Heritage Auctions has once again captivated sports enthusiasts and collectors alike with its Spring Sports Catalog sale, where historic jerseys and bats from baseball legends took center stage, drawing significant attention and commanding high prices.
Leading the pack was a 1920 Walter Johnson Washington Senators jersey that stole the show, fetching a staggering $2 million. This flannel jersey, authenticated through photo matching, was worn by Johnson during Babe Ruth’s first game with the New York Yankees. Previously owned by Johnson’s teammate Eric “Swat” Erickson, the jersey had been carefully preserved by Erickson’s family before entering the collecting world in the early 2000s, marking a significant increase in value since its last sale in 2006 for $352,000.
Not to be outdone, a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Sandy Koufax during his rookie season made waves in the auction, selling for an impressive $1.8 million. This iconic piece stands as one of the most sought-after baseball memorabilia items in recent years, capturing the essence of Koufax’s legendary career.
Several other notable sales included Carl Hubbell’s New York Giants jersey from his MVP seasons of 1936-1939, which fetched $87,000, a St. Louis Cardinals jersey worn by Stan Musial during his 1943 MVP season that sold for $180,147, Warren Spahn’s Milwaukee Braves jersey from the 1954 season that went for $102,000, and a Reggie Jackson Oakland A’s uniform from his record-setting 57-home run season in 1969 that realized $99,000.
The auction also featured standout memorabilia pieces such as a Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger bat from the early 1920s, which commanded $630,000, believed to have been used during Cobb’s last season hitting over .400. Additionally, a Mickey Mantle bat from 1953 gifted to a fan in Oklahoma before the 1954 season garnered $324,000, and a Hank Aaron glove photomatched to 1973 sold for $210,000, showcasing the growing market interest in game-used fielder’s gloves.
Chris Ivy, the Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, praised the success of the auction, particularly noting the strong performance of game-worn items, especially fielder’s gloves, reflecting the increasing appeal among collectors worldwide.
With 3,650 bidders participating from across the globe, the three-day event generated over $21 million in sales, with nearly every lot finding a new owner. The auction also witnessed several cards breaking records, including a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded SGC 7.5 setting a new record at $564,000, a complete 1952 Topps master set with a PSA 6 Mantle fetching $264,000, a 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb card selling for $63,000, and a Gem Mint 10 George Brett rookie card realizing $150,000.
Furthermore, the auction featured valuable unopened material, such as a 1961-62 Fleer Basketball box closing at $372,000, a PSA 9 Wilt Chamberlain rookie card from the same set fetching $198,000, a 1948 Bowman Baseball unopened wax pack graded PSA 7 selling for $138,000, and a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card graded PSA 8 going for $186,000.
In conclusion, the Heritage Sports Auction not only celebrated the love and investment in sports memorabilia but also underscored the historical importance and financial value associated with these rare collectibles, solidifying their enduring appeal in the world of sports collectibles.
