Get the latest news and information on Lelands.com now on Auction Report. Lelands is the largest and
most respected Sports Auction House in the world. We have handled such landmark collections as The Mickey Mantle Auction of the Greer Johnson Collection ($1.3M), The Harry M. Stevens Auction ($1.8M), and the famed Boston Garden Auction ($2M total sales). We have also auctioned important individual pieces like The Babe Ruth Sale Document ($99,000), Mickey Mantle’s 1960 Jersey ($111,100) and perhaps the single most famous transaction in sports memorabilia history, the sale of the infamous “Mookie Ball” to the actor Charlie Sheen for $93,500. Over the past five years, Lelands has sold over $40 million worth of vintage sports memorabilia and cards. Lelands is now accepting consignments for there November auction. The consignment deadline is September 4th.
We have also handled important collections of all types, not just sports. This includes The Howdy Doody Auction featuring the collections of Buffalo Bob Smith, Lew “Clarabell” Anderson, propmaster Scott Brinker & producer Roger Muir. In this auction we sold one of the original Howdy Doody puppets for over $113,000.
Lelands has also conducted highly successful charity auctions for the Jackie Robinson Foundation, the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.), and Major League Baseball (where we auctioned “on-site” the uniforms worn in Baltimore’s 1993 All-Star Game).
Joshua Leland Evans, Chairman and Founder
A pioneer in the field, he is acknowledged by his peers as being the most knowledgeable person in the field of sports memorabilia, founded the first sports memorabilia auction house (Lelands.com), and was the first sports memorabilia dealer in America . A child of the antiques business though his parents Maxine and Stuart Evans, he started dealing in 1969 at the tender age of eight. The first legitimate sports memorabilia appraiser in America (Appraisers Association of America); he has handled such important collections as the Jackie Robinson Estate and the Charlie Sheen Collection. He is single-handedly credited for promoting the dramatic rise of vintage sports memorabilia in America over the past three decades.
Michael Heffner, President
There is only one Michael Heffner. “Heff” as he is affectionately known throughout the industry, is recognized as one of the top experts in the field of sports memorabilia as well as being universally well liked. His extensive work in the problems areas of autographs and uniforms has made this young man one of the most respected and knowledgeable people in the industry. He has authenticated tens of millions of dollars worth of sports memorabilia over the last two decades and has consulted for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on fakes and frauds as well as most of the top collectors and dealers in the industry. Heff started his Lelands career upon entering college almost 20 years ago and worked his way up to President and a major partner in the firm. A pleasure to deal with and a straight shooter, he is known for his inscrutable ethics as well as his trained eye for quality and condition.
Keith Vari, Vice President/Director of Acquisitions
Keith Vari comes with a resume as impressive as any in our industry. Both a collector and dealer since the 1970s, Keith has been a fixture on the show circuit and hobby scene for decades. One of the most respected uniform experts in the country, his knowledge on Yankee uniforms is without par. But the thing that makes Keith so special is his empathy for his clients. He will go to the mat for you time and time again and will make sure you get a square deal and are satisfied. All of this has made Keith Vari “The Non Pareil” of the sports collectible industry.
Casey Samuelson, Hockey Consultant
In the hockey memorabilia community since 1995, Casey Samuelson has exemplified his passion, enthusiasm and persistence for the hobby throughout his career. A lifelong hockey fan and Penguins partial season ticket holder (living in Nebraska), he has always been willing to share collecting knowledge and information with fellow collectors. Having appeared in multiple issues of Canadian Sports Collector magazine, Samuelson is revered by many as the authority on Pittsburgh Penguins memorabilia. He has expanded beyond the Pittsburgh Penguins and is helping in anyway possible to bring the finest hockey pieces to collectors. Samuelson also brings an uncanny knack for photo-matching to the Lelands.com team. Without a doubt, Casey will go hard to the net for you in your pursuit of the greatest hockey memorabilia.
