Memory Lane has become synonymous with high grade, rare vintage sports cards and discriminating collectors will find some gems in the current auction. While the T206 Honus Wagner card often generates attention from the mainstream media, there is another Wagner card which true collectors find vastly underrated. The 1910 Standard Caramel E93 Wagner was issued in the same time frame as the iconic T206 and is highly sought-after. Not only does MLI have one in its upcoming auction, it has the E93 Wagner in PSA 9 (Mint) grade. Memoy Lane’s auction is currently open for bidding and closes September 13. Registration is now open with bidding options available on-line at www.memorylaneinc.com or via telephone.
Just three months after breaking a company record with $2.8 million in sales of vintage sports cards and memorabilia, Memory Lane Inc. returns with yet another incredible lineup for its current auction, which begun August 23.
Featuring items ranging from a 1936 New York Yankees championship ring to a giant Ted Williams ‘Ted’s Root Beer’ display piece and high grade vintage baseball cards, the auction is packed with items appealing to a wide audience of sports collectors.
Leading off the sale will be a true, one-of-a-kind rarity: a 1936 New York Yankees World Series championship ring once worn by pitcher Monte Pearson. Pearson was a key player in what would become the first of four Yankee titles in the Gehrig-DiMaggio era, winning game four of the series against the New York Giants. Pearson’s share as a member of the winning team that year was $6,430. His World Series ring carries a pre-sale estimate well into the five figure range.
This 1936 Dieges & Clust World Series ring is set in 14K gold and presents in a rarely worn condition. There is a chip in the stone hardly visible to the naked eye. The heavy gold diamond ring includes Pearson’s game engraved to validate its authenticity. On each side of the ring are the words “New York Yankees 1936.†It is exceptionally rare to find a player’s ring from the era available for sale.
Memory Lane has become synonymous with high grade, rare vintage sports cards and discriminating collectors will find some gems in the upcoming sale. While the T206 Honus Wagner card often generates attention from the mainstream media, there is another Wagner card which true collectors find vastly underrated. The 1910 Standard Caramel E93 Wagner was issued in the same time frame as the iconic T206 and is highly sought-after. Not only does MLI have one in its upcoming auction, it has the E93 Wagner in PSA 9 (Mint) grade.
Other rare pre-War baseball cards featured include an 1887 Four Base Hits James Mutire (PSA 5), an 1893 Just So Tobacco J.O. (John) O’Connor (PSA 5), a 1911-14 Brunners Bread D304 Cy Young (SGC 80) and a 1911 T3 Turkey Red #9 Ty Cobb Cabinets with checklist back (PSA 5).
Mickey Mantle rookie cards generate instant magic whether in a collection or a top-level sports memorabilia auction and Memory Lane offers an incredible 1951 Bowman #253 rookie card of The Mick, graded an astonishing SGC 96 (mint/one of three). Considering prior sales and the continuing strength of the vintage baseball card market, it’s entirely possible bidding for this card will reach $200,000.
There is always a bidding war when gems from the 1952 Topps set are in the mix. MLI offers an incredible 1952 Topps #333 (high #) Pee Wee Reese. Simply the best in existence, the Reese card grades a perfect PSA 10 (Gem Mint), the only one of its kind.
Amazingly, the Reese isn’t the only gem mint beauty among the pages of the vintage baseball portion of the catalog. MLI will also highlight a 1960 Topps Mantle All-Star in PSA 10 grade and a 1961 Topps #388 Roberto Clemente in the same stunning condition.
Icons aren’t limited to baseball, though. Football fans’ eyes may grow wide when they gaze upon a 1951 Bowman football rookie card of legendary Cowboys’ coach Tom Landry graded PSA 10. Pictured then as a member of the New York football Giants, the Landry card is “must have†for anyone piecing together a pro football Hall of Fame rookie card set or wanting to dip a toe in the investment grade world.
The same could be said for a card with which vintage football card collectors have a love-hate relationship. Virtually impossible to find in any respectable grade, the 1952 Bowman Large #144 Jim Lansford has been the bane of many who attempt to piece the set together. True to its reputation, MLI presents one of the true rarities of 1950s sports cards—in PSA 9 grade, one of only two in existence. Considering an SGC 92 Lansford sold for over $30,000 in one auction last year, there is no telling how aggressive the bidding could be for this one.
Unopened pack collectors have a number of items to target in the auction, highlighted by a 1955 Bowman wax pack (mint), an impossible-to-find 1957 Topps third series pack and a full case (16 boxes) of the scarce 1977 Topps Cloth Stickers.
Thirty years ago, Topps produced its 1978 baseball set which included a treasure trove of rookies like Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker and eventual Hall of Famers such as George Brett, Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, Robin Yount, Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Mike Schmidt, etc. etc. Presented in this sale is simply the finest 1978 Topps set in existence. Rated #1 on the PSA Set Registry, the set is the culmination of years of work, scouring auctions and unopened packs for the most mint, centered examples possible.
Memory Lane happily presented an incredible Babe Ruth single-signed baseball at its Spring Rarities auction and those who missed out will have a ‘second chance’ when this auction goes live. Another high-grade Ruth ball is among the special pieces that will be awarded to the highest bidder. The Ruth ball is signed by the Babe on the sweet spot in very large lettering with the use of a black steel-tip pen.
The Ruth ball is complemented by a personal item from another home run king; Hank Aaron’s 1973 Atlanta Braves game-worn road jersey, autographed by the Hall of Fame slugger. Manufactured by Sand-Knit, the Aaron jersey comes in its original state and has been photo-matched.
Among the other noteworthy pieces of sports and historical memorabilia being offered in this sale are: autographed Presidents photo featuring Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan, framed and ready for display; Mickey Mantle World Series ticket stub display with autographed photo; giant Ted’s Root Beer display piece; rare Albert Einstein signed, hand-written letter dated 1938 and a 1965 Mickey Mantle game-issued bat.
MLI’s auction opens August 23 and closes September 13. Registration is now open with bidding options available on-line at www.memorylaneinc.com or via telephone.
