DALLAS, TEXAS: Heritage Auction Galleries held its latest Sports Collectibles Signature Auction on Friday and Saturday, May 2 and 3, 2008, in Dallas, Texas. The auction realized $3,683,484 for 877 lots, although after-auction sales are still ongoing and could push the total even higher. “Any potential consignors concerned that the stormy U.S. economic climate might throw a shadow over the collectibles market should have had those fears eliminated by this event,” noted Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions for Heritage. “In both trading cards and memorabilia we saw estimates obliterated in some of the fiercest bidding wars we’ve ever witnessed.” Â
As expected, the top price of the auction was paid for ownership of the Honus Wagner T206, considered the most important trading card in the hobby. “While any Wagner is tremendously desirable,” explained Ivy, “this example was admittedly low-grade, with heavy creasing and ink stains on the verso. Yet the price realized of $227,050 surpassed that of several superior examples sold in recent years. And the T206 Plank posted a result of $77,675, nearly doubling the prices realized for the same grade examples that have sold at auction over the past several years.”
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While card prices were highly impressive across all disciplines, Ivy pointed to candy cards as arguably the hottest of them all. “The 1910 E93 Standard Caramel Honus Wagner PSA NM 7 realized $20,315,” said Ivy, “and the 1911 E94 Close Candy Ty Cobb PSA EX 5 closed at $17,925. Each of these prices marks the highest ever achieved for the cards’ respective grades at auction.”
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The pre-auction buzz surrounding the incredible “Arkansas Find” of PM1 pins proved to be justified as well, as the grouping of nine realized an astonishing $109,940 in total.
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Yet again, it was game worn jerseys that anchored the memorabilia portion of the Signature auction, with Duke Snider’s 1958 Los Angeles Dodgers jersey and “Pistol Pete” Maravich’s rookie shirt realizing $65,725 and $50,788 respectively. Ivy also pointed to strong results for Bob Gibson and Freddie Lindstrom gamers, saying “Hall of Fame flannels provided some of the biggest fireworks of the auction session.”
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Autograph collectors likewise turned out in force, providing magnificent prices throughout the auction. “The incredible Jackie Robinson letter announcing his retirement garnered $22,705,” noted Ivy, “and a Babe Ruth signed bat climbed even higher, to $28,680.” Ivy also referenced the price of $22,705 for a Hall of Fame plaque signed by Jesse Burkett, “by far the highest price ever paid for a single autographed Artvue postcard in sports auction history.”
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Other highlights of the auction included:
1869 Peck & Snyder Cincinnati Red Stockings Trade Card PSA Authentic.
http://www.HA.com/9709*19001?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $22,705
“This result has only been topped once in auction history,” said Ivy, “and that was by a card that had not been trimmed as this example had been.”
1911 Bishop & Co. PCL Type 1 (E100) Buck Weaver.
http://www.HA.com/9709*19042?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $14,340
“According to our records, this is the first time an E100 has even approached, much less exceeded, the $10,000 mark,” Ivy explained.
1933 Goudey Baseball High Grade Near Set (238/239).
http://www.HA.com/9709*19087?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $77,675
“One of the highest prices ever realized for this gorgeous gum set,” noted Ivy.
1953 Topps Baseball High Grade Complete Set (274).
http://www.HA.com/9709*19157?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $41,825
“This was one of the top five prices ever achieved for a ’53 Topps set,” Ivy said.Â
1973 Topps Comics Test Issue High Grade Complete Set (24).
http://www.HA.com/9709*19305?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $20,315
“Once again Heritage proves what it can do with highly rare pieces,” stated Ivy. “Only one other such set has sold at a major auction house in recent years, and this was the greater price.”
1961 Phil Goyette York Peanut Butter Glass.
http://www.HA.com/709*19747?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $17,925
“There wasn’t a jaw in the auction room that wasn’t on the floor when the hammer fell on this lot,” said Ivy.
Circa 1947 Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball, PSA NM-MT+ 8.5.
http://www.HA.com/709*19342?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $50,788
“A stunning Babe Ruth single, worthy of a stunning price realized,” said Ivy.
1932 New York Yankees Team Signed Baseball.
http://www.HA.com/709*19503?type=auctionreport-go022407c
PRICE REALIZED: $23,900
“A price topped only once, at the famed Barry Halper auction in 1999,” Ivy noted.
For more information about Heritage’s auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit our Permanent Auction Archives at www.HA.com.
To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.
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