joe DiMaggio’s last game-worn uniforms and the lone Bobby Orr 1966 Topps USA Test #35 graded PSA Mint 9 are among the headliners in the Lelands Winter 2019 Classic Auction. Lelands says research shows DiMaggio wore the uniform for two of his home runs during the 1950 championship season, including his first that year. The company says photos from six different … [Read more...]
Classic Steelers Jerseys, Memorabilia Go on Display
Jerseys worn by some of the greatest players in Pittsburgh Steelers history are part of a new display at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, located in the John Heinz History Center. A dozen jerseys are on display as part of the exhibit, which kicked off to major fanfare on Friday. The jerseys are owned by long time collector Thomas Tull and his wife Alba. … [Read more...]
Steeler Collector’s Quest Becomes a Book
A collector who spent 23 years getting a helmet signed by all 22 players who played on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ four 1970s Super Bowl championships, has turned his quest into a book. Merrill Shaffer is a life-long Steelers fan and collector from Palmyra, PA. His book, “A Super Steelers Journey”, has just been published by Sunbury Press. That journey first started in 1994 … [Read more...]
All-Time Top Graded 1976 Topps Set Sells for $173,066 in Lelands Auction
Packs were once 15 cents. A whole box was $5.40--retail. Little could anyone who bought some baseball cards in the spring or summer of 1976 have imagined that a complete set would one day sell for $173,066, but that's what happened late Friday night when the Lelands Classic Auction came to a close. Of course, this was no ordinary set. Painstakingly pieced together … [Read more...]
Second Part of Clemente Memorabilia Collection at Auction
Session II of the personal collection of iconic Hall of Fame member Roberto Clemente is being offered by Hunt Auctions in its April online/phone auction. Part One of the auction was held during last summer’s MLB All-Star FanFest Auction in Miami. Set to close April 18, the auction will include Clemente’s 1970 Pittsburgh Pirates player contract, a 1973 Louisville … [Read more...]
Lelands Launches Part II of Steelers Auction
Lelands, which launched a new auction partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers last winter, is hosting its second Steeler-centric event this month. Over two dozen game-worn Steelers jerseys, some dating back to the 1960s, are being offered in an online catalog. Among the items up for bid are three jerseys that are at least 50 seasons old, including those once donned by … [Read more...]
It Took Years, But Collector Tracks Down 4-Ring Steeler Autographs
For Merrill Shaffer, it was a mission. As a youngster growing up, he basked in the glow of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl successes under coach Chuck Noll. As an adult, he wanted a special item to capture the greatness of the black and gold teams of the 1970s. Shaffer got Jack Ham’s autograph in 1994 and then set out on a quest to add the autographs of all … [Read more...]
Ruth Items, Steelers Jerseys Among Hot Lots in Lelands Auction
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 … [Read more...]