A remarkable array of historical sports artifacts is slated for the first Internet auction of 2010 conducted by SCP Auctions, an industry leader in the field of high-end sports memorabilia and cards. Among the marquis items in the sale is the baseball hit by Alex Rodriguez for his 500th career home run. The historic home run, hit on Aug. 4, 2007, made Rodriguez the youngest player in major league history to hit 500 home runs and the 22nd player to reach one of baseball’s most revered milestones. Each of the 700-plus items will be featured in SCP Auctions’ full-color catalog as well as on the SCP Auctions web site at www.SCPAuctions.com. The auction is open to registered bidders on January 20th, with the conclusion of bidding on February 4th. Call (800) 350-2273 for more information on how to participate.
The ball represents one of the most historic home runs ever hit at the old Yankee Stadium and has been authenticated and affixed with a numbered hologram by MLB officials. It includes a detailed letter of provenance from the consigner who caught it off the bat of Rodriguez.
“We are honored that SCP Auctions has been chosen to offer this historic home run ball,” said David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions. “It is one of the most important home run balls of the modern era and will become even more so should A-Rod reach the ultimate goal of becoming baseball’s all-time home run king.”
Also among the prominent pieces in the sale is a rare 1925-31 Walter Johnson Louisville Slugger game-used bat. The signature-model bat is one of three examples known to exist that were used by the man many regard as the greatest pitcher of all time. It represents the ultimate combination of rarity and superb condition, having been graded GU 8 by PSA/DNA.
A vast selection of sports cards will also be featured, including pre-war and post-war singles, complete sets and various groupings including significant cards from the 1909-11 T206 series and the 1952 Topps series – the most venerable issues of the pre- and post-war eras, respectively. T206 offerings include a T206 Ty Cobb (bat on shoulder) NM-MT PSA 8, T206 Sherry Magie (rare variation) VG PSA 3 and a T206 John McGraw MINT PSA 9 (pop 1/4). Numerous high-grade 1952 Topps cards include stars and low pop commons such as #261 Willie Mays NM-MT PSA 8, #314 Roy Campanella NM-MT PSA 8, #333 Pee Wee Reese NM-MT PSA 8 and several tough high numbers graded NM-MT 8 and MINT 9 by PSA.
Other pre-war era sports card rarities include an 1877 National League Champion Boston Red Stockings Joseph Wood Studio team composite, 1902 W600 Sporting Life Cabinets including Christy Mathewson and Rube Waddell, 1910 Bishop & Co. E221 San Francisco Seals (with Buck Weaver), 1911 John McGraw, Jones Keyser and Arras cabinet card (one of 3 known), 1911 T205 Gold Border Fred Beck NM-MT PSA 8 (1/1), 1911 T205 Gold Border Kid Elberfeld NM-MT PSA 8 (1/2), 1912 L1 Helmar Leather #131 Tris Speaker, 1915 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb NM-MT PSA 8, 1916 Boston Store #82 Joe Jackson VG PSA 3, 1933 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth NM-MT PSA 8, 1934 Goudey #19 Lefty Grove MINT PSA 9 (1/5), 1934 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig NM-MT PSA 8, 1934 Goudey #61 Lou Gehrig NM-MT PSA 8 and a 1935 Zeenut Joe DiMaggio (throwing) with tab autographed (from Barry Halper Collection).
In addition to the pre-war rarities, SCP Auctions will offer significant post-war cards and sets in the auction, including a 1948 Bowman baseball complete autographed set, 1949 Bowman #226 Duke Snider MINT PSA 9, 1950 Bowman #98 Ted Williams MINT PSA 9, high grade 1952 Bowman Baseball complete set, 1952 Red Man Tobacco #15 Willie Mays MINT PSA 9 (1/1), 1953 Bowman color complete set with 141 autographed cards, 1968 Topps 3D Bob Clemente NM-MT PSA 8 and a run of high quality Topps complete baseball sets from the 1950s-1960s.
SCP Auctions’ memorabilia lineup includes some incredible pieces from across the sports spectrum, including a 1910 Red Sox/Senators large panoramic photo featuring Walter Johnson, a 1920s Babe Ruth signed and inscribed photo, a 1923 Yankee Stadium Opening Day Press Pin, a 1923-25 Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger game-used bat, a 1927 Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig autographed barnstorming ball, a 1932 Hank Greenberg Louisville Slugger side-written game-used bat (MEARS A10), a 1936 New York Yankees signed 16×10 photo including Gehrig and DiMaggio, a 1944 Dixie Walker Sterling Silver Batting Champion Bat presented by Walter O’Malley in 1971, a fine Babe Ruth single signed baseball, a beautiful Lou Gehrig signed and inscribed 8×10 photo and a 1952 Roy Campanella Louisville Slugger World Series game-used bat (PSA/DNA GU 9).
Additional Memorabilia Highlights Include:
Circa 1962-65 Jim Brown Cleveland Browns game-worn jersey
NBA 50 Greatest Basketball Players Legends Edition signed lithograph
1951 Ted Williams game-used home run bat
1953 Mickey Mantle Louisville Slugger game-used bat (PSA/DNA GU 7)
1958 Stan Musial game-used 2,999th hit bat (Autographed with Letter From Musial)
1964 Harmon Killebrew game-used and autographed home run bat (PSA/DNA GU 9)
1969 Tony Conigliaro Boston Red Sox home jersey
1977 Reggie Jackson New York Yankees game-used home jersey
1983 Baltimore Orioles World Championship ring
Final American and New York Yankees Flags to fly in front of Old Yankee Stadium
1987-88 Larry Bird Boston Celtics game-worn home jersey
1989 Magic Johnson Los Angeles Lakers game-worn home jersey
