Sports Memorabilia Totals Top $6 Million Estimate for MastroNet

Don Larsen's "Perfect Game" collection, $120,750.

Sports Memorabilia Totals Top $6 Million Estimate for MastroNet

OAK BROOK, ILL. - With preauction estimates at approximately $6 million, William Mastro, CEO of MastroNet, Inc, was reportedly not surprised to cap expectations by more than $500,000 at the recent sports event conducted by his auction firm on August 22-23. Only three lots out of 2,052 failed to sell.

"We knew it was coming," explained Mastro. "We went from zero to $3 million in nothing flat during the initial days of bidding." Mastro added, "Considering recent events in the stock market, it appears that more and more people want to invest in something tangible."

Top ten lots at the auction included: Don Larsen's Perfect Game Collection, including the "last out" baseball, which sold for $120,750; a 1927 New York Yankees team signed baseball, $85,904; a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner uncut proof strip, $78,664; a 1951 Bowman number 253 Mickey Mantle rookie card, $65,777; and an 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings trophy baseball, $61,047.

A mint Babe Ruth signed baseball realized $61,047; a 1933 Goudey number 144 Babe Ruth baseball card, fetched $61,047; a collection of W600 Sporting Life cabinets sold for $59,562; an 1861 Grand Match trophy baseball, sold for 58,139; and a collection of mint 1952 Topps baseball cards commanded $52,774.

Action in baseball cards category included a number of significant sales. A 1909-11 T206 White Border collection of baseball cards sold for $42,576; a complete set of 1957 Topps baseball cards, $39,685; a 1956 Topps number 135 Mickey Mantle baseball card in gem mint condition, $32,816; a 1952 Topps PSA NM-MT 8 collection of baseball cards, $32,766; and a high grade T206 Eddie Plank baseball card, $29,079.

Among bats, Jackie Robinson's 1956 H&B game used bat sold for $43,614; a 1920s Jimmie Foxx game used bat went for $39,649; a Babe Ruth 1920s H&B game used bat commanded $32,816; a Satchel Paige 1952 All-Star game bat went for $29,832.00; and a 1920s Rogers Hornsby game used bat sold for $29,079.

Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle rookie card, 1951, $65,777.

Baseballs saw strong action as well. A Mel Ott single signed baseball sold for $35,187; a Lou Gehrig single signed baseball, $26,435; a huge collection of World Series and Pennant winning team signed baseballs, $21,847; a single signed Jimmie Foxx baseball, $19,861; and a 1911 "Addie Joss Day" signed baseball with Joe Jackson went for $18,828.

Also offered were gloves, jerseys and other baseball game gear. An early Joe DiMaggio game used glove sold for $38,706; Babe Ruth's 1935 Boston Braves cap, $35,187 a Dizzy Dean 1938 Chicago Cubs jersey, $32,816; a 1952 Stan Musial St Louis Cardinals road jersey, $32,816; and a Thurman Munson game used glove signed by the 1976/77 New York Yankees sold for $22,152.

Pictures, pins, penmanship examples and other baseball paraphernalia included Conlon's famous Ty Cobb sliding photo, autographed, which sold for $29,079. Also, a 1910 era reach fielder's glove embossed tin sign went for $25,775; a 1934 Lou Gehrig New York Yankees contract, $24,032; an 1859 baseball player's Pocket Companion, $22,660; and a Jose Mendez 1924 Kansas City Monarchs colored World Championship trophy, $16,413.

Among the highlights of Andy Jurinko painting sold were "Sosa's 62nd," $9,292; "'Pinstripes' Classic Comeback," $5,420; "McGwire's 62nd," $4,767; and "Twilight at Shea Stadium," $4,478.

Gridiron goods included Ernie Davis' Syracuse University jersey from the 1961 Heisman season, $33,225. Also, Paul Hornung's 1965 Green Bay Packers World Championship ring, $26,435; Hornung's 1986 Pro Football Hall of Fame ring, $14,578; a hoard of Jim Brown signed display prints, $11,000; and Hornung's 1985 College Football Hall of Fame ring, $8,447.

Among hoop highlights, a 1961 Fleer Basketball PSA graded complete set of cards sold for $38,706; a gem mint 1961 Fleer basketball card collection went for $28,353; a Michael Jordan 1997/98 Chicago Bulls game used signed home jersey sold for $8,210.; and a 1948-1986 complete run of basketball cards reached $6,568.

Hockey scored as well, with a Maurice Richard "Leading Goal Scorer" individual trophy selling for $11,641; a 1995/96 Wayne Gretzky game worn Los Angeles Kings road jersey, $11,208; a large collection of autographed Gretzky memorabilia, $9,496; and Mark Messier's game used skates and jersey, $7,760.

Jackie Robinson's 1956 H&B game-used bat, $43,614.

The boxing category drew considerable interest. The 964 Clay vs Liston judges scorecards from the first fight in Miami sold for $32,816; the 1972 Ali-Quarry fight worn robe worn by Ali, $18,522; a collection of 1887 N332 S.F. Hess boxer's, $10,582; and a collection of Muhammad Ali hand wraps, including the wraps from Ali-Frazier II, $8,108.

In the golfing category, a round of golf with Tiger Woods sold for $39,708; a 1932 R328 US Caramel number 3 Bobby Jones card, $8,745; a Ben Hogan signed photo of 1950 US Open Final round 18th hole shot, $3,892; and a 1920s Dunlop 16-inch golfer figural store display, $3,683.

Finally, Americana action was topped by a wax box of 1965 Hogan's Heroes cards, which sold for $11,641. Also, a photo signed by the five living Presidents, $8,447; a complete set of PSA graded 1959 Three Stooges cards, $6,348; a hoard of 1910s nonsport tobacco, candy and strip cards, $5,829; and a full wax box of 1961 Fleer "Pirates Bold," $5,440.