Legendary Auctions live sports sale on July 31 drew more than 200 attendees to the high-end sports memorabilia event at the House of Blues. The sale not only exceeded expectations, but produced several record-breaking industry prices, according to the auction house.
Significant items from Bob Gibson’s personal baseball collection were included in the auction. Not surprisingly, said Doug Allen, chief executive officer and president of Legendary Auctions, those items were among the ones with the highest prices realized. “Gibson is one of the most talented and respected pitchers in baseball history,” said Allen. “In addition, Bob is just a well-liked guy. The combination of extraordinary talent and off-field congeniality is a hard for collectors to resist.”
In addition, Allen said the Gibson portion of the auction was fueled by an extensive public relations push in the St Louis area during All-Star Week. “One St Louis local who heard about the auction from our media efforts spent six figures,” said Allen.
The top prices realized for items from Bob Gibson’s personal collection include the player’s 1968 National League MVP Award, acknowledging one of the best single-season pitching performances in history, which realized a final price of $120,000. Gibson’s 1968 Cy Young Award from his incredible 1.12 ERA season commanded $84,000; his 2006 St Louis Cardinals World Championship ring sold for $57,000; and his 1967 World Championship ring, awarded after winning three games and posting a series ERA of 1.00, sold for $54,000.
Gibson’s personal Hall of Fame plaque, awarded at his induction, went for $45,000; his 1981 Hall of Fame induction ring brought $30,000; and an “All Century Team” collection of seven items, bestowed upon the top 30 of the Twentieth Century’s best players, finished at $19,200.
The Bill Hoffer collection was another group of items that attracted considerable attention in the sale. Acquired directly from the family of the Nineteenth Century baseball player, the collection featured extraordinary items enhanced with iron-clad provenance. This resulted in a record-setting price for a non-Hall of Fame player’s jersey. A circa 1895 Baltimore complete uniform worn by Hoffer (including shirt, pants, belt, cleats and leggings) sold for $105,000.
Other notable record-breaking prices set during the sale include the highest price ever paid for a restored card. A restored 1909 T206 Honus Wagner baseball card sold for $222,000. Also, a rare 1903 World Series Program at Boston set a public auction record by commanding $105,000.
Other auction highlights include a Roberto Clemente 1966 Pittsburgh Pirates game-used home jersey and pants from his MVP season, $69,000; a Mickey Mantle 1966 H&B game-used bat, $57,000; 1911 Western Playground Association SGC-graded collection (12 different), $42,000; and rare 1874 Warren CDVs of George and Harry Wright featuring both Hall of Famers in uniform, $39,000.
Also notable were a significant 1895 Baltimore pennant winning game ball, $28,800; Hoffer’s 1897 Baltimore player contract signed by Ned Hanlon, $27,600; and a Babe Ruth 1931 signed letter to a friend, $25,200.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, 708-889-9380 or www.legendaryauctions.com .
