LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. – A pair of iconic pre-war baseball cards led the bidding in SCP Auctions’ 2016 Mid-Summer Classic online auction that closed for bidding on August 21. The top card, which sold for an astounding $667,189, is one of only two examples of the legendary 1909 E90-1 Joe Jackson American Caramel card graded NM-MT 8 by third-party authenticator PSA Cards with none graded higher.
Jackson’s E90-1 representation is one of just a handful of Joe Jackson cards issued during his playing days and is indisputably recognized as his rookie card. The second card, a 1909-11 T206 tobacco issue of Detroit Tigers Hall of Fame center fielder Ty Cobb, is one of the hobby’s finest of “The Georgia Peach” from the most celebrated card set of the era issued at the peak of Cobb’s dominance. The beautifully preserved card, which received a grade of “Mint 9” from PSA Cards, sold for $488,425.
”We are thrilled with the results of our biggest Summer auction to date,” said SCP Auctions’ Vice President Dan Imler. “The market for ‘best of the best’ sports cards and historic memorabilia continues to show incredible strength.”
The overall auction, which featured 1,262 lots including 134 from the Walter Alston Estate Collection and 72 more from Milwaukee Brewers’ icon Robin Yount’s personal collection, brought in a total of $5.1 million. Other top bids included a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card (#149), $137,848; a 1973 Hank Aaron Atlanta Braves game worn and signed home jersey and 1974 pants, $97,508; a 1965 Topps Joe Namath rookie card (#122), $91,137; and a circa 1968-71 Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings game-worn and signed jersey of the recently deceased NHL Hall of Famer, which sold for $85,592.
The Walter Alston Estate Collection was led by the sale of the late Hall of Fame manager’s 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series championship ring, which went for $70,737, and Roy Campanella’s 1950’s game worn catcher’s gear, which sold for $44,401. In addition, Alston’s 1965 L.A. Dodgers World Series championship ring fetched $25,724, while his 1959 and ‘63 L.A. Dodgers World Series rings both captured $23,385 each.
The Robin Yount Collection, meanwhile, was led the sale of two coveted pieces from the Hall of Famer’s impressive career: his signed and game-used “3000th Hit” bat ($48,841) and signed and game-used “3000th Hit” baseball ($34,176), both achieved on Sept. 9, 1992, at Milwaukee County Stadium versus the Cleveland Indians. Said Yount: “I’m extremely pleased and flattered by the results of the auction. And I’m happy that faithful fans of the Milwaukee Brewers and baseball in general can enjoy some of these mementos.”
All prices quoted in this report include a buyer’s premium. Visit SCP Auctions online at www.scpauctions.com.
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