A collection of baseball cards worth over $2 million, set to be showcased at the Strongsville Sports Collectors Convention, has gone missing from an Ohio hotel. This shipment included 54 precious cards, many of which are exceedingly rare.
In a startling incident at an Ohio hotel next to the venue of the Strongsville Sports Collectors Convention, a shipment containing baseball cards valued at more than $2 million has reportedly been stolen. Memory Lane Auctions, which had shipped these cards for exhibition at their booth, reported the loss. The collection featured a range of high-value cards from various eras, including rare post-War issues.
The shipment, originating from Memory Lane’s headquarters in Southern California, was last accounted for via hotel security footage showing its delivery and receipt at the Best Western Plus Hotel. However, the package disappeared before it could be retrieved by a Memory Lane representative, leading up to the convention held from April 19-21.
Among the missing items were exceptionally rare cards such as T206 tobacco cards, 1914 Cracker Jack cards, Brunner’s Bread cards from 1911-14, early Exhibit cards, and premium-grade cards of baseball icons Mickey Mantle and Roberto Clemente. The incident occurred despite the auction’s total proceedings amounting to over $8 million, and the missing cards were insured fully.
Police are actively investigating with at least one local lead, though no suspects have been apprehended yet. The distinctive nature of the stolen items poses a significant challenge for the thieves, as such rare and well-cataloged cards are difficult to sell without raising suspicion. The theft underscores the perils associated with transporting and exhibiting high-value collectibles at large-scale events.