(845) 750-6366 | www.loveofthegameauctions.com SPRING 2024 PREMIER AUCTION CLOSES MARCH 30, 2024
WHAT YOU ARE HOLDING is the single largest auction catalog we’ve ever done. I don’t know if it’ll be our biggest auction - we’ll know in a few weeks, I guess. But it’s certainly the auction with the most girth - 1500 lots, and 212 catalog pages. It’s a pretty excellent assortment of things you just don’t see every day in this hobby, which is our mantra. It’s not by accident, and I want to acknowledge it. In the past three years, Love of the Game has experienced unbelievable growth. Not just in the size and quality of our auctions, but in the steady increase in repeat consignors of higher-end material, and, in the capability of the team working on assembling the auctions and running the business. It’s no secret that, for the first four or five years of Love of the Game’s existence, it was all pretty much me. I was responsible for getting the consignments, writing the descriptions, scanning and photographing all the lots, supervising the catalog designer, marketing the company, paying the bills, packing and shipping the auction winnings, and taking out the trash. I’ve got pretty high standards of how I want to
doing newspaper research, hot on the trail of a piece of new information that improved the entire description of an item. At the same time, an outside specialist was working on producing high- quality scans and prints of the glass lantern slide collection featured in the auction, and Dan was writing copy for some of the items in the “Featured” section. And our amazing designer Stephanie was hard at work, pulling together the layout for the Black Sox trial section in this catalog, laying in copy written by Jacob Pomrenke, chair of SABR’s Black Sox Scandal Research Committee. What was once a solid boutique auction, run by one guy giving instructions to an entry-level designer and writing descriptions til he fell asleep at his desk, is now a true team effort. And it’s a great team - in my opinion the best there is. Everyone who touches this company has a passion for it, and takes ownership not only of their own work, but of the entire business - helping elevate each other’s work so that it’s an environment where we are constantly improving, exploring new ideas, working harder at being better. I don’t typically use my introduction as a platform to promote Love of the
represent this company, and the care I want to take in representing our consignors’ material, so back then I spent a lot of time talking about how I envisioned the company working when we could staff up a little. Today we are presenting auctions of extremely high caliber, and I like to think we’re doing it at a level that’s competitive with every other auction house out there, regardless of their size, and how many massive departments of people they have working on things. One night this week, before I went home, I took stock of where we stood in finalizing the auction. I walked around the office into our photography studio, where Evelyn, our imaging specialist, had spent the entire day shooting and re-shooting memorabilia lots until they were just right. I looked up to find Andrew, our operations manager,
Game Auctions. I usually use it in a more poetic way, because I prefer to write romantic stuff about the beauty of baseball, the greatness of our hobby, the importance of kindness and such. But this time I can’t help it. You’re holding in your hands 212 pages of teamwork, passion, and talent, along with some great consignors. If you have not consigned to Love of the Game yet, you are missing out. I invite you to give us a try. Play Ball!
Al Crisafulli Auction Director
SPRING 2024 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES MARCH 30, 2024 1
AUCTION TERMS AND CONDITIONS ABOUT OUR AUCTION
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 4% 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 $500; $15 per invoice valued between $500 and $999, $20 per invoice valued between $1,000 and $4,999; $35 per invoice valued between $5,000 and $9,999; $50 per invoice valued between $10,000 and $49,999; $75 per invoice valued between $50,000 and $99,999, and $100 per invoice valued greater than $100,000. 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 lots containing many components or requiring multiple packages), or oversized items such as bats, pennants and display items. 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. 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, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington State 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, Zelle, Check or Money Order. We do not accept direct credit card payment, though you can pay by credit card through PayPal. There is a 4% convenience fee for PayPal payments. Zelle payments can be made to Payment at LOTGAuctions.com. 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. We do not 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. Also please note that if you use eBay as your reference, acceptance of your registration is based on the number of recent transactions, in addition to your positive feedback rating. By “hobby reference,” we are referring to an individual business entity (for instance, nationally- known 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. At its sole discretion, Love of the Game may at any time place a credit limit on a bidder’s account. The credit limit represents the maximum amount a bidder can bid with LOTG at that time. 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, at any time. 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. If you have questions about condition, or specific questions about an item in the auction, please contact us before you place a bid. Inspections of lots by special appointment is available up to 5:00 PM the Thursday prior to the auction close. Contact us for details. 12. Bid increments are as follows: LAST BID BID INCREMENT $0-49 $5 $50-199 $10 $200-999 $25 $1000-2499 $50 $2500-4999 $100 $5000-9999 $250 $10,000-34,999 $500 $35,000-74,999 $1000 $75,000-99,999 $2000 $100,000+ 5% 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
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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. WHEN YOU PURCHASE A GRADED OR AUTHENTICATED ITEM FROM US, YOU ARE PURCHASING AN ITEM GRADED OR AUTHENTICATED BY THAT COMPANY. YOU ARE NOT PURCHASING THE PROMISE THAT A COMPETING GRADING COMPANY WILL RENDER THE SAME DECISION. All sales are final, and we do not warrant items will “cross” from one grading company or authenticator to another. 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.
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. 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 4% 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, Zelle, 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.
WINTER 2024 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES MARCH 30, 2024 3
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SPRING 2024 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES MARCH 30, 2024
Featured Items.................................................................................................................................................................6 Great Cards....................................................................................................................................................................25 Pre-1900 Baseball Memorabilia..................................................................................................................................44 1900-1948 Baseball Memorabilia................................................................................................................................49 1949-Present Baseball Memorabilia...........................................................................................................................53 The 1919 Black Sox Scandal & Trial...........................................................................................................................55 Frank W. Smith Glass Lantern Slide Collection........................................................................................................66 Vintage Baseball Photography....................................................................................................................................69 Baseball Postcards.........................................................................................................................................................78 19th Century Baseball Cards.......................................................................................................................................81 1900-1948 Baseball Cards............................................................................................................................................95 1949-Present Baseball Cards.....................................................................................................................................136 1963 Topps Registry Set.............................................................................................................................................148 1975 Topps High-Grade Collection.........................................................................................................................172 Football Cards.............................................................................................................................................................183 Basketball Cards..........................................................................................................................................................184 Boxing Cards...............................................................................................................................................................186 Miscellaneous Sports Cards.......................................................................................................................................188 Non-Sports Cards.......................................................................................................................................................189 Miscellaneous Sports Memorabilia..........................................................................................................................190 Autographed Baseballs...............................................................................................................................................192 Autographed Baseball Cards.....................................................................................................................................193 Miscellaneous Baseball Autographs.........................................................................................................................208 Miscellaneous Sports Autographs.............................................................................................................................210 Pop Culture/Americana.............................................................................................................................................212 TABLE OF CONTENTS IMPORTANT NOTE: Customers in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,Virginia and Washington are subject to the appropriate state sales tax if we do not have a valid resale certificate on file.
AL CRISAFULLI – Auction Director ANDREW ARONSTEIN – Operations Manager SANDY CRISAFULLI – Finance Manager STEPHANIE KOWALSKY – Graphic Designer EVELYN MARIE ROSE – Imaging Specialist DAN WALLACH – Copywriter
SPRING 2024 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES MARCH 30, 2024 5
1. 1918-1921 Babe Ruth (HOF) Game-Used Bat - PSA/DNA GU 7
Perhaps no piece of sports equipment is more closely associated with a player than a bat is with the great Babe Ruth. Even in editions of the Bos- ton Globe from before the 1918 season, when Ruth was purely a pitcher, articles made reference to the Babe’s batting practice home runs as he entertained teammates and fans with his colossal clouts. By 1919 Ruth’s batting exploits were such that his role as a pitcher became secondary; he led the league in home runs and runs batted in despite starting 15 games on the mound. By his 1920 trade to the Yankees, he was a celebrity, and his notoriety only increased from there. Even today he remains arguably the most famous and beloved figure in American sports, and those bats - the tools of the hitting giant - are among the most highly coveted pieces of sports memorabilia. Presented here is a gorgeous Louisville Slugger model 250 from early in Ruth’s career, the labeling period dating between 1918 and 1921. The bone-rubbed ash bat measures 34.75” and weighs in at 36.9 ounces (the bat would likely appear as a 35”, 40 ounce bat on a Player Ordering Re- cord, were one available), with a slight handle crack and a moderate coat of pine tar. The bat is side-written in vintage grease pencil, with a factory return date of 7-24-23. Up until the 1940s it was commonplace for play- ers to send their preferred bats back to the factory, to request more of the same type. Though side-written bats are considered to be impeccable provenance, in this case, the player’s name is not visible.
Though the bat is approximately one inch shorter and between 3 and
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10 ounces lighter than other bats appearing on Ruth’s documented ordering record after 1920, Ruth did use 35” bats during his career. Ordering records prior to 1920 are very incomplete, and there are no records of specific lengths and weights of bats ordered by Ruth in 1918 and 1919. However, the bat does exhibit several characteristics consistent with game use by Ruth: First, the handle has been scored to enhance the grip, a characteristic noted on many Babe Ruth game-used bats. Second, there are many ball marks and stitch marks on the left and back barrel. It is well-known that Ruth batted with the center- brand facing downward, so ball and stitch marks on Ruth bats ap- pear on the left barrel. Additionally, it should be noted that Hillerich & Bradsby player ordering records indicate that Ruth ordered “Bone Rubbed” bats with the “250 finish” as early as 1920.
signed a grade of GU 7, acknowledging the possibility that the bat was a team-ordered or index bat, but si- multaneously stating the opinion that the bat was used by Ruth between 1918 and 1920, with medi- um to heavy signs of use and identifiable player use characteristics (the scoring, location of ball and stitch marks, and “Bone Rubbed” and “250 finish” features). This incredible artifact was, until recently, kept on display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Bal- timore, MD for many years in a climate-controlled environ- ment with a number of other important game-used relics. Wonder- fully balanced, a war club by today’s standards, the bat remains in outstanding condition, with very little indication of dead wood or checking, the handle crack barely visible. A tremendous and histori- cally significant item, quite literally a museum piece. Full LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA.
The bat has been examined by John Taube of PSA/DNA and as-
MINIMUM BID: $30,000
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2. Impossibly Rare 1910 Punch Cigarros Pete Hill (HOF) - SGC A Exceedingly rare card of Hall of Fame outfielder Pete Hill, called “the first great outfielder in Black baseball history” by baseball historian Lawrence Hogan. Hill starred with a number of legendary Negro League teams including the Philadelphia Giants, Leland Giants, Cuban X Giants and Chicago American Giants, the majority of his playing years occurring before 1920. As a result, published statistics from Hill are not easy to find, and his name is somewhat less known than some of the titans of Black baseball. He was, however, one of the all- time greats, elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. Major
League 2020 announcement that it would recognize seven Negro Leagues as major leagues and adopt their statistics into the official record has had a profound impact on baseball fans; as curiosity and interest in Negro League stars begins to pique, its elite players are beginning to establish their place in the hobby. Many sales records for Negro League cards have been set in the last year, including the most expensive sale of a complete set ($370,000), as well as the most expensive individual card ($140,000). As the Negro Leagues’ greatest players begin to become household names, hobbyists and investors are becoming aware of the extreme rarity and historical significance of those players’ collectibles. Demand has never been higher. Baseball’s In the case of Pete Hill, due to the years he made his mark on the game, precious few collectibles bearing his likeness have ever
A powerful, feared hitter, Hill amassed at least 198 hits and ten home runs with the 1905 Philadelphia Giants, based on baseball historian Phil Dixon’s research into 133 games with publicly available boxscores. In 31 career games against major-league teams, Hill batted .327 with a .417 on base
been issued. He appeared in just two different card sets - the Punch Cigarros issue and the 1909 Cuban Cabanas set. Based on grading company population reports, at the time of this writing just five graded cards of Pete Hill exist between those two sets. The extreme rarity - few Hall of Famers have less cards than Pete Hill - makes this card an incredible find. One of the most important early Black baseball players, from one of the most rare and desirable of all Cuban sets. One of just three examples known from the issue, an incredible card that would serve as the centerpiece to any advanced collection. Please note: This card is being sold with a modest reserve, to protect the investment that our consignor made in it when he purchased it ten years ago. Please consult our policy regarding reserves in our auction rules. We will disclose the reserve amount with approximately 7 days remaining in the auction, at which point the bid will be brought to one increment beneath the reserve, so the next bid takes the card. Please note that until the reserve is met, the reserve acts as a bidder - if you place a max bid that exceeds the reserve, your bid will be placed and you will be the high bidder at the increment above the reserve, at minimum. MINIMUM BID: $15,000
percentage. He was truly one of the standouts of his era, an intelligent and athletic player who impressed opponents and excited fans. The Punch Cigarros issue is among the most rare and desirable of all Cuban card sets, with very few surviving examples known. Many of the most advanced prewar and Negro League collections are without a Punch Cigarros card, simply due to their extreme rarity. The cards were issued in conjunction with a Cuban visit by the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Athletics, the set consisting of players from those two teams as well as the Almendares and Havana ball clubs. The current known checklist is considered incomplete, with only one or two surviving examples of many of the known subjects. Complete sets of the cards could be exchanged for an album; it is speculated that this contributed to the rarity of the set today. The cards were produced on photographic paper glued to a cardboard backing measuring approximately 1 1/4” x 1 7/8”. Of the surviving cards, only a half dozen or so have been found with the backing, the remaining examples - such as this - are all graded AUTHENTIC as a result. As is the case with all Cuban issues, the Punch Cigarros cards are extremely condition-sensitive; this example presents incredibly well, with square corners and edges, and a very clean surface.
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3. 1950-59 Ted Williams (HOF) Signed, Game-Used Bat - MEARS A7, PSA/DNA MINT 9
Few players in the history of the game were better hitters than Ted Williams. Often described as the greatest hitter in the history of the game, Williams batted .344 lifetime, a perennial MVP frontrunner. Despite missing nearly five seasons to military service, he pounded out more than 2,600 hits, and his lifetime OBP of .482 is the greatest all-time. Williams was one of the athletes that became famous outside the game, his exploits as a fighter pilot making him an American hero and his subsequent success as a sports fisherman adding to his legacy. A piece of Williams’ equipment is the gear of an American icon, one of those pieces of memorabilia that transcends the hobby.
been graded A7 by MEARS, with a base grade of 5 and two points for the light use. Player Bat Ordering Records for Ted Williams indicate he ordered 35” 166 model bats in various weights between 1951 and 1955. He missed the bulk of the 1952 and 1953 seasons due to the Korean War, but excelled in the others, batting .345 with a .513 on base percentage in 1954, and batting .356 in 1955. Williams signed the bat in dark blue Sharpie, just underneath the barrel brand on the right barrel. Accompanying the bat is a 1997 photo of Williams holding it, having just signed it. The signature was applied carefully and has been incredibly well-
preserved, and has been graded MINT 9 by PSA/DNA.
Presented here is a Louisville Slugger model W166 used by Williams between 1950 and 1959. Measuring 35 inches in length and weighing in at 32.7 ounces, the uncracked bat displays moderate evidence of use, notably light wear on the right barrel and a few stray cleat marks. The model number of the bat is stamped into the knob. The bat has
An incredible piece of lumber, from one the greatest hitters that ever lived, carefully autographed, and in outstanding condition. Full LOA from MEARS and accompanying letter from Dave Bushing, photo from Pro Sports Services, and autograph LOA from PSA/ DNA. MINIMUM BID: $8,000
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4. Remarkable 1950-51 Toleteros Josh Gibson (HOF) w/Redemption Stamp - SGC PR 1
When discussing the great players of the Negro Leagues, perhaps no name is mentioned more often than that of Josh Gibson. The power-hitting catcher is known to have been one of the greatest players in baseball history, and was just the second Negro League player inducted into the Hall of Fame. According to some, he hit 800 home runs in his career, and since Major League Baseball began recognizing Negro League records, he has the second- highest single-season batting average, hitting .466 in 1943. Sadly, Gibson died of a stroke in 1947, just months before Jackie Robinson made his major league debut. Just 35 years old, his contemporaries often speculated that he died from a broken heart at not being the first black player in the Major Leagues. Among the various heroes of the Negro Leagues, few names, if any, are bigger than Josh Gibson. From a collecting standpoint, Gibson represents a unique conundrum, because
packs beginning in 1948, and featured players from the current and past seasons of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Cards were meant to be placed in an album that could then be redeemed for prizes (one reason the cards and albums are so scarce today). Outside the album, the cards could also be used to play a game. According to extensive research conducted by prominent Toleteros collector Angel Colón, the promotion was so successful that the company released a second set in 1949, adding the concept of “instant winners” to the promotion - special cards overprinted with a Garcia logo or a colored star that could be immediately redeemed for up to 30 different prizes, some as pricey as a trip to Mexico with $100 in spending money. The 1950-51 set worked similarly, with “chase” cards overprinted with the Garcia logo or a letter - collectors could use the letters to spell the names of one of the Puerto Rican League teams (Aguadilla,
Caguas, Mayaguez, Ponce, San Juan and Santurce). If a collector was fortunate enough to piece together enough overprinted cards to spell one of the teams, the cards could be redeemed for a prize.
for decades there were simply no cards of Gibson from any year even adjacent to his playing career. The discovery of the Gibson card in the 1950-51 Toleteros set, capturing him during the Puerto Rican Winter League, was issued after his passing, to commemorate his excellent career and his impact on the game. Similar in nature to the 1948 Leaf Babe Ruth or 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Ty Cobb, the 1950-51 Toleteros Josh Gibson has been embraced by collectors, and given the unfortunate reality that few cards of Negro League players were issued, making this Gibson’s only “true” card. Often called the “Honus Wagner of Negro League cards,” just 33 examples exist on the PSA and SGC population reports combined, and it is speculated that several examples are double-counted, having been crossed from one holder to another. The 1950-51 Josh Gibson is easily the most valuable of all the Toleteros cards, and in the eyes of many, the most valuable of Negro League card of all. Of all the known Toleteros Josh Gibson cards, this example is, perhaps, the most rare and valuable. Roughly translated as “sluggers,” the Toleteros issues were produced by R. Garcia & Co. of Mayaguez, PR. The cards were issued in small
List of 1950-51 prizes, from the Toleteros album.
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It goes without saying that with prizes as large trips, refrigerators, and bicycles, that the “chase” cards were produced in small quantities. Though they are occasionally found, they are extraordinarily rare today. Presented here is such a “chase” card, but not an ordinary one: it is the most valuable and highly sought after card in the set! Josh Gibson, boldly overprinted with the Garcia logo and the letter “L” in deep, red ink, underneath Gibson’s belt on the card. SGC has assigned a grade of PR 1, which speaks partially to the horizontal crease that runs across the card and a small piece of clear tape on the reverse, but is more a way of addressing the overprint. Neither major grading company currently recognizes the overprinting, as the cards and the issue itself are rare enough that few are found, and references to the prizes in surviving Toleteros literature does not appear to be sufficient to sway them. This is, of course, another reason hobbyists should be pressuring the industry to revive the Standard Catalog as a central clearing house for hobby knowledge. But we digress. This is a truly remarkable card. A rare variation of the most sought- after of all Caribbean cards, the 1950-51 Toleteros set features the only card featuring one of the most famous players in Negro League history. The Gibson is perhaps the most famous of all Negro League cards, a card that seldom makes its way to public auction,
1949-50 prize winners, as printed in the 1950-51 album.
and routinely sets price records. This is the only example of a 1950- 51 Toleteros Josh Gibson with a prize redemption overprint that we have ever seen, and perhaps the only one in existence. Simply an amazing artifact.
MINIMUM BID: $10,000
5. Rare 1950-51 Toleteros Dick Seay w/Redemption Stamp
Exceptionally rare 1950-51 Toleteros card with the “Instant Winner” overprint bearing the letter “C” (which would qualify it for use in spelling the teams “Caguas,” “Ponce,” or “Santurce”). One of very few surviving examples bearing the overprint, the card has been graded PR 1 by SGC, due in part to the aforementioned red printing, but also to a heavy surface abrasion on Seay’s cap. Seay was the second baseman in the Newark Eagles’ “million dollar infield,” playing alongside Hall of Famers Mule Suttles, Willie Wells and Ray Dandridge. He missed three seasons due to WWII, and sadly was in his 40s as baseball began to integrate, so he never played Major League Baseball. MINIMUM BID: $100
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6. 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb (HOF - Red Background) w/Ty Cobb Back - Early Example! - SGC A
The T206 Ty Cobb with the reverse that advertises Ty Cobb brand smoking tobacco is one of the most sought-after rarities in the hobby. Though the “Red Background” is found the most frequently of the four Cobbs in the T206 issue, the Ty Cobb Smoking Tobacco advertisement on the reverse is orders of magnitude more rare than the fabled T206 Honus Wagner, a card so rare that most collectors will live their lives without holding or seeing one in person. Though the card has been the subject of much speculation over how - or if - it was issued, current hobby wisdom is that the cards were distributed only in tins of Ty Cobb brand smoking tobacco. Since the majority of the early-discovered examples of this card were found in Cobb’s home state of Georgia, it has been theorized that the tobacco brand was only sold in that state, hence its extreme rarity. Long considered one of the most important cards of the tobacco era, the “Cobb with Cobb Back” has seen an increase in visibility in recent years, thanks to an exceptional 2016 find of eight examples of
with T206 cards. As a result, many collectors believe that the Cobb with Cobb Back should be considered a set all its own. However, the hobby in general has embraced the card as a T206, with only the Red Background Cobb available with this back. Because the T206 Cobb with Cobb back is such an extraordinary rarity, it is possible to research online and find records of virtually every sale of the card. This particular example can easily be traced to its first and only public sale, by hobby pioneer Lew Lipset, in his April 2009 auction. At that time, only about a dozen examples were known, and this one helped clarify some of the mysteries around its distribution. It was discovered in a Ty Cobb Tobacco tin, leading Mr. Lipset and many others to the belief that the cards were distributed in, or with, the tins - a belief that most collectors maintain today. Since that initial 2009 sale, the card has remained in private hands until finding its way to Love of the Game. As is the case with a large percentage of the earlier discoveries of this card, this example does exhibit small spots of paper loss on the front, including abrasions obscuring some of the lettering in Cobb’s name. As is the case with some of the earlier discoveries, this example is marked by discoloration of the surface at the top portion of the card, likely a combination of extended contact with the metal tin in which it was stored, and similar contact with the tobacco product that came in the tin. What appears to be either product or rust staining can be seen
the card, all discovered among the belongings of a southern family, tucked away inside a paper bag. The story generated significant news coverage, as seven of the cards were dubbed “The Lucky 7 Find” (the family initially elected to keep the eighth card as a memento of the discovery). Prior to the discovery of these cards, just fifteen examples of the card were known to exist. The increase in population and the flurry of news coverage served to heighten awareness of the card, and the sales of the seven cards in that find - through a combination of private transactions and public auctions - realized record prices as the cards were absorbed into the hobby during the ensuing years. Despite the influx of these new examples into the hobby, the card remains as desirable and highly-prized as ever, and the new discoveries have mostly made their way into private collections. In fact, virtually every example that has sold at public auction since 2016 has originated from that find, and there has not been a public sale of any example since 2021. The card is often the subject of friendly debate among collectors, as it does have a physical characteristic that differentiates it from other T206 cards. A thin coat of gloss was applied to the front of all but one of the known Cobb cards (a card speculated to be a proof), similar to the gloss found on T213 Coupon Cigarettes cards or even T207 Brown Background cards. That gloss, over time, is subject to considerable flaking, cracking, chipping, and toning that is typically not seen
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in several areas on the card front. Similar toning and marking, along with some light paper loss, can be observed on the back. Conversely, the card is sharp, with four square corners, and none of the surface creasing that is consistent with handling. As is the case with all significant hobby rarities, the technical grade, however, is of little importance. Most collectors wishing to own one do not have the luxury of being selective, as only a couple of dozen examples exist, at most.
At the time of this card’s discovery, only a dozen or so examples of a T206 Cobb with Cobb Back were known to exist. Even today, decades later, the card is the most rare of all T206 cards - certainly more rare than the extremely valuable Wagner and Plank cards. An extremely important piece - one that helped solidify that theory that the card was distributed inside the tins of Ty Cobb Smoking Tobacco, auctioned in 2009 by one of the hobby’s great pioneers. In a class by itself, one of the hobby’s most significant rarities.
MINIMUM BID: $10,000
7. c.1880’s Macintyre Bros. Studio Sam Thompson (HOF) Cabinet Photo - SGC FR 1.5
Magnificent cabinet photo featuring Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Thompson posing for a studio portrait, courtesy of the MacIntire Brothers studio of Philadelphia. Photographer James A. MacIntire maintained his studio at 1528 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia between 1885 and 1890, which theoretically increases the likelihood that the photo was taken between 1889 and 1890, after Thompson was purchased from the Detroit Wolverines in October of 1888. While it is certainly possible that Thompson had this photo taken while he was traveling to Philadelphia with the Wolverines, that ballclub was no stranger to photography studios, as the Tomlinson Studio was responsible for many Wolverines studio photos between 1886 and 1887. Thompson was a big right fielder who averaged nearly 1.5 RBI per game in his career, batting .331 lifetime with 126 lifetime home runs. With good speed and great power for his day, Thompson was baseball’s first 20/20 man, his lifetime home run total ranking second all-time behind Roger Connor at the end of the 19th Century. Thompson still ranks among the all-time leaders with 61 double plays from the outfield. This cabinet photo, part of a recent discovery of 19th Century baseball photos, is a gorgeous one, with very few imperfections, and virtually zero issues with the photo. The gold leaf edges are still intact and virtually new in appearance, the photo exhibiting virtually no wear or surface issues. Extremely close examination of the reverse reveals what could be very light glue staining and mild discoloration from being mounted in an album for many years. That same album preserved the photo, which exhibits no foxing or image fade, and appears virtually new. Simply a stunning example of a rare cabinet, one of just two examples we have encountered, featuring one of the most important players of the 19th Century. MINIMUM BID: $2,500
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