Heritage Auctions recently hosted a monumental event that captivated the sports memorabilia world, drawing significant attention and astonishingly high sales figures. The Spring Sports Catalog sale was a showcase of iconic jerseys and bats from baseball legends, dominating the proceedings and leaving collectors in awe of these rare artifacts.
The star of the auction was the 1920 Walter Johnson Washington Senators jersey, a flannel piece that fetched just over $2 million. This historic jersey was authenticated through photo matching, confirming that it was worn by Johnson during a game of great significance—Babe Ruth’s debut as a New York Yankee. Originally owned by Johnson’s teammate, Eric “Swat” Erickson, the jersey had been preserved by Erickson’s family in Jamestown, New York, before making its way into the collecting hobby in the early 2000s. The last known sale of this jersey was in June 2006, where it changed hands for $352,000.
Following closely in top sales was the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Sandy Koufax during his rookie season, commanding a price of $1.8 million. This jersey is regarded as one of the most iconic pieces of baseball memorabilia sold in recent years, a true testament to Koufax’s legendary career.
Other notable items that found new homes during the auction include Carl Hubbell’s New York Giants jersey from his MVP seasons of 1936-1939, fetching $87,000. A St. Louis Cardinals jersey worn by Stan Musial during his 1943 MVP season was sold for $180,147. Warren Spahn’s Milwaukee Braves jersey from the 1954 season went for $102,000, and a Reggie Jackson Oakland A’s uniform from his record-breaking 57-home run season in 1969 realized $99,000.
The auction also saw significant interest in memorabilia such as a Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger bat from the early 1920s, which sold for an impressive $630,000. This bat, weighing 40.7 ounces and measuring 34 1/2 inches, is believed to have been used by Cobb during his last season hitting over .400. Additionally, a Mickey Mantle bat from 1953 that was gifted to a fan in Oklahoma before the 1954 season fetched $324,000. A Hank Aaron glove, photomatched to 1973 and previously owned by a Milwaukee Brewers executive, sold for $210,000, indicating a growing market interest in game-used fielder’s gloves.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, lauded the success of the auction, particularly noting the strong performance of game-worn items, especially fielder’s gloves, which are gaining popularity among collectors. The three-day event attracted 3,650 bidders from around the globe, generating over $21 million in sales with almost every lot finding a new owner.
The auction also saw several cards breaking records, including a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded SGC 7.5 that set a new record at $564,000. A complete 1952 Topps master set, featuring a PSA 6 Mantle, fetched $264,000. A 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb card sold for a record $63,000, while a George Brett rookie card, one of only 11 Gem Mint 10s registered by PSA, realized $150,000.
In addition to cards, high-value unopened material also made waves at the auction. A 1961-62 Fleer Basketball box closed at $372,000, and a PSA 9 graded Wilt Chamberlain rookie card from the same set brought in $198,000. A 1948 Bowman Baseball unopened wax pack graded PSA 7 sold for $138,000, and a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card graded PSA 8 fetched $186,000.
This auction not only highlighted the passionate world of sports memorabilia collectors but also showcased the historical importance and financial value of these rare and iconic collectibles. Heritage Auctions’ event will be remembered as a historic moment in the sports memorabilia market, setting new records and captivating enthusiasts worldwide.
