The recent Heritage Auctions’ Spring Sports Catalog sale was an immense success, captivating the sports memorabilia world with its lineup of iconic jerseys and bats from baseball legends. Among the most notable items sold was a 1920 Walter Johnson Washington Senators jersey that garnered over $2 million. This flannel jersey, confirmed through photo matching to have been worn by Johnson during Babe Ruth’s debut game with the New York Yankees, originated from Johnson’s teammate and had been treasured by Eric “Swat” Erickson’s family before entering the collecting sphere.
Following closely in top sales was a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Sandy Koufax in his rookie season, fetching an impressive $1.8 million. This piece stands out as one of the most iconic in recent memory. Other standout sales included a Carl Hubbell New York Giants jersey from his MVP years of 1936-1939, a St. Louis Cardinals jersey worn by Stan Musial during his 1943 MVP season, and a Warren Spahn Milwaukee Braves jersey from 1954. Notably, a Reggie Jackson Oakland A’s uniform from his remarkable 57-home run season in 1969 also caught the attention of bidders, selling for $99,000.
The auction presented not only jerseys but also sought-after memorabilia like a Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger bat from the early 1920s that commanded $630,000. This bat, believed to have been used by Cobb in his last .400 season, highlighted the continued allure of baseball history. Additionally, a Mickey Mantle bat from 1953, gifted to a fan in Oklahoma before the 1954 season, fetched $324,000, while a Hank Aaron glove photomatched to 1973 drew considerable interest at $210,000, illustrating the growing market for game-used fielder’s gloves.
Chris Ivy, Heritage’s Director of Sports Auctions, praised the auction’s success, particularly noting the strong performance of game-worn items, especially fielder’s gloves, which are gaining popularity among collectors. The event attracted 3,650 bidders worldwide, with sales exceeding $21 million and nearly every lot finding a buyer. Notably, card collectors set records during the auction, with a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded SGC 7.5 achieving a new high at $564,000, and a complete 1952 Topps master set with a PSA 6 Mantle fetching $264,000.
The auction also featured valuable unopened material, including a 1961-62 Fleer Basketball box that closed at $372,000 and a PSA 9 graded Wilt Chamberlain rookie card from the same set, which brought in $198,000. Noteworthy sales continued with 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 fetching $186,000.
In conclusion, the Heritage Spring Sports Catalog sale showcased the enduring passion and financial value of sports memorabilia, emphasizing the historical significance and widespread appeal of these rare collectibles. The impressive prices fetched by these items underline the esteem and demand for pieces of sporting history.
