Classic Collector Sale of Sports and Americana Revs Up Excitement for Year-End Events. It was the first in an amazing line-up of sales scheduled for the end of 2008. Mastro Auctions, the world’s leading Sports and Americana auction house just concluded what could be considered a`classic` lead-in to three phenomenal December sales. According to Doug Allen, COO and president of Mastro Auctions, the Live`Legends` sale will occur in New York City on December 8. This incredible event will feature one of the best and certainly the largest privately held football collection. In addition, the Live`Legends` auction will feature legendary pieces of baseball history including many from New York icons. Following the Live`Legends` sale, Mastro Auctions will close its live Connoisseur auction on December 13. And finally on December 17 and 18, the company will close the final Premier Sports and Americana auction of 2008.
`It’s going to be an exciting year end,` says Allen.`We expect there to be some real auction news with the Live`Legends` sale and look forward to the opportunity to provide bidders with some of the best collecting opportunities in recent history.`
The October Mastro Auctions Classic Collector event, conducted entirely over the internet, included over 2,100 lots of Sports and Americana collectibles. Bidding concluded on October 30. Highlights include:
TOP LOTS
• A gorgeous 1876 Washington/Lincoln portraits American centennial bandana sold for $13,200. Â
• A Nap Lajoie 1916-1922 Louisville Slugger Professional Model Bat – PSA 5, MEARS 5.5 sold for $10,200.
• More than a century’s worth of Presidential campaign buttons (378 items) from 1840 through the early 1970s went for $9,000.
• A 1927 Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signed ball realized a final price of $7,800.
• A 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle rookie card – PSA VG 3 went for $7,800.
• A 1959 Fleer “Three Stooges” PSA-graded high grade collection (31 different) sold for $7,200.
• A 1912/13 C57 Hockey near set (49/50) went for $7,200.
• A 1954 Red Heart dog food PSA-graded high grade complete set (33) sold for $7,200.Â
• A 1968 Topps Test 3-D PSA-graded collection (25) commanded $7,200.
• A scarce 1856 Buchanan and Breckinridge campaign banner sold for $6,000.
• A 1909-1912 tobacco card collection (81) sold for $6,000.
BASEBALL CARDS
Graded Single Cards, Partial Sets and Sets
A 1909-11 T206 White Border PSA-graded collection (29 different) – including eight Hall of Famers sold for $5,400; a 1953-1968 Topps and Bowman Mickey Mantle SGC-graded collection (9 different) went for $4,200; a 1911 T205 Gold Border graded collection (13 different) including Young, Duffy and five minor leaguers went for $3,600; a 1961-1969 graded collection (208) including many Hall of Famers sold for $3,300; an 1888 R & S “Artistic Series” Baseball die-cuts SGC-graded complete set (10) commanded $3,300; a 1954 Topps #250 Ted Williams – PSA NM-MT 8 sold for $3,000; a 1955 Topps graded collection (104) sold for $3,000; a 1909-11 T206 White Border SGC-graded collection (9 different) including six Hall of Famers went for $2,640; a 1909-11 T206 White Border key rarity Bill O’Hara/St. Louis – SGC Authentic sold for $2,640; a 1934 Goudey PSA NM 7 collection (6 different) sold for $2,520; a 1909 E101 “Set of 50” Honus Wagner, Batting – PSA VG 3 sold for $2,400; an 1887 N172 Old Judge Cigarettes Ewing/Mascot – SGC 50 VG/EX 4 went for $2,400; a 1933 Goudey #25 Paul Waner – PSA NM 7 went for $2,400; a 1923 V117 Maple Crispette #8 Babe Ruth – SGC 40 VG 3 realized a final price of $2,280; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Cy Young, Portrait – PSA EX 5 went for $2,280; a 1952 Topps #49 Johnny Sain, page bio, black back – PSA NM 7 went for $2,160; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Hall of Famers PSA-graded collection (8 different) including Mathewson and Speaker sold for $2,160; a 1954-1979 Topps PSA-graded card collection (29) sold for $2,040; a 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson rookie card – PSA EX-MT 6 sold for $2,040; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb, Bat On Shoulder – PSA EX 5 realized a final price of $2,040; a 1951 Topps Teams complete set (9) – #5 on the PSA Set Registry sold for $1,920; a 1910 E103 Williams Caramel Fred Tenny (Tenney) – SGC 40 VG 3 sold for $1,920; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Hall of Famers PSA EX-MT 6 collection (4 different) went for $1,920; an 1887-90 N172 Old Judge cigarette cards SGC-graded collection (6) sold for $1,920; a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle rookie card – PSA VG 3 went for $1,800; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Admiral Schlei, Batting, rare “Lenox” back – SGC 50 VG/EX 4 sold for $1,800; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Hall of Famers SGC-graded collection (10 different) realized a final price of $1,800; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb, Bat On Shoulder – PSA VG-EX+ 4.5 sold for $1,800; a 1952 Topps #315 Leo Durocher – PSA NM-MT 8 commanded $1,800; a 1952 Topps #365 Cookie Lavagetto – PSA NM-MT 8 went for $1,800; an 1887 N28 Allen & Ginter “World’s Champions” Adrian C. Anson – PSA VG+ 3.5 went for $1,800; a 1911 T201 Mecca Double Folders Crawford/Cobb – PSA EX-MT 6 realized a final price of $1,800; a 1951 Bowman collection (7 different) all graded PSA NM-MT 8 sold for $1,800; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Tom Needham, rare “Lenox” back – PSA VG-EX+ 4.5 went for $1,680; a 1909 E92 Croft’s Candy Honus Wagner, Throwing – SGC 10 PR 1 went for $1,680; a 1910 T206 White Border Ray Demmitt, St. Louis – SGC 20 FR 1.5 sold for $1,680; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb, Bat Off Shoulder – SGC 40 VG 3 sold for $1,680; a 1952 Topps #1 Andy Pafko – PSA EX-MT 6 went for $1,560; a 1968 Topps Test 3-D PSA NM-MT 8 trio (3 different) went for $1,560; a 1909-11 T206 White Border “Scarcities” trio (3 different) sold for $1,560; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Christy Mathewson, White Cap – SGC 60 EX 5 went for $1,560; a 1909-11 T206 White Border Jake Pfeister, Throwing, “American Beauty” Back – PSA NM-MT 8 “1 of 1!” went for $1,560; a 1933 Goudey #23 Ki Ki Cuyler – PSA NM 7 went for $1,560; and a 1913 WG5 National Game Joe Jackson – PSA NM-MT 8 sold for $1,560.
Ungraded or Partially Graded Single Cards, Partial Sets and Sets
A 1908-1920s “E” Early Candy/Caramel collection (67 different) including many Hall of Famers sold for $4,200; a 1909-11 T206 White Border collection (249) went for $4,200; a 1940s-1960s grab-bag collection (94) including Hall of Famers and stars sold for $3,900; a 1941 R330 Gum Inc. “Double Play” collection (33 different) including 24 SGC-graded cards went for $3,900; a 1950s-1960s Topps and Bowman collection (1,000+) including many Hall of Famers realized a final price of $3,900; a 1950s-1960s Topps hoard (2,500+) sold for $3,900; a 1912 Hassan Triple Folders collection (34 different) sold for $3,600; a 1950 Bowman partial set (204/252) went for $3,000; a 1964 Topps complete set (587) sold for $3,000; a 1958 Topps complete set (494) went for $2,880; a 1909-1960 graded collection (50) including Hall of Famers realized a final price of $2,880; a 1961 Topps near set (586/587) went for $2,760; a 1911 T201 Mecca Double Folders near set (47/50) went for $2,760; a 1958 Topps near set (463/494) went for $2,760; a 1940s-1980s collection (400+) – including many HOFers sold for $2,520; a 1957 Topps complete set (407) went for $2,520; a 1962-1967 Topps baseball cards collection (1,274) including two partial sets sold for $2,520; a 1953 Bowman Color complete set (160) went for $2,520; a 1959 Topps near set (555/572) sold for $2,400; a 1957 Topps near set (385/407) realized a final price of $2,400; a 1967-1969 Topps collection (1,000+) went for $2,400; a 1930s-1980s baseball card collection (1,000+) realized a final price of $2,400; a 1930s Goudey, Diamond Stars and Batter-Up collection (53) including many Hall of Famers sold for $2,400; a 1963 Topps complete set (576) went for $2,280; a 1953 Topps complete set (274) sold for $2,280; a 1962 Jell-O partial set (176/200) sold for $2,160; a 1957 Topps sear set (405/407) sold for $2,160; a 1961 Topps near set (564/587) went for $2,040; a 1959 Topps complete set (572) realized a final price of $2,040; and a 1954 Topps complete set (250) sold for $2,040.
Unopened Wax and Vending
A 1970s Topps complete sets run (4) plus a partial set (1) went for $1,140; a 1985 Topps unopened wax case (20 boxes) sold for $1,140; a 1985 Topps baseball unopened vending case realized a final price of $1,020; and 1971-1976 O-Pee-Chee baseball GAI-graded unopened wax packs collection (18) went for $900.
BASEBALL AUTOGRAPHS
A baseball legends signed keepsakes collection (9 items) including Ruth, DiMaggio, Greenberg and Paige sold for $4,500; a Barney Dreyfuss 1914 signed letter – Hall of Famer went for $3,600; a Babe Ruth cut signature – PSA/DNA NM-MT 8 commanded $3,300; a Lou Gehrig cut signature – PSA/DNA MINT 9 realized a final price of $3,000; a Mickey Mantle signed H&B bat went for $2,880; a Mickey Mantle signed 8″ x 10″ photos collection (11 different) – all autograph grade 9 by PSA/DNA sold for $2,880; and a Babe Ruth cut signature – PSA/DNA Authentic went for $2,640.
BASEBALL BATS
A Hank Aaron 1968-1970 Adirondack signed game used bat – PSA 4 – commanded $2,280; a Joe Torre 1971-1974 Adirondack game used bat – PSA 10 – sold for $1,680; and a Kirby Puckett 1991-1995 Louisville Slugger signed game used bat – PSA 6 – sold for $1,200.
SINGLE AND TEAM SIGNED BASEBALLS
A 1933 New York Yankees team signed ball (22 signatures) including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig sold for $4,800; a Babe Ruth single signed ball went for $3,900; a Barack Obama single signed ball – PSA/DNA MINT 9 went for $3,600; an interesting circa 1933 All-Star team signed ball featuring Ruth and Gehrig on the same panel realized a final price of $3,000; a Ted Williams high grade single signed balls collection (12) realized a final price of $3,000; a 1930s Hall of Famers and stars multi signed ball (25 signatures) including Ruth and Cobb sold for $2,640; a Ty Cobb signed ball went for $2,280; a baseball commissioner W.D. Eckert signed ball sold for $2,280; a 1920s Hall of Famers and superstars multi signed ball (20 signatures) including Ruth, Cobb and Johnson went for $2,160; and a Roberto Clemente single signed ball sold for $2,040.
BASEBALL MEMORABILIA
A scarce 1914 World Series program at Shibe Park sold for $2,040; a 1952 Brooklyn “Bums” Willard Mullin original artwork realized a final price of $1,680; a 1960-1980 World Series programs near complete run (36 different) went for $1,440; and a 1960s-1980s New York Yankees World Series “Black Bats” collection (5) realized a final price of $1,440.
FOOTBALL FANTASIES
A Walter Payton signed “A Legend Among Us” commemorative photographs collection (49) – all PSA/DNA-authenticated commanded $4,200; a 1935 R331 National Chicle partial set (28/36) including Rockne and Nagurski went for $3,900; a Walter Payton signed photos collection (29) – all PSA/DNA-authenticated sold for $3,600; a 1969 University of Texas National Champions salesman’s sample ring went for $2,880; a 1962 Green Bay Packers World Champions team signed football (41 signatures) including 11 Hall of Famers with Lombardi, Nitschke and Starr sold for $2,520; a 1950s college football programs collection (177 different) went for $2,160; a 1960s-1971 college football programs collection (298) sold for $2,160; an exceptional 1879 Yale University team photograph including Walter Camp realized a final price of $2,160; a 1965 Topps complete set (176) sold for $2,160; and a 1952 Bowman Large partial set (110/144) went for $2,040.
HOOP DREAMS
A 1961 Fleer PSA-graded collection (77) commanded $2,880; a 1948 Bowman #69 George Mikan rookie card – PSA EX-MT 6 went for $1,800; a 2003 LeBron James rookie cards collection (43) – all graded PSA GEM MT 10 sold for $1,800; a 1933 Goudey Sport Kings #3 Nat Holman – PSA NM 7 went for $1,560; and a 1957/58 Topps Basketball partial set (56/80) sold for $1,440.
BOXING BEAUTIES
A scarce 1911 T219 Mecca “Champion Pugilists” complete set (50) sold for $2,400; a 1910 E79 Philadelphia Caramel “27 Scrappers” near set (19/21) including four red backs plus duplicates went for $1,800; a 1948 Leaf complete set (49) sold for $1,680; a gorgeous Muhammad Ali signed and inscribed Everlast boxing glove sold for $1,560; and a 1910 T225 Prize Fight Series No. 101 PSA-graded complete set (25) went for $1,560.
GOLF GREATS
A signed golf balls collection (252 different) including Irwin, Palmer and Player sold for $1,680; a Ben Hogan 1989-1994 signed bank checks collection (20) went for $1,560; and a Tiger Woods UDA signed 89th PGA Championship limited edition display – serial-numbered “28” in a limited edition of 50 pieces went for $1,080.
HOCKEY HIGHLIGHTS
A 1910/11 C56 “Hockey Series” complete set (36) – #10 on the PSA Set Registry sold for $5,700; a 1911/12 C55 “Hockey Players” complete master set (46) – including #38 Vezina graded PSA VG 3 – #11 on the PSA Set Registry went for $5,700; a 1936 V304D O-Pee-Chee PSA-graded partial set (29/36) realized a final price of $5,400; a 1910/11 C56 Hockey Series SGC-graded near set (34/36) sold for $3,300; a 1936-37 V356 World Wide Gum partial set (72/135) went for $3,000; a 1936-37 V356 World Wide Gum partial set (72/135) went for $3,000; a 1933 V288 Hamilton Gum PSA-graded complete set (21) realized a final price of $2,520; a 1954/55 Topps complete set (60) sold for $2,400; a 1951/52 Parkhurst complete set (105) went for $2,280; and a 1969/70 O-Pee-Chee complete set (231) and 1971/72 O-Pee-Chee complete set (264) sold for $2,280.
PRESIDENTIAL AND POLITICAL PERFECTION
A colorful 1884 Cleveland/Hendricks Presidential campaign poster on oilcloth, featuring life-sized portraits sold for $4,800; a Thomas Jefferson 1807 signed partially printed document (ships papers) in ornate framed display went for $4,500; an exceedingly rare and unusually designed 1844 Henry Clay portrait bandana went for $3,000; an 1844 Henry Clay Presidential campaign portrait bandana realized a final price of $2,640; a matched pair of 1920 Cox/Roosevelt and Harding/Coolidge Presidential campaign posters (2) sold for $2,520; a collection of 1919-1923 “New York Times – Mid-Week Pictorial” newspaper bound volumes (17) went for $2,520; and a circa 1801 George Washington “America in Tears” Liverpool pitcher sold for $2,400.
NON-SPORTS CARDS
A 1940 R145 Gum, Inc. “Superman” partial set (60/72) – including twelve “High Numbers” went for $3,900; an 1889 N220 Kinney “Harlequin Cards-2nd series” SGC-graded near set (52/53) sold for $3,000; a 1938 R69 Gum, Inc. “Horrors of War” near set (286/288) realized a final price of $2,760; a 1951 R701-13 Bowman “Jets, Rockets, Spacemen” complete set (108) went for $2,520; a 1950s to 1960s non-sports collection including complete sets (2) and near sets (4) went for $2,400; a 1950 Bowman “Wild Man” complete set (72) and 1950 Bowman “Wild West” complete set (180) sold for $2,400; a 1956 Topps “Elvis Presley” high grade complete set (66) sold for $2,400; a 1938 R69 Gum, Inc. “Horrors of War” #196 “Chinese Guerrillas Slaughter …” – PSA NM-MT 8 realized a final price of $2,400; an 1887 N83 Duke “Ocean and River Steamers” SGC-graded complete set (36) sold for $2,280; a 1930s-1940s “G-Men” sets collection (273 different cards) including four complete sets and one partial set went for $2,280; an 1890 N163 Goodwin “Dogs of the World” complete set (50) – #1 on the PSA Set Registry went for $2,160; a 1951 Bowman “Jets, Rockets, Spacemen” complete set (108) sold for $2,160; a 1959 Fleer “Indian Trading Cards” complete set (80) – #3 on the PSA Set Registry went for $2,040; an 1888 N86 Duke “Scenes of Perilous Occupations” complete set (50) – matching yellow-background assembly sold for $2,040; a 1938 R69 Gum, Inc. “Horrors of War” #145 “Lake Dwellers ‘Sell Out’ …” – PSA NM-MT 8 “1 of 3!” went for $2,040; and a 1966 Topps “Superman” unopened wax box realized a final price of $2,040.
HISTORICAL ITEMS/AUTOGRAPHS
A F. Scott Fitzgerald 1920 “Flappers and Philosophers” signed hardcover book went for $2,760; an Orville Wright signed Kitty Hawk photo display went for $1,800; a Robert Stroud “Birdman of Alcatraz” signed letters collection (8 different) – including six featuring “Bird” content sold for $1,320; and a John D. Rockefeller 1888 “Standard Oil Trust” signed stock certificate went for $1,200.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To consign with Mastro Auctions and for information on the next Classic Collector auction, which will be held in February 2009, go to www.mastroauctions.com or call 630-472-1200.
