Babe Ruth was a revered figure in Japan, and an extremely rare postcard of the Bambino more than a century old is featured in Memory Lane’s current Summer Rarities Auction. The 1921 Asahina Sporting Goods postcard featuring Ruth, graded 1.5 by PSA, is one of two known to exist. The other one is part of a private collection that was bought more than a decade ago. The graded … [Read more...] about ‘Wonder of the World’: 1921 Japanese Babe Ruth Postcard Up for Auction
Walter Johnson
Single Signed Walter Johnson Ball Brings Record $315,426
A single signed Walter Johnson American League baseball with the original box sold for $315,426 early Sunday as Lelands closed out its Spring catalog auction. The price is the most ever paid for a ball signed by Johnson, who died in 1946 at age 59. Signed by the Hall of Fame pitcher in black fountain pen, likely more than 90 years ago, the ball was making its … [Read more...] about Single Signed Walter Johnson Ball Brings Record $315,426
Newly Uncovered Shots of Vintage, Modern Legends Headline RMY Photo Sale
There are images of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle, but it’s an original 1989 photo of Ken Griffey Jr. that’s captured the most bidding interest at RMY Auctions. The company’s October auction includes over 850 lots of sports, news and entertainment oriented images. The Griffey photo isn’t just one of the many images taken of the 19-year-old star … [Read more...] about Newly Uncovered Shots of Vintage, Modern Legends Headline RMY Photo Sale
Baseball Advertising Collection at Auction Traces Game’s History of Endorsements
The signs in Jeff Martin’s office at his law firm in the Washington, D.C., area turned heads for years. He displayed one of the finest collections of baseball advertising, and now some of them are on the auction block. Martin is offering 32 valuable pieces from his "Capital Vintage Baseball Advertising Collection" in SCP Auctions' current catalog, some of them dating back to … [Read more...] about Baseball Advertising Collection at Auction Traces Game’s History of Endorsements
Baseball Cards of Some Greats Who Made History on Opening Day
Opening Day is a time of renewal for baseball fans. Winter is over, and as John Fogerty sang in his 1985 hit, “Centerfield,” “We're born again, there's new grass on the field.” “You always get a special kick on Opening Day, no matter how many you go through,” Yankees Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio said. “You look forward to it like a birthday party when you’re a kid. … [Read more...] about Baseball Cards of Some Greats Who Made History on Opening Day
Signed Walter Johnson Game Ball from 1924 World Series Coming to Auction
His career had started in 1907 at age 19 and when the 1924 season began, Walter Johnson had accomplished just about all there was to do in baseball...except get to a World Series. In an era where there was no prize for finishing second, The Big Train's season had always ended before October. Finally, the Washington Senators snared a pennant in 1924 and now an important … [Read more...] about Signed Walter Johnson Game Ball from 1924 World Series Coming to Auction
Original Photo of Baseball’s 1st Presidential First Pitch Up for Auction
He'd been to three games the season before, but William Howard Taft made history 111 years ago Wednesday. The portly president started a tradition that would continue into the next century when he threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Washington Nationals' Opening Day game. Now, what appears to be the lone surviving original photo from that day is on … [Read more...] about Original Photo of Baseball’s 1st Presidential First Pitch Up for Auction
Photo of the Day: Walter Johnson Debuts His Board Game
When an athlete’s name was attached to a baseball board game, the manufacturer simply paid for the player’s endorsement and the use of his image. Walter Johnson was willing to sit down and play it with a youngster or two. A mid-1920s image showing Johnson in promotional mode at the annual American Toy Fair in New York City is the RMY Auctions Photo of the Day. The 6 … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Walter Johnson Debuts His Board Game
“Dear Friend Walter:” Letter from Cy Young to Walter Johnson Coming to Auction
Walter Johnson and Cy Young have 928 career victories between them, and each was dominant pitchers in their eras. As Johnson was winding up his Hall of Fame pitching career in 1927, the Washington Senators decided to have a day to honor the “Big Train,” who joined the squad in 1907. On Aug. 2, 1927 — 20 years to the day after he made his major league debut — Johnson was … [Read more...] about “Dear Friend Walter:” Letter from Cy Young to Walter Johnson Coming to Auction
Congrats and Good Luck, Walter: Johnson-Ruppert Photo from 1925 Opener
It had been a long time coming but on Opening Day, 1925, Walter Johnson came to Yankee Stadium as a World Series champion. News photographers were there on April 14, 1925, capturing a pre-game handshake between the great pitcher and Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert. There's no doubt Ruppert coveted Johnson, who had been a thorn in the Yankees' side for years and … [Read more...] about Congrats and Good Luck, Walter: Johnson-Ruppert Photo from 1925 Opener