SCP Auctions’ 2023 Spring Premier closed with a flurry of bidding on Saturday night, led by some new world records for premium vintage cardboard and a President John F. Kennedy autographed baseball. Leading the way was a 1911 T205 Gold Border Christy Mathewson graded PSA NM-MT 8 that went for $214,579. This mark is nearly six times higher than the previous record for the card set in 2019. Also setting a new world record was a 1922 E120 American Caramel Babe Ruth graded PSA NM-MT 8, which sold for $166,818.
The auction also included a scarce 1961 President John F. Kennedy single-signed baseball from his “Alliance for Progress” ambassador trip to South America that year. The ball fetched $166,818, marking a new all-time high for any presidential signed baseball.
On the game used memorabilia side of the sale, some historic lumber garnered strong results. A 1922-25 Babe Ruth game used bat graded PSA/DNA GU 8.5 brought $137,866, a 1941-42 Joe DiMaggio club graded PSA/DNA GU 7.5 took in $73,409, and a 1925-28 Joe Jackson bat graded PSA/DNA GU 6.5 went for $56,501. The jersey Joe Burrow wore in the Bengals thrilling victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on December 4, 2022 also saw a lot of activity and brought $82,864.
Several rare and historic PSA/DNA Type 1 original photographs saw strong sales. An impeccable 1920 Babe Ruth Paul Thompson home run photo from his first season with the Yankees went for $65,048, a 1947 Jackie Robinson photo from the day the Brooklyn Dodgers signed him to break the color barrier brought $32,310, and a 1946 Jackie photo from his first day of Spring Training with the Montreal Royals took in $29,372.
SCP proudly presented the collection of former Los Angeles Dodger and five-time MLB All Star Steve Sax. A portion of the proceeds from all items in the collection will benefit the foundation named for Steve Sax’s son John, who was one of five U.S. Marines who died in a training flight crash last year in California. Sax’s collection performed admirably in the sale, particularly his 1988 World Series ring that sold for $45,510, and his 1988 World Series game worn home jersey from the on-deck circle when Kirk Gibson hit his legendary home run that brought $22,039.
Valuable championship jewelry dazzled bidders in the sale. Warren Spahn’s Baseball Hall of Fame ring brought $66,734, Don Zimmer’s 2003 New York Yankees ALCS championship ring took in $41,372, and Chuck Knoblauch’s 2001 NY Yankees ALCS championship ring sold for $27,584.
SCP Auctions is now accepting consignments for the company’s Summer Premier Auction. For more information and to view the full Spring Premier results, visit www.SCPauctions.com or call (949) 831-3700.
Auction Highlights
- 1911 T205 Gold Border (Piedmont) Christy Mathewson – PSA NM-MT 8 (Only One Higher) — RECORD PRICE: $214,579
- 1922 E120 American Caramel Babe Ruth – PSA NM-MT 8 (Pop of 2, None Higher!) — RECORD PRICE: $166,818
- Newly Discovered 1961 President John F. Kennedy Single Signed Baseball from JFK’s “Alliance for Progress” Tour to South America (Photomatched to Venezuelan Newspaper w/ Direct Provenance – PSA/DNA LOA — RECORD PRICE: $166,818
- 1922-25 Babe Ruth New York Yankees Hillerich & Bradby Professional Model Game Used Bat (AL MVP & 1st Yankees World Championship Era) – PSA/DNA GU 8.5 — PRICE REALIZED: $137,866
- 12/4/2022 Joe Burrow Signed & Inscribed Cincinnati Bengals Game Worn Alternate Jersey from Clutch 27-24 Win Over Mahomes & Chiefs (Easily Photomatched) – Fanatics Authentic, PSA/DNA — PRICE REALIZED: $82,864
- 1941-42 Joe DiMaggio Game Used Hillerich & Bradsby Pro Model Bat from 56-Game Hitting Streak, AL MVP and World Championship Era- PSA/DNA GU 7.5 — PRICE REALIZED: $73,409
- 1973 Warren Spahn National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction 10K Gold Ring — PRICE REALIZED: $66,734
- 1920 Babe Ruth “Home Run Swing” (1st Season With Yankees) Original Photograph by Paul Thompson – PSA/DNA TYPE 1 (Only One Other Known!) — PRICE REALIZED: $65,048
- 1961 Topps Baseball PSA Graded Complete Master Set (596) Ranked #12 on PSA Registry with 8.07 Set Rating — PRICE REALIZED: $62,152
- 1925-28 “Shoeless” Joe Jackson Game Used Hillerich & Bradsby Professional Model Bat – PSA/DNA GU 6.5 — PRICE REALIZED: $56,501
- 1912 Stockholm Summer Olympics 1st Place Winner’s Gold Medal Awarded to U.S. Men’s High Jumper Alma Richards (Name Engraved) – Sourced from Family Estate Sale — PRICE REALIZED: $53,759
- Steve Sax’s 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Championship 14K Gold Ring – Sax Collection — PRICE REALIZED: $45,510
- 2003 New York Yankees ALCS Championship Ring Awarded to Player/Manager/Coach Don Zimmer — PRICE REALIZED: $41,372
- 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle Autographed – PSA GD+ 2.5, PSA/DNA 8 Auto. — PRICE REALIZED: $37,610
- April 10, 1947 Jackie Robinson Photograph Taken The Day Brooklyn Dodgers Signed Him To Become The First Player To Break MLB Color Barrier! – Image Used For His 1947 Bond Bread Rookie – PSA/DNA Type 1 — PRICE REALIZED: $32,310
- 2022 Lionel Messi Argentina FIFA World Cup Final Match Issued Jersey (One of Five Official Messi Shirts Made for Epic WC Final Performance) – Teammate Provenance, Sports Investors LOA — PRICE REALIZED: $30,343
For more information, visit www.SCPauctions.com or call (949) 831-3700.
