Digital e-book catalog for LOTG's Spring, 2025 Premier Auction. Visit loveofthegameauctions.com to register and bid!
SPRING 2025 PREMIER AUCTION CLOSES APRIL 5, 2025 (845) 750-6366 | www.loveofthegameauctions.com
ON JANUARY 7 , a number of destructive and deadly wildfires began around Los Angeles. Exacerbated by drought conditions and heavy winds, the fires spread quickly, burning for weeks and destroying everything in their paths. Nearly 200,000 people were forced to evacuate, more than 18,000 buildings destroyed, with losses estimated at $150 billion. It was one of the most devastating disasters in the history of our country. The Eaton fire alone destroyed more than 9,400 structures and killed at least 24. Several collector friends and customers were forced to leave their homes, and their friends and families displaced. During January, we spoke with dozens of folks from the area who told story after story about the displacement of their neighbors – families who were forced to leave everything behind, who returned to find their homes and all their belongings destroyed by the fires.
As is always the case with these horrific disasters, though, we are inspired by the resilience and determination of people to rebuild and move forward. We’re even more inspired by how quickly people take action to help. As we’ve seen in recent years, we have so many differences, so many things that threaten to drive us apart – but when we really need each other, that’s when we pull together. I’ve been unfortunate enough to have witnessed a number of unexplainable tragedies – fires, floods, pandemics, even a horrible attack on American soil – and invariably, that’s when people rise up and lend a hand. We’re Americans, and more than anything else, that’s what we do. We stand strong in the face of adversity, and we pitch in and help our neighbors when they need it. From the sales of this auction, we will be donating a percentage of our profits to the Wildlife Recovery Fund of the California Community Foundation. The CCF addresses the long-term recovery needs of neighborhoods most in need, addressing housing, medical care, mental health of displaced residents. You can read more about the California Community Foundation at calfund.org. They do great work, and we’re proud to contribute what we can. According to Kings Research, the sports card market is nearly $10 billion in size. We are, among auction houses, one of the smallest. There are many companies in this hobby that are significantly larger than us, and many tout their size as a competitive advantage when competing for consignments. It is our hope that some of those significantly larger companies soon intend to announce their much larger contributions to help the victims as well. On a completely unrelated note, it is a new year, and unfortunately it is time for us to visit the issue of shipping. Several years ago, we switched to standardized shipping costs on all but the heaviest and largest lots. We ship everything by Priority Mail and FedEx, and in the face of withering price increases each year, we have not adjusted our shipping costs. Unfortunately, with the new year, we are forced to make a modest adjustment to our shipping costs. It’s not an astronomical increase – in most cases just two or three dollars – but we encourage you to consult our auction rules for specifics. We promise not to make it a habit, as our objective is to keep shipping costs as low as possible while shipping the most safe, secure way we can. And with that, it’s time for our Spring, 2025 Premier Auction – one of the most interesting auctions in our history, and certainly our largest in terms of number of lots. We thank all our consignors for contributing such excellent material, and wish the best of luck to all our bidders!
Best regards, Al Crisafulli Auction Director
SPRING 2025 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES APRIL 5, 2025 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 addi)onal charges for packing, domes)c 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 $14 per invoice valued at less than $400; $18 per invoice valued between $400 and $999, $25 per invoice valued between $1,000 and $4,999; $35 per invoice valued between $5,000 and $9,999; $60 per invoice valued between $10,000 and $49,999; $85 per invoice valued between $50,000 and $99,999, and $150 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.
SPRING 2025 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES APRIL 5, 2025 3
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SPRING 2025 PREMIER AUCTION − CLOSES APRIL 5, 2025
Featured Items.................................................................................................................................................................6 Great Cards....................................................................................................................................................................31 Pre-1900 Baseball Memorabilia..................................................................................................................................41 1901-Present Baseball Memorabilia...........................................................................................................................42 Baseball Tickets and Passes.........................................................................................................................................52 The Durham Find of Historic Baseball Photography...............................................................................................53 Baseball Photographs...................................................................................................................................................68 Baseball Postcards.........................................................................................................................................................75 19th Century Baseball Cards.......................................................................................................................................76 1901-1948 Baseball Cards............................................................................................................................................90 1949-Present Baseball Cards.....................................................................................................................................117 1960 Topps w/Wax Pack #1 Set Break......................................................................................................................128 Football Cards.............................................................................................................................................................164 Miscellaneous Sports Cards.......................................................................................................................................165 Miscellaneous Sports Memorabilia..........................................................................................................................167 Autographed Baseballs...............................................................................................................................................170 Autographed Baseball Cards.....................................................................................................................................171 Other Baseball Autographs........................................................................................................................................203 Miscellaneous Sports Autographs.............................................................................................................................207 Pop Culture & Americana.........................................................................................................................................208 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 TIM GALLAGHER – Consignment Director SPIKE GLIDDEN – Copywriter STEPHANIE KOWALSKY – Graphic Designer EVELYN MARIE ROSE – Marketing Coordinator
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1. Gorgeous Signed 1949 Bowman #50 Jackie Robinson (HOF) - PSA/DNA MINT 9
The ascension of Jackie Robinson onto the hobby’s Mount Rushmore of value and desirability is a welcome one. His well-documented greatness and grace under pressure paved the way for wholesale changes in American attitudes, values and beliefs about racial equality, not only in sports but in society as a whole. Suffice to say that the tightrope Robinson successfully walked was one that no other athlete has experienced, before or since. Today, few American athletes are more revered. Presented here is one of the ultimate Jackie Robinson collectibles - a beautifully-autographed example of his desirable 1949 Bowman card. Well-centered and clean, the autograph has been applied carefully across the center, underneath Robinson’s face, along with a familiar “Best wishes” salutation. The signature remains strong enough to have garnered a grade of MINT 9 from PSA/DNA. The boldness of the signature, coupled with its contrast against the white background of Robinson’s jersey, the ink matching the Dodger blue alongside it, ranks it among the finest signed Jackie Robinson cards we have ever seen. The card image itself is clean and well-centered, with tremendous print registration in an issue that is often lacking in this area. The card itself has received an AUTHENTIC grade from PSA, pointing out the alteration of a very slight trim. Corner wear is otherwise natural and honest, at the VG+ level. One of just nine examples assessed by PSA/DNA, this is undoubtedly one of the finest, a rival to the example that sold for $360,000 at auction in 2024 in terms of aesthetics, if not grade. One of two mainstream issues considered to be Robinson’s rookie card, this is a superb example. Clean and colorful, the signature was carefully applied so as to be legible , not interfering with Robinson’s image or with the team name printed on his jersey. Part of a gorgeous, nearly-complete signed set that has been tucked away for some time, this is certainly one of Robinson’s most desirable cards and certainly one of his most rare. An incredibly important signed rookie card of the player who may be the most important of American athletes. A true hobby rarity. MINIMUM BID: $50,000
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Smoky Joe Wood Collection 2.
1915 Boston Red Sox Type I Team Photo w/Rookie Babe Ruth - (PSA/DNA) -
I mportant Type I photograph hailing from 1915, Babe Ruth’s first significant season with the Boston Sox. Measuring a full 8” x 10” the photo depicts a youthful Bambino at the age of only 20, flanked by his teammates, including three other future Hall of Famers in Harry Hooper, Herb Pennock, and Tris Speaker by his right shoulder. Indeed, 1915 proved to be one of the most historic seasons in franchise history, not only for the emergence of Ruth but for their 101-50-4 record; good for fourth best all-time for a Red Sox team. Though he did not play the field in the 1915 World Series it was the first of three Red Sox World Championship teams to which Ruth contributed, with the Sox of 1916 and 1918 also capturing baseball’s ultimate crown. Among the most sought after photographs in the hobby today are those related to Ruth’s rookie-era, such as the presented team photo,
captured at Fenway Park. One of two such examples known to exist, with this by far the superior extant specimen. Small areas of obvious chipping are visible to the top and bottom edges and a small tear is present along the left edge by second baseman Jack Barry’s right foot. Dark editorial embellishments have been added above the white caps of many players in the image to help separate them from the background. PSA has determined these embellishments were applied directly to the original glass plate negative and, consequently, developed as part of the original photographic print. Remnants of black paper remain affixed to verso, consistent with removal from a scrapbook or mount. Authenticated and encapsulated as a Type I photo by PSA/DNA. Originates from the estate of pitcher Smoky Joe Wood, who appears third from the left in the middle row. * Please note: this very example previously sold in our Summer, 2023 Premier Auction and was encapsulated as a Type III photo at that time. Over one year later a second example of this photo, with identical embedded editing, surfaced in the hobby which PSA determined to be a Type I photo. That photo ultimately sold elsewhere in September, 2024 in excess of $85,000. PSA then updated their opinion on the offered example, determining the embedded editing within both images is, in fact, a result of application to the original negative itself and not present due to use of a copy negative. A full LOA from PSA is included with this photo noting the critical distinction. MINIMUM BID: $20,000
FLIP HERE
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3. Rare and Beautiful 1888 Jos. Hall New York Giants Imperial Cabinet w/Six Hall of Famers
The Brooklyn photography studio of Joseph Hall produced a number of different baseball-related photographs, among which were a number of team photographs issued as cabinet photos. The more frequently-seen cabinets measure 6 1/2” x 4 1/2”, though several were produced in significantly larger sizes. Presented here is an incredible example, a rare imperial (10” x 8”) cabinet featuring a team photo of the 1888 New York Giants, a team with six Hall of Famers. The photo itself is unusual, in that the team is arranged so that all the subjects are looking to their right, and the camera is positioned to the side. This creates an interesting pose, unlike the straight-on team photos typical of this era. It is certainly the only example of this particular image we have ever encountered. The photo itself includes six Hall of Famers: Roger Connor, Buck Ewing, Tim Keefe, Orator Jim O’Rourke, John Montgomery Ward and Mickey Welch. Manager Jim Mutrie stands in the center in elegant top hat and tails, and is flanked by the rest of his team: William Brown, Elmer Cleveland, Cannonball Crane, Elmer
Foster, Bill George, “Piano Legs” Gore, Gil Hatfield, Pat Murphy, Danny Richardson, Mike Slattery, Mike Tiernan, Ledell Titcomb, and Stump Weidman. The subjects are listed on the mount, with corresponding numbers inconspicuously written into the negative near each player. Both the photo and mount are in incredible condition. The mount exhibits very little wear aside from minor edge and corner chipping, the photo in apparent NM condition save for a small blemish on Stump Weidman’s face, barely noticeable and mentioned for accuracy. Overall, the piece remains in EX/MT+ condition. The image is of remarkable clarity and contrast, with incredible detail - individual shoelaces, wrinkles in clothing, piping on uniforms, even details in the grandstand behind the players are clearly visible. An incredible piece, a beautifully composed photograph produced by one of the leading baseball photographers of the era, remarkably well-preserved, containing six Hall of Famers posed in an unusual way. One of the finest 19th Century photographic pieces we have ever offered. MINIMUM BID: $25,000
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4. Beautiful 1948 “Babe Ruth Bows Out” Pulitzer Prize-Winning Original Type I Photo Signed by Nat Fein (PSA/DNA)
New York Herald Tribune photographer, Nat Fein, captured this stunning image of an ailing Babe Ruth on June 13, 1948, more than a decade after the Babe’s final game. Titled “Babe Ruth Bows Out”, Fein’s image would be awarded the Pulitzer Prize For Photography in 1949, becoming the first sports-related photo to reach that pinnacle. On a day scheduled to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Yankee Stadium, the ballpark so often regarded as the House That Ruth Built, Ruth’s legacy was honored with a ceremony to permanently retire his iconic No. 3. In the late stages of cancer that would lead to his death just two months later, Ruth exited the dugout to a standing ovation, appearing in his old pinstriped uniform before a Yankee Stadium crowd 50,000 strong. Nat Fein, who was only present because the Herald Tribune ’s sports photographer called in sick, set up his now-iconic shot from behind the Babe and came away with one of the single most famous images of the 20th century. An approximately 9” x 12” rendition of “Babe Ruth Bows Out” with fantastic tonal contrast, the presented silver gelatin photograph
has been developed directly from Fein’s original negative. George Herman Ruth stands in the foreground, sharply focused, with the background gently blurred. A stylistic choice by Fein that subtly draws the viewer’s eye directly to the once-great hero, in uniform at Yankee Stadium for the final time. Surface of photo remains clean and smooth save for a tiny 1/8” area next to the Babe’s right knee where the emulsion has lifted. Nat Fein’s signature has been applied to the lower right corner with an inscription reading: “ To My Friend. Joe Fleming - Nat Fein. ” Significantly, Fein’s personal credit stamping appears at center of verso, reading: “ Photo by Nat Fein, Staff Photographer, New York Herald Tribune. ” “Babe Ruth Bows Out” unquestionably remains one the most desirable Type I photos within the hobby, with Fein’s masterwork representing one of sports photography’s most distinguished and impactful images of all-time. This superlative example has been authenticated as a Type I photo by PSA/DNA and their full LOA is included. MINIMUM BID: $15,000
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5. 1894 N142 Duke Cabinets Ed Delahanty (HOF) - SGC GD 2
Of all the 19th Century Hall of Famers, Ed Delahanty may be the most highly prized among collectors. Although featured on a number of cardboard offerings, it is Delahanty’s Duke cabinet that is perhaps the most desirable, and certainly the most breathtaking. Produced by Duke Tobacco to advertise its “Honest” brand, these 6” x 9” cabinet-style cards are the largest and most striking of all the cabinet-style baseball issues. The only full-color cabinet cards produced before 1900, the N142 is a multi-sport issue that includes just four baseball players and three cyclists. The selection of baseball players is outstanding, as three of the four - Delahanty, George Davis and Wilbert Robinson - are now in the Hall of Fame. The cabinets are rare: SGC has graded just 14 examples of the ballplayers, including only five of Delahanty. Of those five, just two have graded higher than this (the SGC pop report, such that it is, reflects just four graded, though we are aware of a fifth). For their part, PSA has graded just five examples, including three of Delahanty (one higher than this). The cabinets are incredibly difficult to track down in any grade, so the possibility exists that more than 7 subjects were produced, and have simply yet to be discovered. They are certainly considered to be among the most beautiful baseball cards ever produced. This example is truly an anomaly, as it presents significantly more strongly than the assigned grade. The image is wonderful, colorful and bold, virtually unblemished. Some very minor wear can be observed at the corners, with light surface wear at the border areas of the mount. The initials “J.C.M.” have been written neatly the top of the reverse, reducing the technical grade but having virtually no impact on the remarkable aesthetics of this piece. The cabinet otherwise appears in EX condition. Having examined all the higher-grade examples in PSA and SGC holders, we are comfortable in our assertion that this is the finest of all; irrespective of the technical grade (which is certainly accurate due to the marking). Simply an incredible example, perhaps the finest example of the most desirable card of Ed Delahanty, from the most attractive early cabinet issue. MINIMUM BID: $5,000
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6. April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson Original Type I News Service Photo - Robinson’s First Official Major League At Bat! (HOF - PSA/DNA)
This is it. Unquestionably and without hyperbole, the single most important event in baseball history, as it happened, on Opening Day, April 15, 1947.What at first glance appears to simply be a Type I photo featuring a fantastic overhead shot of Ebbets Field, reveals so much more upon close inspection. At the plate stands Jackie Roosevelt Robinson, stepping into the box for his first official major league at bat, as Boston Braves catcher, Phil Masi settles in. It was at this very moment that major league baseball became integrated, ending nearly six decades of segregation and racial intolerance in the sport. Several Type I photos exist within the hobby from Jackie’s earliest days with the Dodgers and the pre-season spring series played between the Bums and New York Yankees where Jackie first debuted in a major league uniform. Several Type I photos also exist from April 15 prior to Jackie’s first
official game, as Jackie and teammates posed for photographers. Incredibly, as far as we’re aware, this photo represents the only known Type I example to depict Jackie during his first official major league at bat, launching the civil rights icon’s storied eleven- season Hall of Fame career. Significant 7” x 9” photo displays typical light handling wear associated with working news service photos stored in archives for decades, with pinholes present to all four corners. Included paper caption, affixed with clear tape on verso, and dated to Opening Day on 4/15/1947, states “The stands at Ebbets Field are jammed as Jackie Robinson comes up to bat in the first inning of the initial tilt.” Verso displays credit stamping from both United Press News, and Acme, who initially issued this photo. Authenticated and encapsulated as a Type I photo by PSA/ DNA. MINIMUM BID: $2,500
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7. Historically Significant 1882 Providence Grays Large-Format Collotype w/4 HOFers
Outstanding collotype depicting the 1882 Providence Grays, members of the National League from 1878-1885. Seated in a formal studio setting, four nineteenth century future Hall of Famers are present in the image, including new Grays manager, Harry Wright, in the center. Other future Hall of Famers include: Hoss Radbourn (top row, second from left), John Ward (middle row, first from the left), George Wright (middle row, second from the left). Rookie catcher, Sandy Nava, appears seated in the bottom row to Harry Wright’s left. Nava, a native of San Francisco, is regarded today as the first known Mexican-American ballplayer to break into the major leagues. Remaining depicted players include: Jerry Denny, Jack Farrell, Barney Gilligan, Paul Hines, Charley Reilley, Joe Start, and Tom York. Interestingly, the image is reversed from left to right (not uncommon for collotypes) as compared to the 1882 Providence Grays cabinet card issued by Chicago Photographic Studios, though the angle subtly differs. Attractive overall presentation with several visible folds running vertically across the unvarnished paper. Some obvious deterioration of the image can be found in and around the folded
areas but fine details persist throughout, including within the facial features of most players. Visible soiling appears in several areas on right half of the print, most evident within the white borders at the corners, and “82” has been written in pencil at the bottom edge. Unfortunately, we cannot speak to condition of verso due to matting and framing as presented when consigned to Love of the Game. Large framed display measures 25” x 21” overall with visible paper area measuring approximately 17.25” x 13.75” . Akin to lithography, the complex collotype process employed original photographic negatives to create printing plates capable of stunning reproductions. Considered a high quality form of printmaking, collotypes are lauded today for their archival stability, wide tonal range, and exquisite photorealistic detailing, as evidenced by the offered example. This collotype resurfaced in 2006 and was discovered amongst memorabilia known to have belonged to George Wright personally. An important 19th century team image, produced of the highest quality, and featuring multiple key early pioneers of our national pastime. MINIMUM BID: $5,000
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The E90-1 card of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson is among the most valuable and highly desirable of all the caramel cards. Jackson’s “rookie card,” the E90-1 is among his most valuable as well, and is always in high demand among collectors. Despite having been infamously banned from baseball as a result of his involvement with the 1919 Black Sox Scandal, there are actually a host of Jackson cards available, as many different companies produced cards during Jackson’s career, and many featured different back variations, creating multiple versions of the same card. But it is the E90-1 card, featuring Jackson with Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s, that is his first true card, having been issued even earlier than the ultra-valuable T210-8 card that has attracted so much hobby attention as of late. In 1908 and 1909, Jackson shuttled back and forth between the A’s (where he managed 40 at bats in the two seasons), Greenville of the Carolina League and Savannah of the South Atlantic League. In 1910, Jackson split time between the Cleveland Naps and New Orleans of the Southern Association (where he is pictured on his T210-8 card), but by 1911, Shoeless Joe had proven himself a solid major league hitter, batting .408 in his first full season. From there his career trajectory went steadily upward before being derailed in 1920 by the aforementioned banning. Despite not being an important part of the 1909 Athletics (he had just 17 at bats that season), he somehow managed to become a part of the 120-subject American Caramel set. This is likely due to the proximity of the American Caramel Company (also based in Philadelphia) to the Athletics. Their foresight is to our advantage, as collectors are now treated to this immensely popular card from a highy desirable caramel issue. The card itself is a strong example, graded GOOD 2 by SGC. The card exhibits corner wear consistent with the grade, more notable at the bottom. Some light spider wrinkles and a couple of minor surface discolorations can be observed, but the card is largely clean with some mild soiling and surface wear. The overwhelming majority of surviving examples of this card fall on the low end of the grade spectrum; this example is quite pleasing for the grade, thanks to a rich purple background and clear, sharp printing. An exceptional card, one of the most desirable of all caramel cards. MINIMUM BID: $10,000 8. 1909-11 E90-1 American Caramel Joe Jackson - SGC GOOD 2
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9. 1921 White’s Big Tip Top Bread Baltimore Orioles Lefty Grove (HOF RC) - SGC GOOD 2 - Highest Graded
Extraordinarily rare, the cards formerly known simply as “1921 Baltimore Orioles” cards have recently been identified as White’s Bakery Baltimore Orioles. Issued only in the Baltimore area on a one-a-day basis, the cards were included in loaves of White’s Big Tip Top Bread. The sepia-toned cards are susceptible to severe condition flaws due to their method of distribution and the thin stock on which they were printed. However, the cards are extremely beautiful, oversized (3 1/4” x 5 1/2”), each featuring an attractive player photo and identifying information printed at the bottom of the card in an elegant typeface. The unnumbered cards are extraordinarily scarce, with PSA having graded just 42 cards in total, of the 22 known subjects in the set. Half of those cards are featured in this auction, we believe the largest group ever assembled. Though many of the players in the set wound up playing in the major leagues, the key card in the issue is unquestionably that of Hall of Famer Lefty Grove (spelled “Groves” on the card). The card, despite exhibiting surface and corner wear consistent with the grade, is extremely attractive, the sharp close-up image of the young legend creating one of his most beautiful cardboard offerings. Grove is the only Hall of Famer in the set, and this is his earliest known card. Between PSA and SGC, just four examples have been graded, and this is the highest of the four. One of the most rare of all Hall of Fame rookie cards, the highest-graded example and the key to an incredibly rare set, this is a spectacular card. An extremely important offering. MINIMUM BID: $10,000
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10. Ultra-Rare 1886 Hancock’s Philip H. Tomney - SGC EX 5
The 1886 Hancock’s cards represent the earliest- known minor league cards, issued by the men’s department of a Syracuse, NY department store and featuring members of the Syracuse Stars of the International League. The cards are among the most rare of all type cards, as just three examples are known to exist, each of a different player. The cards, which feature the player’s name and position printed on the reverse (the first baseball card issue to do so), feature a photographic image of the player, surrounded by a dark border. The cards, issued the same season as the N167 Old Judge issue, are among the earliest baseball cards issued.
Colonels, where he served as their regular shortstop in 1889 and 1890 before being replaced by future Hall of Famer Hughie Jennings. Tomney had five different poses in the N172 Old Judge issue.
This particular card has been graded EX 5 by SGC, with a clear, bold image. The Hancock’s cards were produced with round corners; this example does exhibit a bit of whiteness at the edges consistent with its age, most notable at the bottom right corner. Edge and corner wear are, of course, irrelevant, as its extreme rarity and age are the key factors in its appeal. Simply a remarkable card, one of the most impossible type cards to track down, the first instance of its public sale that we can find. The winning bidder will be the only person on the planet to own the only known example of this incredible rarity.
Described on the card reverse as “the great short stop,” Philip H Tomney had a nine-year professional career, including three seasons with the Louisville
MINIMUM BID: $5,000
11. 1916 M101-5 Famous & Barr #176 Jim Thorpe - PSA EX-MT 6 - 1/2, Just One Higher!
Produced by Felix Mendelsohn and featuring back advertising from a number of different businesses, the M101-4 and M101-5 cards of 1916 continue to experience explosive growth in popularity as collectors discover the photographic cards of the late 1910s and 1920s. Of the variety of back advertisements utilizing this design, the Famous & Barr examples are among the most complex, as it contains cards that parallel both the M101-4 and M101-5 issues, with a number of variations that add even further intricacy. Distributed by a St. Louis clothing store of the same name, the Famous & Barr cards are scarce in comparison with their Sporting News cousins, with nearly twice as many M101-5 Jim Thorpe cards graded by PSA as Famous & Barr. Of the 8 examples graded by PSA, just one example - a lone PSA 8 - has been graded higher, with just two examples at the EX-MT 6 level. This example, featuring the immensely popular athlete Jim Thorpe, is one of the issue’s key cards and one that does not make itself available very often, in any of the different back varieties with which it was produced. Nicknamed the “World’s Greatest Athlete,” Thorpe
won gold medals in the 1912 Olympics and played baseball, football and basketball professionally. He played parts of six seasons with the Giants, Reds and Braves, but his greatest baseball achievement was an anecdotal one: in a semipro game on the Texas/Oklahoma/Arkansas border, Thorpe hit three home runs into three different states! As a football player, Thorpe played 52 professional games, passing for four touchdowns and running for six more. He was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in its inaugural class in 1963. The Associated Press named Thorpe the greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th Century. His American heritage, coupled with his athletic dominance, make him one of the most popular and widely- collected of all sports figures. A crisp and well-
defined image is the key to this strong example, which boasts clean borders and corners consistent with the grade. A slight centering issue is apparent, likely keeping the card from a higher holder but certainly not detracting from the visual appeal of the photo itself. We have handled multiple examples of this card, none more bold or visually striking than this. One of the highest-graded Famous & Barr Thorpe cards, a key to a challenging and popular set.
MINIMUM BID: $5,000
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