Heritage Auctions recently hosted its Spring Sports Catalog sale, a major event that attracted collectors from around the globe and featured an impressive array of historic sports memorabilia. The auction was a resounding success, with high-profile jerseys and vintage bats from baseball icons generating nearly $5 million in total sales.
Leading the auction was a 1920 Walter Johnson Washington Senators jersey that sold for just over $2 million. This historic flannel jersey, confirmed through photo matching, was worn by Johnson during Babe Ruth's first game as a Yankee. The jersey had previously been owned by Johnson's teammate, Eric "Swat" Erickson, and remained in Erickson's family home in Jamestown, New York, until its release into the collecting hobby in the early 2000s.
Another major highlight was a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Sandy Koufax during his rookie season, which garnered $1.8 million. This piece is particularly significant as it represents one of Koufax's earliest known game-worn Dodgers jerseys.
Other notable lots included:
- A game-worn jersey from Carl Hubbell during his MVP seasons (1936-1939) with the New York Giants, which fetched $87,000.
- A 1943 St. Louis Cardinals jersey worn by Stan Musial during his MVP season, which sold for $180,147.
- A Milwaukee Braves jersey worn by Warren Spahn in the 1954 season, which realized $102,000.
- Reggie Jackson's 1969 Oakland A’s uniform from his 57-home-run season, which went for $99,000.
- An early 1920s Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger, possibly used in the last season Cobb hit over .400, which sold for $630,000.
- A 1953 Mickey Mantle bat, which a young fan in Oklahoma received before the 1954 season, brought in $324,000.
- A Hank Aaron glove photomatched to 1973 and formerly owned by a Milwaukee Brewers executive, which fetched $210,000.
The auction, spanning three days, attracted 3,650 bidders and generated more than $21 million in sales, nearly selling out all its lots. Record-breaking card sales also featured prominently:
- A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded SGC 7.5 set a new benchmark at $564,000.
- A 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb card set an all-time high at $63,000.
- A George Brett rookie card, one of only 11 PSA Gem Mint 10s, achieved $150,000.
Heritage Auctions' Spring Sports Catalog sale not only demonstrated the robust interest in sports memorabilia but also highlighted the historical and monetary value of these collectible items.