Auction closes August 19. Please note that winning bidders in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia are subject to the appropriate sales tax.
(845) 750-6366 | www.loveofthegameauctions.com SUMMER 2023 PREMIER AUCTION CLOSES AUGUST 19, 2023
THE HOBBY LOST TWO OF ITS BEST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS, AND I WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THEM. Paul Howard was a football collector with an incredible eye for beautiful, high-grade cards from the 1960s. He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I met him on the CU message boards in the early 2000s; his handle was “Wolfbear” because his daughter told him that he looked like a combination of a wolf and a bear (which he did). Wolfie was a tall guy, maybe even taller than me, with a passion for music (specifically Pearl Jam), and a devotion to his family. And boy, did he make me laugh. He made everybody laugh, actually, we would sit in the hotel lobby bar at the National each year and just talk, and by the end of the night we’d all be exhausted from laughter. I can’t really tell you any of Wolfie’s one-liners, many aren’t appropriate for mixed company and the ones that are require so much setup that you wouldn’t get it. Suffice to say that the longer you hung out with Wolfie, the harder you’d laugh. George Leveilee was a collector of 1967 Topps baseball, and also of T206. Though he was building a nice T206 set, condition wasn’t that important to him; he was happy to be part of the hobby and enjoyed the camaraderie that comes with it. He was a sweet, gentle guy, and he was crazy about his family, especially his daughter. Once, I was set up at the White Plains show, and George came over to say hello. We were chatting about our families - my son was about to go off to college, and George’s daughter was in the midst of some great academic achievements. We were simultaneously bragging about our kids and talking about how much we were going to miss them when they went away. Pretty soon, the two of us were standing there in the middle of a card show, surrounded by collectors, tears streaming down our faces.
with each of them, talking and laughing. I have years of memories of both of them, which I will treasure more than any piece of sports memorabilia I will ever own. I’m going to miss them both terribly. You’re holding in your hands an auction catalog that is filled with unique pieces. With each auction, Love of the Game continues to assert itself as a leading source for esoteric, unique and seldom-seen items. And that’s great, I’m proud to own a company that can deliver that kind of material to hobbyists in an ethical, trustworthy way. But more importantly, I hope that your love of this kind of material draws you to other folks that you can call your “chosen family.” Those hobby relationships, they’re worth more than all the triple logomen put together. And that is the kind of “white whale” that’s worth tracking down.
Which, of course, made us both laugh. There’s a lot to love about our hobby, especially recently. Sale prices are through the roof because there are so many new collectors learning about the vintage end of the hobby. The increase in sale prices are resulting in new collections and discoveries revealing themselves, helping hobbyists find their “white whales.” The renewed interest in the hobby has resulted in a host of new businesses and service providers that are providing lots of new resources that we previously never had. Grading companies have become better funded and are beginning to remedy longstanding operational shortcomings. The hobby is in a pretty good place. But the most important part of the hobby will always be people . If it wasn’t for the hobby, I would have never met Wolfie and George. My life is so much better because I did. I never bought a card from either guy, or made a trade with them. We didn’t even collect the same things. But I spent hours
Warmest wishes, Al Crisafulli Auction Director
SUMMER 2023 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES AUGUST 19, 2023 1
AUCTION TERMS AND CONDITIONS ABOUT OUR AUCTION
Please bear this in mind when bidding. WE DO NOT SHIP IN PADDED ENVELOPES, EXCEPT UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCE INDICATED ABOVE. We generally ship in corrugated boxes, typically wrapped in heavy-duty bubble wrap with other ultra- protective packaging inside. As a result, we cannot reduce your shipping cost. It’s expensive to ship! 5. Residents of Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia are subject to sales tax on purchases unless we have a valid resale certificate on file. We reserve the right to modify our sales tax policies, even mid-auction, as the laws and our responsibilities are currently changing. 6. We accept Paypal, Check or Money Order. We do not accept direct credit card payment, though you can pay by credit card through PayPal. By special arrangement we can accept payment by wire transfer. There is an additional fee of $10 per wire transfer under $10,000. REGISTRATION AND CONSIGNMENT 7. In order to bid, you must be a registered bidder. In order to register, visit www.loveofthegameauctions.com and complete the bidder registration. Bidders are required to provide at least one hobby reference in order to register, and registrations are approved manually by management. Thanks to some non- paying bidders, we no longer accept registrations the day of the auction, because we cannot check references when other businesses are closed. Also please note that if “eBay” is your hobby reference, you must provide your eBay ID. By “hobby reference,” we are referring to an individual business entity (for instance, card dealer, auction house, etc) with whom you have done business as a buyer. All registrants must be 18 years of age. Love of the Game reserves the right to refuse any bidder registration or any consignment, for any reason. Registering to bid means you agree to these terms and conditions. 8. Bids can be placed online at www.loveofthegameauctions.com by registered bidders, or by phone at (845) 750-6366. Phone bids will be made by proxy, by Love of The Game Auctions staff acting on your behalf as quickly as possible. We promise that we will execute these bids as quickly as possible but cannot take responsibility for internet bids that are placed by other users prior to executing a telephone bid. We also cannot take responsibility for busy phone signals or slow internet connections. 9. We reserve the right to withdraw any item from the auction at any time during the auction, for any reason. This includes after the close of the auction, in the event that there are issues or questions with title, authenticity, clerical error, untimely bid, untimely payment, or other issues related to human or mechanical error. 10. Love of the Game Auctions wishes to conduct a reputable auction with reputable collectors and consignors. As such, Love of the Game Auctions reserves the right to refuse to accept bids or approve bidders for any reason. Similarly, Love of the Game Auctions reserves the right to refuse or withdraw consignments for any reason. PARTICIPATION IN THE AUCTION 11. A bid is a financial commitment, and bidders are responsible for the accuracy of their bids. Once you place a bid, it cannot be retracted. If you’ve got questions about how to bid, please contact us PRIOR TO PLACING YOUR BID. Bidder error does not constitute a reason to retract bids, nor does a lack of understanding of the auction rules. You are required to read and agree to these rules prior to placing a bid. If you have a question, please ask before bidding. YOUR BIDS MAY NOT BE RETRACTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Your bid is binding and cannot be retracted. This includes max bids. 12. 12. Bid increments are as follows: Last Bid Bid Increment $0-49 $5 $50-199 $10 $200-499 $25 $500-$999 $50 $1000-2499 $100 $2500-4999 $250 $5000-9999 $500 $10,000-34,999 $1,000 $35,000+ 5%
1. This auction is conducted by Crisafulli Ventures, LLC, doing business as Love of the Game Auctions. The auction is conducted under the following rules and applicable laws. Consignors and bidders in this auction agree to be bound by these rules. By bidding or consigning, you are expressly agreeing to these terms. If you have any questions, contact us at info@ loveofthegameauctions.com. 2. A buyer’s premium equal to 20% of the high bid will be added to all lots. A $100 winning bidder will thus be charged $120. Any bidder who elects to pay by PayPal will also be subject to a 3% convenience fee on the entire lot. This fee applies only to payments made by PayPal (including credit card payments made through PayPal). 3. This auction closes using the “Double Overtime” method, with a 15-minute rule for the entire auction. In order to bid on an item during the extended bidding session beginning on the date of the auction close, you must place at least one bid on that item prior to 9:00 PM Eastern on the auction closing date. If you do not bid on it by 9PM Eastern on the closing date, you cannot bid on it afterward. To ensure that everyone gets a chance to bid, we will apply the 15-minute rule to the entire auction beginning at 9PM, with the clock resetting every 15 minutes. Bidding continues until no bids have been placed in the entire auction for a full 15-minute interval. As long as there is at least one lot that receives a bid during a 15-minute interval, the entire auction will extend for 15 minutes. Once a 15-minute interval passes without a bid on any item in the auction , the auction will close. At 1:00 AM Eastern, any item that has not received a bid for one hour or more will close without notice. The remaining items will enter “Double Overtime,” with the 15-minute rule applied to the remaining lots. NOTE: There are no exceptions to this. If an item is closed, it is closed and we cannot accept additional bids. This auction may close without notice at any time once the Extended Bidding period begins. We do not guarantee that bidders will receive a “Fair Warning” notice before the auction closes. 4. Winning bids will be subject to additional charges for packing, domestic shipping and insurance. We do not make profit on shipping. As a convenience, we now offer a standardized schedule for packing and shipping, based on the total invoice amount. This standardized schedule is $12 per invoice valued at less than $750; $20 per invoice valued between $750 and $5,000; $35 per invoice valued between $5,000 and $10,000; $50 per invoice valued between $10,000 and $50,000; and $75 per invoice valued greater than $50,000. Bidders who win three or fewer graded cards valued at less than $400 in total may request USPS First Class shipping in a padded mailing envelope for $5, provided that they assume all risk of loss or damage. There are exceptions to the standardized shipping schedule in instances of shipments outside the continental US, or in the instance of large, heavy or fragile items that require special packing or shipping carrier (for example, stadium seats, oversized and framed items, large lots or graded sets), or oversized items such as bats or pennants. In the case of high-value items requiring bonded, insured transport and/or transport by special carrier, the winning bidder will also pay all shipping, packing and insurance charges. ALSO NOTE THIS EXPLANATION OF HOW OUR SHIPPING WORKS: We primarily use the USPS and FedEx for shipping, and generally adhere to the following rules: • If your package is valued at $400 or less, we ship via USPS Priority Mail. • If your package is valued above $400, we ship via USPS Priority Mail with a signature confirmation requirement, USPS Express Mail, or Federal Express, at our discretion. • Oversized packages are shipped FedEx Ground. We generally do not use UPS, as we no longer trust their ability to safely move packages from Point A to Point B without damage or loss, and our experience has been that they do not guarantee their service. Please note, however, that the method of shipping is AT OUR DISCRETION, and we can choose whichever method we feel best fits the item we are shipping. We pride ourselves on packaging all items very carefully and diligently, but cannot honor special packaging and shipping requests.
13. “Max” or “Ceiling” bids can be placed on any lot. They must conform to the proper bidding increment based on a lot’s high bid at the time such a bid is placed. In the event of a tie between bids, the earlier bid received will be recognized as the winning bid. This is especially important with respect to “Max” bids and “straight” bids, because if a bidder places a “straight” bid equal to a “max” bid left by someone earlier, the “max” bid will be considered the winner. 14. We cannot see max bids. We do not have access to max bids in any way. If you choose to leave a max bid, we will not know the amount of that bid. We do not have a fancy brand name for this; we just call it “integrity.” It should go without saying. 15. Consignors may not bid on their own materials. Love of the Game Auctions reserves the right to cancel any bid should we believe that bid was made by a consignor, or representative of a consignor, bidding on his/her own materials. We reserve the right to decline consignments for the same reason, at any point before, during, or even after the auction, if we believe a consignor or his proxy is placing bids on his lots. Love of the Game Auctions is the sole arbiter of this decision, and by participating in the auction, both bidders and consignors agree to this. 16. Our auction system generates electronic bid confirmations and outbid notices electronically and automatically. Love of the Game Auctions cannot guarantee that you’ll receive the emails or text messages, however. We recommend checking the status of your bids online periodically. 17. We do not have hidden reserves. Occasionally, on certain high- value items, we will institute a reserve to protect our consignor. Approximately one week prior to the auction closing, we disclose the specific dollar amount of any reserves that have not been met. When we disclose the reserve, the current bid will be set to one increment below the reserve amount, and the next bid will meet the reserve. PLEASE NOTE: The reserve should be treated as a “bidder.” If you choose to leave a max bid that is greater than the reserve, your bid will automatically meet the reserve, and you will become the high bidder at the reserve price. There is never a hidden reserve. It is our policy to disclose whether an item has a reserve, right in the description of that item. If a reserve is not noted, and the item receives a bid, it will sell. If the bidding meets the reserve, the item will sell. We do not permit consignors to add reserves after the auction is underway, and we will not accept a consignment with a reserve unless it is specifically agreed upon prior to the auction. 18. Love of the Game Auctions, its owner or employees are not permitted to bid on any lot in the auction, under any circumstances. Bidders are not bidding against any “house account.” There is no “house account.” 19. Unsold or unpaid lots may be privately sold or re-auctioned at our discretion. Should Love of the Game elect to pay the consignor for an unpaid lot, we take ownership of that item and can re-sell it at our discretion. 20. If, for any reason, our auction is interrupted during bidding, Love of the Game Auctions may elect to extend bidding beyond the stated closing date or time. In the case of a serious outage that we feel impacts bidding, Love of the Game Auctions may elect to take more extreme measures to ensure that bidding is fair and all bidders have had sufficient opportunities to place their bids. Such measures may include stopping all bidding and re- starting from the point of stoppage on a subsequent day, and/or pushing the scheduled auction closing to a later date, or any other remedy that we feel is appropriate. This decision is entirely at the discretion of Love of the Game, and by bidding in our auction, you agree to this. If any bidder experiences a problem bidding, they should contact us at info@loveofthegameauctions.com. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY 21. Payment must be received on all winning bids within 14 calendar days of notification of items won. This is not negotiable, as it is important to us to pay our consignors as quickly as possible. Notifications and invoices are sent by email, except in the event that a phone bidder has no email address. These methods shall constitute “notification” of winning. It is your responsibility to check your account to see if you are a winning bidder. Any bidder not paid in full within 14 days of notification may have future bidding and consigning privileges revoked, and will be subject to legal action.
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31. Photo authentication: We have deep respect for the various photo authenticators in our field. However, we only recognize the opinion of one firm in the hobby: PSA/DNA. While we reserve the right to change this opinion in the future, it is our current policy. In the event that we offer a photo that does not carry a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA, you can trust that that photo has been thoroughly scrutinized and is guaranteed to pass as advertised with PSA/DNA if noted. This guarantee is good for 90 days after the close of the auction in which the item was purchased, and must be accompanied by a rejection letter from PSA/DNA. It should be noted that unless expressly stated in our description, we provide no guarantees on framed or mounted photos. 32. Game-Worn/Used Items: For game-used items, we recognize the LOA of PSA/DNA, MEARS, Dave Grob, Dave Miedema or the individual sports or athletes. 33. General Statement on Authentication and Grading: Graded and authenticated items are sold “as is.” We cannot, and will not, be responsible for an item that results in a difference of opinion on authenticity or grade between two competing companies. We will not issue refunds on items that have been authenticated by one company but rejected or graded lower by another after purchase. When we sell an item, we are selling it along with the opinion rendered by the firm that examined it, and nothing more. 34. Framed items: We frequently sell framed items. We assess the condition and eye appeal of framed items based on how they appear in the frame. Unless noted otherwise, framed items are not examined outside the frame, and it is possible that – good or bad – there are issues underneath the frame that are not taken into account when assessing grade. Framed items are sold “as is.” This also applies to dry-mounted or shrinkwrapped items. Further, while we do our best to package everything safely and securely to prevent damage, we are not responsible for frame or glass breakage that happens during shipping. The winning bidder assumes all risk associated with frame or glass breakage in transit. In the instance that a framed item should be damaged in shipping due to glass breakage, the buyer’s remedy, if any, shall be solely against the shipping company transporting the item. Should we sell an item that resides in a frame, we are selling the item inside the frame, and not the frame itself . Should the item be damaged in transit, we can take appropriate measures to refund or replace it. We do not, however, warrant the frame. HOUSEKEEPING 35. Any person who registers for the auction agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions, and accepts them freely. Anyone who places a bid agrees to personally guarantee payment on any winning bid. 36. Love of the Game Auctions will not be held liable for any damages or claims arising of or in connection with the sale of any item. 37. In no event and under no circumstance will the liability of Love of the Game exceed the purchase price paid for any lot. 38. These terms and conditions shall be enforced in accordance of the law of the State of New York. Any claims arising from this auction shall be brought in the appropriate court in the State of New York, Ulster County. In the event the Love of the Game Auctions is the prevailing party in any such claim, it shall be entitled to the recovery of all attorney fees and costs, whether or not such remedy is entitled by law. 39. Love of the Game Auctions and Crisafulli Ventures reserve the right to amend these rules at any time, for any reason, without notification. It is the responsibility of our bidders and consignors to review these rules prior to bidding in any auction; continuing to bid in our auction serves as your repeated agreement to these rules and policies. PRIVACY POLICY We value your privacy, and are committed to protecting it. When you register for our auction, or consign material to us, we collect your information and store it in our system. We may also automatically receive and record information on our server logs from your browser. We utilize your contact information so that we can communicate with you, send you periodic marketing emails or “snail mail,” ship you your goodies, and send you money when you consign your valuable material to us. Any personal information that we maintain is stored on a secure server courtesy of our friends at CreateAuction and Mailchimp (our email software provider). We do not sell or rent our customer lists. We do not store credit card information on our servers.
Additionally, we will publish the full name and location of all reneging bidders in our printed catalog, on our website and on our social media as a reneging bidder, and we will forward your name to other auction houses for informational purposes. Should an account be late with payment more than once, it is our policy to assign a credit limit to that account. Your bidding in our auction constitutes agreement to all these rules and policies, especially this one. Payments by check or money order should be made to Love of the Game Auctions, PO Box 3931, Kingston, NY, 12402 We make every effort to ship as quickly as possible. We generally ship under a “First In, First Out” policy, meaning we ship packages in the order that payment was received, unless there are extenuating circumstances. If you make your payment by PayPal or credit card, your payment is processed immediately and forwarded to shipping. This does not mean your item will be shipped right away. It means it is “ready to ship,” and is in queue with all the other packages that have been paid for. We hold all checks for 7 days. Please note that the above does not say “we hold all checks until they clear,” it says “we hold all checks for 7 days.” Our bank has advised us that the best way to avoid issues is to hold each check for 7 days. This means that on the 8th day, we make sure checks have cleared, and then we forward the invoice to shipping. This does not mean your item will be shipped right away. It means it is “ready to ship,” and is in queue with all the other packages that have been paid for. We realize this is a one-week delay, which is partially why the buyer’s premium is 3% less for buyers who pay by check than for those who pay by Paypal. While it does require some patience, we can assure you that we are still quicker than most auction houses. 22. Insurance is provided by Collectibles Insurance Services. The buyer assumes the risk of loss on all items purchased once we ship said items. Shipping carriers are chosen at our discretion. In no event and under no circumstance will the liability of Love of the Game exceed the purchase price paid for any lot. 23. We will not commit customs fraud on packages shipped outside the United States. 24. All items are purchased “AS IS” and may not be returned for any reason. No returns are permitted. 25. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Bid retractions are not permitted for any reason. Once a bid is placed, it may not be retracted. All items are offered “as is.” 26. We accept Paypal, checks, certified checks, cash or money orders. We do not accept any other form of payment. We can, by special arrangement, accept payment by wire transfer. Wire transfers under $10,000 are subject to an additional $10 fee. We ship as soon as possible after payment in full is received. Ownership of any lot does not pass to the winning bidder until the lot is paid for in full, nor do we ship items to winning bidders without first receiving payment. 27. If a winning bidder has not honored his/her winning bid per these terms and conditions, then Love of the Game Auctions is entitled to sell the winning lot, re-auction the lot, or hold the non-paying bidder responsible for the entire amount, at our discretion, with the bidder responsible for the difference between the price received at resale and the non-paying bidder’s original bid. Love of the Game Auctions is also entitled to publicly disclose the names and locations of all reneging bidders, as well as any aliases or online handles. Bidding in our auction constitutes your agreement to our auction rules. As a bidder, you agree that a non-paying bidder is responsible for any and all losses incurred, plus all fees and/or commissions related to the subsequent sale of the item(s). Reneging or non-paying bidders are also responsible for interest charges at the rate of 2% per month for all outstanding balances until paid in full, as well as all legal fees and court costs incurred by Love of the Game Auctions in our efforts to collect their unpaid debt. In other words, if a winning bidder does not pay in full, he/she agrees to be held responsible for the value of the lot, any losses incurred as a result of having to re-sell the lot, plus interest charges of 2% per month on all unpaid balances, plus legal and court fees. AUTHENTICITY, GRADES, DESCRIPTIONS, and CAVEAT EMPTOR 28. Love of the Game Auctions makes every attempt to describe each item in our sale as accurately as possible. We do not “sweeten” or otherwise enhance any scans or images, save for general unsharp mask or image re-sizing, general color correction of photographs, and cropping out unsightly background distractions with the magical Photoshop program. Occasionally, an item in our
auction may appear differently in the catalog photograph than in person, due solely to lighting or white balance. We do not enhance scans or photographs, but we do shine light on items we are photographing, in an effort to ensure it is as visible as possible. Despite all this, subtle variations in print color, computer monitors, background lighting, and even camera and scanner settings could result in a catalog or website image not being 100% color accurate, and we make no such guarantees. We cannot accept returns due to discrepancies over color, brightness, contrast, flaws, etc. Any bidder who is unsure of an item’s true appearance is more than welcome to contact us with questions or to schedule an in-person preview or receive additional photographs. Similarly, we cannot accept returns on graded items because of a condition issue or flaw that is not addressed in the written description of an item. This includes marks, discolorations, stains, or any other defect that might not have been described in our written description or is not easily visible in the scan or photo. 29. Card grading and authenticity: We utilize the card grading service of PSA and SGC, and are authorized dealers of each. Additionally, we occasionally offer cards graded by CSG, Beckett or, on rare occasion, GAI. As stated above, we make every effort to properly represent and describe items in our auction. However, we cannot be held responsible for the opinion of a third-party grader or authenticator. As most collectors understand, opinions on grade or authenticity, while typically rendered by skilled workers with vast experience, are exactly that: opinions. We cannot guarantee that every card graded by a third-party grading service, or every item authenticated by a professional authenticator, would receive the same grade upon resubmission to a different (or even the same) grading service, nor would we guarantee that the item would receive a grade or be authenticated at all. All we can tell you is the number on the holder and the company that graded it. This is important: if a graded card that we sell is subsequently discovered to be overgraded or altered, we cannot be held responsible. We do our best to ensure that the items we sell are as described, but we cannot be held responsible for the opinion of an unrelated party, including the accuracy of a grade and whether flaws or alterations were “missed.” We do not warrant or guarantee any item authenticated or graded by a third party. Graded and/or authenticated items are sold “as is.” THIS IS IMPORTANT: Love of the Game shall not in any way be liable for any defect (either patent or latent) or controversy pertaining to or arising from any encapsulated collectible. In any such instance, the buyer’s remedy, if any, shall be solely against the authentication or grading company certifying the collectible. All graded cards are sold “as is” with no exceptions. Your participation in the auction constitutes your acknowledgement, agreement and acceptance of this rule. Furthermore, we do our best to accurately describe the condition of ungraded items in our auction. We do not guarantee that a bidder, consignor, grading or authenticating company will agree with our descriptions. Our descriptions, like those of the grading and authentication companies, are based on our opinions . We try to be as detailed and thorough as possible, but occasionally make errors in descriptions or images. Any error we discover or that is brought to our attention will be rectified as quickly as possible, provided that such an error is an actual error , and not an issue of opinion or speculation . 30. Autograph authentication: We utilize the autograph authentication services of James Spence Authentication and PSA/DNA, exclusively. We do recognize the LOAs of Beckett, GAI, Major League Baseball and its individual players and SGC Authentic, and occasionally sell items authenticated by those companies. Similar to card grading, the opinion of an autograph authenticator is an opinion, and we cannot be held responsible for differences of opinion between authentication companies. Authenticated, signed items are sold “as is.” We do not warrant or guarantee authenticity of any item authenticated by a third party authenticator, nor do we guarantee that an item authenticated by one company will be authenticated by another - or even by that same company, upon resubmission. With respect to any large lots of authenticated autographed items, we offer these lots with the understanding that a few of the items in such a lot may not be authentic. When rendering an opinion on such a lot, authenticators may spend more time verifying the authenticity of the “key” items, and thus an inauthentic signature may occasionally slip by. All bidders who choose to bid on such lots do so with this understanding.
SUMMER 2023 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES AUGUST 19, 2023 3
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SUMMER 2023 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES AUGUST 19, 2023
Featured Items.........................................................................................................................6 Great Cards...........................................................................................................................25 Prewar Baseball Memorabilia.............................................................................................37 Postwar Baseball Memorabilia...........................................................................................43 Baseball Tickets & Passes....................................................................................................45 Vintage Baseball Photography...........................................................................................63 Baseball Postcards................................................................................................................76 19th Century Baseball Cards..............................................................................................77 1900-1948 Baseball Cards...................................................................................................84 1949-Present Baseball Cards............................................................................................116 Football Cards....................................................................................................................134 Miscellaneous Sports Cards..............................................................................................136 Miscellaneous Sports Memorabilia.................................................................................140 Baseball Autographs..........................................................................................................142 TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT NOTE: Customers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia are subject to the appropriate state sales tax if we do not have a valid resale certificate on file.
Nonpaying bidders from our Spring, 2023 auction: Brian Battles, Dothan, AL Robert Szewczyk, Homer Glen, IL
AL CRISAFULLI – Auction Director ANDREW ARONSTEIN – Inventory Manager SANDY CRISAFULLI – Finance Manager DAVID HORNISH – Research/Copywriter STEPHANIE KOWALSKY – Graphic Designer TERRY MELIA – Research/Copywriter EVELYN MARIE ROSE – Imaging Specialist
SUMMER 2023 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES AUGUST 19, 2023 5
1. Rare 1923-24 Tomas Gutierrez #14 Oscar Charleston (HOF RC) – SGC VG-EX 4 The 1923-24 Cuban Winter League had enough interest to allow for multiple card issuers and Tomas Gutierrez took advantage to issue a lengthy, 85 subject set distributed as in- serts with Diaz Cigarettes. One of the most popular of all the Cuban baseball card issues, yet also one of the most scarce, the cards were part of a redemption offer where a complete set could be exchanged for a hardcover book with printed images of the cards. It is believed that the complete sets were not returned to the person submitting them, which accounts for some of the scarcity of the issue.
Described by many who played against him as the best ball- player they ever saw, Oscar Charleston played nine seasons in the Cuban Winter League. It was during this time that this card was issued, one of two cards issued in 1923-24 that are considered Charleston’s “Rookie” card (the other being his 1923-24 Billiken card). This VG/EX example is a fine por- trait on a card that’s aged nicely, with a clean surface and spectacular image, free of creases. Two small, dark marks are present at the very bottom edge of the card, visible at both the front and back, though not at all distracting from what is a beautiful card, high-grade for the issue. This is one of seven examples of this card in the SGC database, with one higher. PSA has graded two, with the best grade a 2 in their pop report. Charleston’s lifetime batting average of .364 is good for sec- ond all-time, just .002 behind Ty Cobb. His 1921 season was perhaps his finest, when he posted a .433 batting average and .512 OBP, though he continued to post incredible numbers through the 1920s. In addition to ranking among the Ne- gro Leagues’ top five all-time in batting average and home runs, Charleston is its all-time leader in stolen bases. Though James ranks Charleston fourth all-time, other baseball schol- ars feel Charleston may be the greatest player ever. The great John McGraw said of Charleston “If Oscar Charleston isn’t the greatest baseball player in the world, then I’m no judge of baseball talent.”
In recent years, as Charleston begins to gain recognition as one of the game’s most elite players, his cards have begun to fetch prices more consistent with his legend. Recent sales of his 1924 Aguilitas card have approached and eclipsed the six-figure mark, with an example graded GOOD by SGC fetching $132,000 at public auction. As one of Charleston’s true rookie cards, the Tomas Gutierrez is more important, more rare, and in this case, a higher-grade example, certainly one of the most important cards of Oscar Charleston in existence. One of the most significant baseball cards we have ever offered. MINIMUM BID: $20,000
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2. Beautiful 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle (HOF) – SGC EX+ 5.5 Spectacular example of the world famous 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, brightly colored with a clean, crisp image. As iconic as a card can get, this example presents wonderfully and is quite bright and colorful, with superb registration, well befitting of its EX+ grade. Some minor flaws are, of course, present but none are remarkable. There is just a spot or two of print snow seen in the background field which has retained its blue hue in fine fashion after 70+ years. The corners are evenly and gently worn, consistent with the grade. The edges have also sur- vived in an enviable state, with a minute and slender surface chip seen in the right, mid-border. Light fox- ing can be seen at the bottom and a very slight tilt is also evident, as is typically seen with this card. The centering is, as can be plainly seen, fantastic.
The reverse also shows faint signs of foxing, mirror- ing that on the front and small overspray line of red ink from the printer is seen at the edge of the name- plate background. The reds are all solid and bright on the reverse and the black text is well struck as well. A stellar looking back to go with the equally fabulous front. This is a fine looking card for the grade, really a banger, and the king of cards from the king of sets remains one of the top prizes in the hobby. A stun- ning, higher-grade example of the most important postwar card in the hobby. MINIMUM BID: $30,000
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3. 1907 Wolverine News Ty Cobb (HOF RC – Batting) – SGC PR 1
The 1907 Wolverine News set is a Postcard set that solely features members of the Detroit Tigers, and in- cludes two poses of their young sensation, Ty Cobb. This is the batting pose and it features Cobb seeming- ly taking batting practice. This is one of only 11 ex- amples of the Hall of Fame outfielder in the SGC pop report, with another 9 over at PSA. The PR 1 grade speaks primarily to postal use, the sender writing “This is the high-salaried man” on the reverse, Cobb’s $4,500 salary equating to approximately $150,000 to- day. The corners of the card have rounded and some obverse foxing can be seen, while central image is es- sentially unscathed. The card has been postmarked October 13, 1908, with the sender’s comments prov- ing fans have been complaining about player salaries practically since the game was invented. His wages were indeed taking off but he was not yet the game’s highest paid player, an honor that belonged to Nap Lajoie at the time. In 1912 Cobb would earn the first five figure salary in the history of the sport. A highly desirable rookie card of one of the game’s greats. MINIMUM BID: $7,500
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4. Impossibly Rare 1955 Topps Hocus Focus Lou Gehrig (HOF) – PSA VG-EX 4 In 1955 Topps released a throwback to their 1948-49 series of Magic Photos, which were similarly small cards that required the application of moisture and sunlight to “develop” the picture that revealed the answer to the very basic question on the card’s reverse. They were issued in two sizes, a Large (relatively speaking) format edition of 96 subjects measuring 1’ x 1 9/16’’ and a Small edition featuring 126 subjects and measuring 7/8” 1 7/16”. Movie Stars, World Leaders and several other groupings of subsets were created, with Baseball Stars among them. The first 96 cards in either size consist of identical subjects, with variance on the reverse to account for a subset numbering system that was rendered askew by the additional 30 subjects added in the Small set, inadvertent “high numbers” if you will.
The Large series of 96 was issued in panelized form in wax packs, while the Small series of 126 was issued as a true insert, with one small card wedged between the inner and outer wrapper of a piece of bubblegum-a method of distribution lacking in all manner of refinement. As a result, the Small cards are several orders of magnitude more difficult than the Large ones and they are, indeed, the rarest regular issue cards ever released to the public by Topps. The Baseball Stars series has 18 subjects in the Large size and 23 in the Small. These five additional Baseball Stars have been slow to reveal themselves over the years and the pop counts on these are minuscule. The other four “high number” Baseball Stars have PSA pops of either 2, or 3 and this card, of the immortal Lou Gehrig, is the sole entry in their database. The only record of a Gehrig coming up previously was in an old 2002 “blind” lot offering from a large but now defunct auction house, and which was then sold anew that year. It’s not clear if this is the card that surfaced two decades ago or or a different one, the latter scenario seeming more likely. It is PSA 4 in grade, as the corners have rounded and some obvious foxing is seen on the reverse of a well-developed card. This is perhaps the rarest card of the Iron Horse ever issued and it comes from Topps. MINIMUM BID: $1,000
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5. 1927 E126 American Caramel #38 Babe Ruth (HOF) – PSA GOOD+ 2.5
Scarce and seldom-seen caramel issue featuring a close-cropped version of the “photo montage” image of Babe Ruth popularized on his E121 American Cara- mel card from five years earlier. This example is from a much more condition-sensitive and tough-to-find set, the E126 cards printed on extremely thin stock with a light gloss surface. This well-centered example pres- ents extremely well, some light wrinkling along the bottom border and pronounced corner rounding be- ing the primary condition issues. The reverse is clean, as the card has been stored in nine-pocket pages for decade along with the rest of the set, much of which is featured elsewhere in this auction. Freshly-graded by PSA, submitted by us for its first-ever encapsulation. An extraordinary card of the hobby icon, from a less frequently-seen issue, just the 24th example assessed by PSA. MINIMUM BID: $2,500
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6. 1888 N162 Goodwin Champions Cap Anson (HOF) – PSA VG-EX 4 N162 identifies what may be the most gorgeous card set of the Nine- teenth Century. A multi-sport set that included eight baseball players, “Champions” were issued in 1888 by Goodwin & Co., who were also responsible for the massive Old Judge series. Setting an early bar for high quality, the set is revered today for it’s stunning color lithography and superb player selection. One look at this PSA 4 Cap Anson shows why.
A golden, setting sun glints of a sky full of clouds behind the musta- chioed and well-coiffed White Stockings captain, looking regal in his uniform and brimming with confidence. Fine detail can be seen and it’s apparent this is a work that was deliberate and undertaken with care, created by a trained hand. Centered a tad up and to the left, three corners are tipped to varying degrees, with a fourth exhibiting very gentle wear. Some light foxing can be seen, primarily in the lower bor- der. The color work is fantastic and bold, with unbelievable contrast and registration, far superior to what is typically seen with this card. The reverse has some light foxing as well, scattered throughout, with dark, black text and looks fantastic. A wonderful card, which belies its grade in the best possible way. MINIMUM BID: $2,000
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7. 1952 Topps #312 Jackie Robinson (HOF) – SGC VG/EX 4
Jackie Robinson’s 1952 Topps card is becoming a true hobby touchstone as the years pass. For those keeping track, this example has the baseball stitches on the reverse pointing left. The crimson red background is instantly recognizable on one the most “baseball-card looking” baseball cards ever created. There is some wear seen on this SGC 4, almost resembling print snow and primarily confirmed tot he mid-band. It’s tilty, as the high numbers from this issue inevitably are, though very well-centered. Light corner wear is evident, with minor foxing seen at the bottom border, the card bright and colorful overall. The reverse, which has toned some, is well rendered and the reds and blacks are strong. One or two minute dots of foxing can be seen along the top border as oriented, both extremely minor. The edges front and back are keen. The one-two punch of Mantle and Jackie in the 1952 Topps high numbers is just one of those crazy things that make this such a great set. Robinson’s cards continue to climb and this may just be his most popular and attractive issue. MINIMUM BID: $4,000
8. 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks (HOF RC) – PSA NM 7
“Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks got his first Topps card in 1954 and it’s a virtual riot of color. The blue and red trimmed Cubs cap, yellow and brown team logo and white background all work together in stunning fashion. PSA Near Mint 7 in grade, the corners have the lightest of touches, with a little bit of errant print spray seen, mostly above the cap, typical for the issue. The reverse is clean with gorgeous green and righteous red glowing. One of the key cards to the issue, part of a trio of im- portant postwar rookie cards with Hank Aaron and Al Kaline also featured in this set. MINIMUM BID: $1,500
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9. Outstanding 1879 Ezra Sutton Player’s Contract Signed by Sutton, Arthur Soden, and Twice by Harry Wright (HOF) – JSA
Outstanding, museum-quality player contract between util- ity man Ezra Sutton and the Boston Red Stockings, owned by Arthur Soden and managed by Harry Wright. Easily the oldest player contract we have handled and likely one of the oldest to survive its era, the agreement is dated October 16, 1879, and has been signed by Sutton and Arthur Soden, as well as twice by Hall of Famer and baseball pioneer Harry Wright. The contract governs the 1880 baseball season, and calls for Sutton to receive $171.43 per month, less $30 for the cost of his uniform, and less fifty cents a day for boarding while the team was on the road. The contract bears the embossed seal of the Boston Base Ball Association. This contract does bear historical significance, since the signatories were all involved with the creation of baseball’s “reserve clause,” which was adopted on December 6, 1879, just weeks after this contract was signed. The initial reserve clause enabled each team to “reserve” five players for each season, unless a player opted out of his contract and did not play in the league for a year. The clause began making its ap- pearance in player contracts in 1880, and essentially bound each player to a single team until that team determined otherwise. Arthur Soden was the person who proposed the reserve clause to the National League in 1879, and Sutton was one of the first five team members bound to Boston by the clause. The contract measures 9” x 17 1/2” and is housed in a handsome 12” x 20 1/2” shadowbox. The contract is clearly well-worn, with significant edge wear and light tears, visible foxing and staining, along with some staining that appears to have been left by clear tape. The signatures are bold and legible, the first Wright signature applied in pencil and re- maining dark and clear, the second somewhat faded with a bit of staining at the “H.” Soden and Sutton’s fountain pen signatures are clear and dark. Also included in the display is a clean N172 Old Judge Cigarettes card of Ezra Sutton, mounted at the bottom left of the contract. A very import- ant early contract, signed by several baseball pioneers in- cluding Hall of Famer Harry Wright – twice. LOA from James Spence Authentication.
MINIMUM BID: $3,000
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10. Mickey Walker 1931 Ring Magazine Championship Belt
New Jersey native Mickey Walker held both the welterweight and world middleweight championships during his career. One of the greatest fighters ever, ESPN has ranked him #17 on their list of 50 Greatest Boxers of all-time, with boxing his- torian Bert Sugar placing him at #11 in the top 100. In 1929, Walker attempted to win a championship in a third division, fighting light heavyweight champion Tommy Laughran to a ten-round loss. In the summer of 1931, Walker voluntarily re- linquished his world middleweight title and moved up to the heavyweight division. Walker continued to fight until 1935. He was part of the inaugural class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Presented here is Walker’s Ring Magazine belt awarded to him in 1931. Though it is missing its sash, the brass metal plates are in outstanding condition with some light scuffing here and there, with a few of the metal connective chains hav- ing become disconnected but likely easily repaired. The center plate heralds Walker’s career, engraved “The Ring Magazine Merit Award to Mickey Walker 1931.” Side plates read “Great- est Fighter in Four Classes Since Fitzsimmons,” “Won Titles from Jack Britton and Tiger Flowers,” “As Welter Champion Defeated Mike McTigue Light Heavy King,” and “Fought 15 Round Draw with Jack Sharkey.” Ring belts are seldom made available for public sale, and examples this early are extraor- dinarily rare. An exceptional early belt from one of the most prestigious resources in boxing, recognizing the achieve- ments of one of the greatest fighters ever. MINIMUM BID: $7,500
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11. Howard Ehmke 1929 World Series Game 1 Single-Signed Game Used Baseball – Surprise Starter Sets Strikeout Record! The 1929 World Series featured the AL champi-
the Series. Mack believed that Ehmke’s sidearm de- livery would catch Chicago unprepared, and
on Philadelphia Athletics against the NL Champion Chicago Cubs, with the Ath- letics winning the championship in five games. The Series opened with
despite Ehmke being considered “over the hill,” Mack was correct. Ehmke pitched masterfully, setting the record for most strikeouts in a World Se-
a classic managerial move on the part of Hall of Fame skipper Connie Mack, resulting in one of the legendary stories of the game.
ries game with 13 (a record that would stand until Carl Erskine broke it in 1953), scattering 8 hits and a walk in a complete game, 3-1 victory. Ehmke’s heroics helped Mack’s Ath- letics capture the momentum with Game 1, and they would keep it for the rest of the Se- ries.
The Athletics were led by a four man pitching staff that included George Earnshaw (24-8), Lefty Grove (20-6), Jack Quinn (11-9) and Rube Walberg (18-11). Heading into the Series, Cubs manager Joe McCarthy would surely have his team prepared to face one of Mack’s aces, but the A’s manager elected to sur- prise Chicago by opening the Series with 35-year-old Howard Ehmke, who posted a 7-2 record in just 11 games with the Athletics. Ehmke
Presented here is a single-signed and heavily notated game-used ball from that game, signed and person- alized by Ehmke himself on the sweet spot. The game score and date is notated on the south panel. The ONL (Heydler) ball re- mains in outstanding condition, with significant signs
was not even with the team the last few weeks of the season, hav- ing been sent ahead by Mack to scout the Cubs in anticipation of
of game use. A significant game ball from one of the most storied of all World Series games. LOA from James Spence Authentication. MINIMUM BID: $500
12. 1929 World Series Game 1 Wrigley Field Ticket Stub – Surprise Starter Howard Ehmke 13 Strikeout Game! Attractive ticket stub to the opening game of the 1929 World Series at Wrigley Field. A five-game series that would see the Athletics wipe out the Cubs the first game was won by the Athletics. In that game A’s pitcher Howard Ehmke went the distance putting up a dominant performance and setting the record for most strikeouts in a World Series game with 13. A historically significant ticket with outstanding visual appeal but some staining and wrinkling that reduces the technical grade to the GOOD range. MINIMUM BID: $150
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