In Baltimore on Friday, an overflow crowd of more than 200 client-collectors attended Legendary’s 4th Annual Live Auction, which showcased 62 extraordinary offerings and exceeded all expectations by generating more than $1.7 million in total revenue. We were blown away to see our customer base come out in droves to enjoy a memorable night, show their support, raise their bid paddles and, ultimately, stake claim to some of the hobby’s finest treasures. What’s more, very few proxy bids held as the vast majority of action instead took place in the electrifying atmosphere of the elbow-to-elbow auction room.
Fittingly for the Charm City, it was native Baltimorean Babe Ruth who stole the show. Several minutes of feverish bidding elevated the “Extremely Rare 1915 Studio Photograph of Babe Ruth and his Father in their Baltimore Tavern” (Lot #17) to a record price of $54,970, more than tripling the initial estimate of $10,000-$15,000.
Another milestone occurred when preeminent baseball artist Dick Perez (of Perez-Steele and Diamond King fame) received the highest price ever paid for his work. The “Monumental ‘Cobb Sliding’ Oil-on-Canvas Scene – Flagship Piece in the Conlon Collection by Dick Perez” (Lot #8) peaked at an all-time-high hammer price of $24,498. And as our special guest, Dick—whose towering hobby stature had been felt throughout his promotional appearance at Legendary’s National Convention booth that day—received a rousing ovation on the auction floor. (Stay tuned for more of Perez’s original Conlon artworks to come.)
In addition, the KENT FEDDEMAN WASHINGTON NATIONALS/SENATORS COLLECTION was extremely well-received, with 9 lots surpassing their $150,000-$200,000 combined estimate to achieve over $225,000 in sales! Anchoring Kent’s impressive assembly were the night’s climactic final two items—Walter Johnson 1925-31 Game-Used Bat ($66,920) and Walter Johnson 1939 Hall of Fame Induction Gold Watch ($56,763)—both of which helped end the auction on a soaring crescendo.
Other strong prices realized included:
Historic Honus Wagner 1900-1905 Sidewritten Game Used H&B Pattern Bat – $250,950
Babe Ruth 1927 New York Yankees Payroll Check – PSA/DNA NM-MT 8 Signature – $38,240
Lou Gehrig 1930 New York Yankees Payroll Check – PSA/DNA Authentic – $34,655
T206 White Border Graded Near Set (520/524) With 5.03 GPA – $107,550
Phil Rizzuto 1994 Hall of Fame Induction Ring – $53,775
Bob Gibson 1968 Game-Used Victory Balls (19) – $17,925
October 2, 1968 St. Louis Cardinals vs. Detroit Tigers World Series Game Used Ball – From Bob Gibson’s Record 17-Strikeout Performance in Game 1! – $16,730
Jose Canseco 1988 “Babe Ruth Crown” Trophy – $25,095
Legendary Auctions would again like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our valued consignors and bidders for yet another highly successful auction event. And we look forward to amplifying this momentum in our robust August 29–30 Catalog Auction of more than 2,200 new offerings!
We are always accepting consignments for our upcoming auctions. To partner with an auction house dedicated to maximizing the value of your fine collectibles, visit www.legendaryauctions.com or call us today at (708) 889-9380.
