The Summer 2024 Classic Auction

Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds game used bat is a Hillerich & Bradsby model R161 labeled from the 1967-69 period, early in the career of the man widely considered to be the greatest catcher of all time. Ash bat has a small handle crack and shows great use including ball marks, stitch impressions, a small chip to the barrel, and pine tar on the handle. Bench's number 5 is written on the knob in black marker while the model number is stamped. After appearing in just 26 games in '67, Bench showed flashes of what was to come in his first full season, appearing in 154 games with 15 homers and 82 RBI to earn Rookie of the Year honors. He proceeded to win two National League MVP honors and was the anchor of the Big Red Machine dynasty of the '70s, earning 10 Gold Glove awards. Comes with PSA/DNA LOA grading this magnificent memento a near-perfect GU 9.5, with the only thing preventing this from being a perfect 10 being the handle crack. Exceptional Hall of Fame piece from a legend of the game.

Derek Jeter New York Yankees signed game used bat is a Louisville Slugger model P72 dating from the circa 2005 labeling period. Black ash bat is uncracked with outstanding use including pine tar residue at the base and higher on the handle, ball impressions and light checking on the barrel. Measures 34.0" and weighs 31.7 ounces, no stamp or writing is evident on the knob. The Captain's distinctive autograph in 8/10 silver Sharpie rests between the trademark and barrel stamp. In '05, Jeter batted .309 and his Gold Glove defense at shortstop - one of five earned in his illustrious Hall of Fame career - led the Bronx Bombers to the top slot in the American League East. Comes with PSA/DNA LOA grading this magnificent specimen a perfect GU 10 (note that the LOA is for game use only and does not offer an opinion on the signature).

Thurman Munson New York Yankees game used bat is an Adirondack model 257A dating from the 1976 labeling period, however it does not include the Bicentennial barrel stamp. Excellent use displayed includes a handle crack, slight checking to the barrel, and general wear. Measures 35" and weighs 35.2 ounces, and is ash with a flame-burned finish, number 15 is written on the knob in black marker and model number is stamped. This bat was obtained in 1976, the season in which Munson posted 105 RBI and a .302 average, enough to earn that year's American League Most Valuable Player honor. Though he played just 11 seasons before his life tragically ended in a 1979 plane crash, Thurman Munson left an indelible mark on one of the most storied franchises in professional sports history. Comes with PSA/DNA LOA grading this beauty a GU 9.

Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates professional model bat is an Adirondack model 194RW (Roberto Walker) dating from the 1971-72 labeling period. Ash bat has flame-burned finish, is uncracked, and substantial use evident includes ball marks, and pine tar. Measures 36.0" and weighs a massive 37.7 ounces, with model number stamped into the knob. The actual use history of this specimen is somewhat in doubt, as noted in the PSA/DNA LOA: "The oral history presented has the bat being used by both Clemente andPirates teammate, Willie Stargell. Neither number appears on the knoband the bat does not display identifiable characteristics of eitherplayer." As such, we do not classify this as a Game Used Clemente bat, though it does carry a GU 6 grade from PSA. Though into his mid-30s, Roberto was as dynamic as ever during the 1971 and '72 seasons, batting .341 and .312 respectively while ending the latter campaign with exactly 3,000 career hits. Sadly, during the following off-season, Clemente was killed in a plane crash while on a relief mission to assist earthquake survivors.

Ken Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners signed game used bat is a Louisville Slugger model C271 dating from the 1991-97 labeling period. Black ash bat measures 33.75" and weighs 30.8 ounces, with outstanding use including a repaired handle crack and evidence of heat damage to the barrel, along with crossed handle tape and various scuffs. Junior has signed along with his #24 in 8-9/10 fine point silver Sharpie between trademark and barrel stamp. Labeling period covers Griffey's 2017 MVP season, in which he led the American League in homers (56), RBI (147), and runs scored (125). Comes with PSA/DNA LOA grading this beauty a GU 8 (note that the LOA and grade cover only the game use, not the autograph).

1999 George Sisler Jr. New York Yankees World Championship Ring. In 1999, the New York Yankees swept the Atlanta Braves in the World Series to capture their 25th title and cement themselves as "The Team of the Century." This gorgeously-designed ring features the iconic Yankees logo encrusted with diamonds on the face. There is text inside the ring that reads, Balfour 14K. On the right side of the ring is the Yankees top hat and bat logo next to a banner that reads, The Century's Team. Below the logo is another banner that reads, 25th World Championship. On the left side of the ring is the name SISLER in bold block letters. This ring, just like the rings the players received, was presented to George Sisler Jr. for his years of dedication and work with the Columbus Clippers, the Yankees farm team. Sisler Jr. was the son of Hall of Fame first baseman George Sisler. This ring appears to never have been worn and is in mint condition. Included with the ring is its original presentation box. The dark wooden box has an oval-shaped glass in the center with, New York Yankees, 1999 World Champions, printed in all caps on the glass.

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2002 Los Angeles Lakers championship ring presented to Lindsey Hunter. Offered here is a very rare player ring from the 2002 Los Angeles Lakers championship team, the team's third title in a row. The size 11 ring shows minor wear and includes 61 diamonds on the face, including three triangle-shaped diamonds in center to represent the Lakers' "three peat." "HUNTER" is engraved on the left side of the ring, directly above an engraving of the iconic NBA logo. The Lakers' logo is etched into the right side of the ring, above the worlds "SLAM DUNK" and "2002." "14K" is stamped inside the ring. Hunter played in all 82 of the Lakers' regular season games for the 2002 championship team. The consigner of this one-of-a-kind ring obtained it directly from Hunter.

The 1997 Florida Marlins became the first team in Major League history to win the World Series as a wild card, stunning the favored Cleveland Indians for their first championship. Featuring a roster stuffed with super-talented players and veteran manager Jim Leyland, the Fish put it all together in October before the general manager dismantled the team during the offseason. This miniature version of the team championship trophy was handed out to members of the winning team, including players, coaches, and high-ranking team officials. This particular one belonged to slugging outfielder Gary Sheffield and came directly from the Florida native, who batted .320 during that memorable postseason run, with homers in each of his team's three postseason series. The trophy, which stands just shy of a foot high, features the pennants of every Major League team, the baseball/crown centerpiece, Marlins and Indians pins, and this wording on the base: WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS, FLORIDA MARLINS, 1997, GARY SHEFFIELD, OF, #10. It is in EX-MT condition. The Marlins have won two championships (also in 2003), yet have never won a divisional title.

The trophy presented to stock car racer Marvin Panch after he won the 1961 Daytona 500. The trophy is 37" at its tallest point and the base is 12" by 12". The plaque on the item reads: Autolite Racing Award - Daytona International Speedway - Daytona 500 - Feb. 26th, 1961, Marvin Panch - Winner - Worlds Fastest Stock Car Race. The trophy features 5 eagles with one atop a golden vase and an athlete between the columns holding a laurel. The item is in very good condition and does feature some professional restoration on some of the metal parts due to wear over time. Panch won the 1961 race driving a Pontiac for Smokey Yunick's team. He was not initially scheduled to take part in the race, but was added late on the suggestion of fellow racer Fireball Roberts. Panch took the lead in the race over the last 13 laps after Roberts car suffered a blown engine. There were no caution flags during the entirety of the race, a rarity for the time. Over the course of his 17 year career, Panch would win seventeen NASCAR events, including the 1966 World 600. The highly-decorated racer is a member of the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame as well as the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and was named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. 

2003-2004 Exquisite Collection Basketball Rookie Patch Autograph Parallel #78 LeBron James (R) card.  The card has been graded and encapsulated by BGS NM+ 7.5 with an Auto grade of 10.  Sub-grades are centering 9.5; edges 7.5; corners 7; and surface 7.5.  The auto was done in blue upon a white background beneath a two color swatch.  The card was purchased in 2004 and remained in our consignors collection ungraded until Lelands submitted it for grading in 2024.  Only one other example of this card has been graded by Beckett since July 2020.  This is perhaps the single most important RPA in the hobby.

1997-1998 Metal Universe Championship Basketball Precious Metal Gems #14 Anfernee Hardaway card.  The card has been graded and encapsulated by PSA NM 7.  It has a clear image of Hardaway with in a finger roll layup pose against a shimmering blue-grey background.  The edges appear crisp and centering is excellent.  The top right corner has a very light touch while the remaining corners are sharp.  The reverse is bright and clean.  It is #26/50.  A scarce and rarely offered example. 

1998-1999 Skybox EX Century Basketball Essential Credentials Future #68 Dirk Nowitzki (R) card.  The card has been graded and encapsulated by PSA EX-MT 6.  It has a colorful image of Nowitzki in the post backing down to the basket against a gold and clear background.  The edges appear smooth and centering is excellent.  All four corners are sharp.  The reverse is clean.  It is #19/23.  A rarely offered and rare example.

2015 Panini Flawless Football Greats Patches Autograph Gold #23 Tom Brady Auto card.  The card and autograph have been graded and encapsulated by BGS Gem Mint 9.5 with an Auto grade of 10.  Sub-grades are centering 9.5; edges 9.5; corners 9; and surface 9.5.  It is #2/10.  The autograph is done in blue beneath an image of Brady and above a red jersey watch.

2020 Panini Contenders Autographed Cracked Ice #101 Joe Burrow (R) card.  The card and autograph have been graded and encapsulated by PSA/DNA MT 9 with an Auto grade of 10.  It has a colorful image of Burrow in passing pose with an autograph in blue below against a white background.  All four corners are sharp while the edges are crisp.  Centering is excellent.  The reverse is clean.  It is #22/22.

1952 Topps Baseball #311 Mickey Mantle First Topps card. The card has been graded and encapsulated by PSA Good 2. It retains its original gloss with a bright and clear image of a young Mantle against a blue backdrop. Centering is good but with a very slight tilt. The borders have a light creamy appearance. The edges have very light roughness. All four corners have light rounding with the bottom right being the most evident. There is a light crease running from the top border near Mantle's cap to his ear. The reverse has two light wrinkles with one running in an arc beneath the #311 to just under Charles. The other runs near the right bottom edge. Despite these two wrinkles, the reverse is otherwise clean and bright in appearance.

1953 Topps Baseball #82 Mickey Mantle autographed card. The card and autograph have been graded and encapsulated by Beckett VG-EX+ 4.5 with an Auto grade of 9. The autograph was done in blue ink pen across the white shoulder of Mantle. The card itself presents a colorful and clear image of a young Mantle looking over his shoulder with a stadium background. The card retains its white borders with excellent centering. The edges exhibit a minimal amount of chipping. All four corners have light to moderate wear with the bottom left being the most apparent. The reverse is bright and clean.

1907 Wolverine News Co. Ty Cobb (batting) postcard. Graded PR 1 by SGC. In 1907 the Wolverine News Co. issued a series of real-photo postcards depicting members of the American League Champion Detroit Tigers. Cobb was one of five players to be featured twice in the twenty-card issue, once in a batting pose and the other in a fielding pose. Both are exceedingly rare, and each is far more elusive than either Cobb's 1907 H. M. Taylor postcard or his 1907-09 Dietsche postcards. The offered example, which is the first we have offered in the past twenty-five years, is one of only thirteen listed in the SGC Population Report, and a search of the PSA Population Report reveals just an additional ten. This card is also new to the hobby and recently surfaced among a small group of cards and baseball memorabilia belonging to a long-time Detroit collector. The card bears a message and address written in pencil on the reverse, and is postmarked "Jul 1 1911 Battle Creek Mich." A large horizontal crease, extending border to border is the main reason for its technically accurate grade, but aside from that, the card displays only light corner wear and a few tiny perimeter chips. A fine example of this seldom seen Cobb card.

1967 Topps Baseball #200 Willie Mays card.  The card has been graded and encapsulated by SGC MT+ 9.5.  It has a bright and colorful image of a grinning Mays with a blue sky background.  The borders are white and the edges are crisp.  All four corners are sharp.  Centering is near perfect.  The reverse is clean.  According to the PSA and SGC population reports, this is the highest graded example.

1915 Cracker Jack #10 Joe Jackson card.  The card has been graded and encapsulated by PSA as Authentic Altered.  It has a vivid image of Jackson with bat in hand against a deep red background.  The borders remain white and the corners are sharp.  Centering is slightly off left to right.  There are no creases and the card has excellent eye appeal.  The card appears short and likely trimmed in the holder.  The reverse has two small light spots near the border above the card number.  

attribute it to late 1960s as it says it expires in 1971

signed on front 6/10

circa playing days

1939 Playball Baseball #92 Ted Williams (R) card. The card has been graded and encapsulated by SGC NM 7. It has a clear black and white image of Williams in swinging pose with a stadium wall background. The borders are a light cream color while the edges are crisp. All four corners appear sharp. Centering is off left to right and slightly top to bottom The reverse is clean.

1968 Topps Baseball #177 Nolan Ryan (R) card. The card has been graded and encapsulated by SGC NM-MT 8. It has a colorful image of Ryan and Jerry Koosman set against a burlap border. Centering is excellent and the edges remain crisp. There is a very light touch on the top right corner with the remaining corners being sharp. The reverse is bright and clean.

Official American League (Johnson) baseball signed by New York Yankees Hall of Fame sluggers Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Ruth's signature occupies its usual spot on the sweet spot, with Gehrig's signature located on the panel directly to the left. Each signature has been scripted in black fountain pen and grades 4/10. This ball dates to the narrow two-year manufacturing period 1926-1927 and, presumably, was signed by the duo during that period. Ruth and Gehrig signed baseballs have always been the most highly prized of all dual-signed balls, and the fact that this ball possibly dates to the historic 1927 season makes it all the more desirable. The ball displays light toning and abrasions throughout, but the manufacturer's stampings remain bold. Very Good to Excellent condition overall. Full LOA from PSA.

Red-stitched baseball signed by Hall of Fame outfielder Roberto Clemente across the sweet spot. Clemente's signature has been scripted in blue ink and grades 7.5/10. Clemente single-signed balls featuring his signature on the sweet spot are the exception rather than the rule, as he normally signed on a side panel. As such, balls featuring a sweet-spot signature such as this have always been highly prized by collectors. The ball is darkly toned and displays several abrasions and nicks throughout. No manufacturer's stampings are visible with the exception of a "Haiti" stamp on the opposite sweet spot. Good condition overall. Full LOAs from both PSA and SGC.

Official Major League (Selig) baseball signed by Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022). Pope Benedict has scripted his name in black marker across the sweet spot, with the signature grading 8/10 overall. Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was the Cardinal Bishop of Ostia and the Dean of the College of Cardinals when he was elected to the Papacy in 2005. In 2013 he made history when he resigned his position, becoming the first Pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415. The ball displays a few scattered age spots and is otherwise in Near Mint condition. Full LOA from JSA.

Rare Joe DiMaggio single signed baseball featuring his full name: "Joseph Paul DiMaggio." DiMaggio has scripted his name in blue marker (grading 8/10) across the sweet spot of an Official American League (MacPhail) ball, with the signature slightly extending into both side panels. The ball displays light scattered age toning throughout and is otherwise in Near Mint condition. Full LOA from PSA.

On October 29, 1985, Chicago’s sports fans held their collective breath. The reason for that was because Michael Jordan, the dynamic young guard for the Bulls, playing in his second season, left the game against the Golden State Warriors with a serious foot injury. A series of test followed and on November 5th, the Chicago Tribune reported the grim news to a disheartened fan base: “The worst possible scenario for the Chicago Bulls, their greatest fear, became a cruel reality Monday when X-rays revealed that Michael Jordan, the heart and soul of this up-and-coming franchise, has a fractured bone in his left foot and will be out for at least six weeks.” Unfortunately, Jordan missed six months, not six weeks, and during his sixty-four-game absence the Bulls, who began the season 3-0, fell to 24-43.

Offered here are the shoes Jordan was wearing that fateful night during his sophomore campaign when he suffered the first major injury of his professional career. The shoes were a gift to our consignor’s father, who received them personally from Jordan at the time (they were friends), and they have remained in his family’s sole possession until this time. The red-and-white Nike Air Jordan I sneakers feature a black Nike “Swoosh” emblem on each side and black laces. The left shoe is size “13,” while the right shoe is size “13 ½.” The code "850102-TYPS" is printed on the interior of each shoe. The (85) is code for 1985, (01) is code for January and (02) is code for February, meaning these shoes were produced between January and February of 1985. Nice wear is displayed throughout, including scuffs, loose threads, and paint transfers. Because the injury occurred in the third game of the 1985-1986 season, and because the shoes were produced halfway through the 1984-85 season, it's possible that the shoes may have been worn during a portion of Jordan’s rookie season, but that is only speculation. Jordan scored 12 points in 18 minutes prior to his injury, which was enough to help the Bulls win the game 111-105.

Jordan eventually made his return on March 15, 1986 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and finished the season out by playing in the remaining 14 regular season games and all three Playoff games against the Celtics. Since Michael needed extra protection for his foot, he had Nike make him modified versions of the Air Jordan I’s, including the Air Jordan I’s with dunk sole, Air Jordan I’s with custom strap, and the Air Jordan 1.5 prototype. Through searching online resources, including Getty Images, we confirmed that MJ wore a modified Air Jordan I version in 13 of the 18 post-injury games, including the entire Playoff series against the Celtics. The only games we cannot confirm, nor deny, are 3/19 at 76ers, 3/22 at Cavaliers, 4/3 at Pacers, 4/5 vs. Hawks and 4/7 vs. Bucks. Without photo or video evidence from these five remaining games, we cannot be 100% certain, but it is highly likely that the shoes offered here are the last pair of original Air Jordan I's that Michael Jordan ever wore in an NBA game. Comes with MEARS LOA.

Estimate: $400,000-$500,000

"I arrived hoping to stop a great man, but I went away convinced that I had been undone by someone who was not born on the same planet as the rest of us," said Benfica goalkeeper Costa Pereira following a 5-2 loss to Pele's Santos team in the 1962 International Cup Final in Lisbon, Spain, a match in which Pele notched a spectacular hat-trick. Edson Arantes do Nascimento [Pele] was born in 1940 in Tres Coracoes, Brazil. At age 15 he was playing for the Santos Football Club, and by age 16 he was also playing for the Brazilian National Team. As is the Brazilian custom, players are often given a nickname, like a stage name, and Edson soon earned the nickname of Pele. In his career, including "friendly" games, Pele scored 1,279 goals in 1,263 games.

                    Not Yet Complete ES

-all original and shows really nice use

-light staining most likely from perspiration

-ATHLETA tag in collar with additional washing instruction tag in Spanish

-it is vintage signed from the period on the chest area with his full name-signature has faded a bit but still very readable

-MEARS letter and grade of authentic, they do not assign numerical grades to soccer jerseys

-PSA letter for the signature

-TALK ABOUT PELE

Even at age 36 in his most recently completed season, there is only one "Sid the Kid." Such was the phenomenal talent on tap when the Pittsburgh Penguins selected Sidney Crosby in the 2005 draft that he was considered a star before he ever hit the NHL ice as an 18-year old in 2005-06. Spectacular Crosby jersey is black with skating penguin logo crest across the chest, and Pens' 50th Anniversary patch on right breast. Reebok tagging with size 56 is in collar while special team tagging inside tail dates this to the December 20, 2016, game vs. the New York Rangers. Captain's C is on left breast in yellow-on-white tackle twill, number 87 is on both shoulders in black-on-white, and on back in yellow-on-white; name is on a plate above the rear number in all yellow letters. The Kid got things going for Pittsburgh in their 7-2 victory over New York on 12/20, scoring a goal in the first six minutes and adding an assist. Crosby earned the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's top scorer in '16-17 with 44 goals; he surprised many by adding 42 tallies this past season, showing he's far from done while his 592 career markers to date already has the future Hall of Famer placing 21st among all-time NHL leaders. The jerseys from this game were sold for the Dollar Energy Fund Jerseys For Warmth fundraiser; comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from the Pittsburgh Penguins stating that this was game worn. Also comes with Photo-Match.com LOA, pairing this specimen to Getty 630320850.

A jersey worn by LeBron James during a December 5th, 2018 Los Angeles Lakers victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The purple uniform top features black, gold and white trim. Lakers, the number 23 on the front and back and James name are all in gold lettering. Above the number 23 on the front is a white Nike swoosh and the logo for Wish, a team sponsor. The jersey was manufactured by Nike and the front tail tag notes that it is a size 50 with 6" of additional length. There small tags that read M.A.P 12/05 and LALW 02100 next to the front tag. On the back collar is a gold tag commemorating the Lakers then-16 NBA Championships (they now have 17). James was outstanding in the 12/5/2018 game, a 121-113 victory over the Spurs. In one of his classic filling-the-box-score games, the small forward scored 42 points on 15-24 shooting with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Included with the lot is a letter from the National Basketball Association and the MeiGray Group certifying the item's authenticity and a photo of James wearing the jersey. 2018 was James first season in Los Angeles after he was signed away from the Cleveland Cavaliers. One of the greatest basketball players of all-time, James has won an NBA title with each of the three franchises he has suited up for. 

A boxing robe worn by Larry Holmes during his first fight against Michael Spinks on September 21st, 1985. The red and white robe is satin with cloth lining and was manufactured by Everlast. The item, which shows fine use, is missing the sash and a patch has been removed from the front, but otherwise, the robe is completely original. The back of the robe reads, World Champion Larry Holmes and the front features an Everlast patch and is signed in black in by Holmes. The item comes from the collection of boxing historian and expert Craig Hamilton who has included a letter of opinion noting that the robe was worn by Holmes in his first fight against Spinks (his first professional loss). Holmes was a feared fighter during the 1970s and 80s. He won his first 48 fights with wins over such luminaries as Ken Norton (winning the WBC Championship) Earnie Shavers and Muhammad Ali. 

Rare full ticket from the bout that set off one of the most momentous trilogies in boxing history - Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier at Madison Square Garden on March 8, 1971. Ticket measures 1.75x5.5" and is for the 2nd Promenade level. Very slight rounding of the corners is noted and the color of the card stock has faded to a light brown, though the print is clear and legible. The back displays an area of paper loss from tape removal at the bottom, though this does not affect the front. Encapsulated by PSA and graded FULL GOOD 2, this is one of just 11 full tickets ever submitted for grading. The battle between the undefeated Goliaths attracted global attention, with Frazier retaining his Heavyweight Championship in a 15-round decision, dealing Ali his first professional loss. This would spawn two more fierce battles, with The Greatest living up to his nickname by outlasting Smokin' Joe in both.

1986 NBA Playoffs ticket stub is from Michael Jordan's extraordinary 63-point game in Game 2 of a first-round series between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics. The balcony seat stub dates from the Celtics' 135-131 double-overtime victory on April 20, measures 1.5x2" with an uneven tear, and written on back is "Celts 135 - Bulls 131 - 2OT" in black ink. Jordan's record-setting heroics were not enough to keep his Bulls from being swept in three games, but add to his case for being the undisputed GOAT - not only does MJ continue to hold the record 38 years later, but His Airness currently holds five of the top 12 all-time single-game playoff scoring marks (before the '24 NBA Playoffs). Ticket is encapsulated by PSA, graded STUB VG-EX 4(MK), the only such example graded at this level with only two higher.

Displayed is a 1970 NBA Finals Game 7 ticket stub from the game between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers on May 8th at New York's Madison Square Garden when the Knicks' injured Willis Reed helped the team claim the franchise's first championship. Reed, a Hall of Fame center, tore a muscle in his right thigh in Game 5 of the Finals. He sat out Game 6, won by the Lakers as Wilt Chamberlain took advantage of Reed's absence to score 36 points and grab 27 rebounds. Reed was thought to not be able to play in Game 7, but he took painkillers in his thigh and made a dramatic entrance to the court during pregame warmups. Reed started the game and hit his first two shots. Although he finished with only four points and three rebounds, Reed's inspiration and his solid defense on Chamberlain were major factors in the Knicks' win. Walt Frazier had a tremendous game for the Knicks, scoring 36 points and notching 19 assists as the Knicks prevailed, 113-99. The ticket stub measures approx. 1.75x2.3". It is for a playoff "Game 11" for a $7.50 2nd Promenade seat. The stub has been encapsulated and PSA graded as GOOD 2(MK).

Martin Luther King Jr., signed items relating to baseball are exceedingly scarce. Offered here is one of those rarities, which is just the second such example we have ever seen: a Brooklyn Dodgers ticket stub signed by MLK on the reverse. PSA has encapsulated the ticket stub and certified the signature as "Authentic." King's signature, "M. L. King," has been scripted in blue ink on the reverse of the stub, with the signature grading 5/10."

The ticket was issued for a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Ebbets Field on July 18, 1957. King was in town that day at the request of evangelist Billy Graham, who invited King to deliver the invocation at "Billy Graham's New York City Crusade," held at Madison Square Garden. Obviously, while in New York, King took time to catch a game in Brooklyn. Lelands recently offered another ticket to this game, also signed by Martin Luther King Jr., which appeared as Lot 951 in our 2023 Spring auction. That former ticket was handed down to our consignor by his grandfather, who attended the game and personally had King sign it for him. Unbeknownst to us at the time, the grandfather had two tickets signed by King that day, with the second ticket going to a different family member. This is that second ticket, consigned directly by the other family member. 

Very few items have such outstanding "crossover" appeal as this piece, as it touches upon several different areas of collecting, including baseball, politics, civil rights, religion, and pop culture. The stub (1.25x2.75") displays a moderate-to-heavy horizontal crease and a few tiny areas of surface paper loss on the reverse (not affecting the signature). 

Rare original Type I photograph capturing Babe Ruth during his 1915 rookie season with the Boston Red Sox. This is not just a Ruth rookie photo, but one of the earliest images of Ruth as a member of the Boston Red Sox because it was taken prior to the start of the regular season at the Red Sox's 1915 spring training facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We know this because a smaller snapshot photo of this very image appeared in a 1915 spring training photo album belonging to Red Sox team owner Joseph Lanin (the album was sold at auction many years ago). Like that smaller photo in the Lanin album, the offered photo also comes with impeccable provenance. This photo once belonged to Ruth's 1915 Red Sox teammate Dick Hoblitzell and has been consigned to this auction directly by a Hoblitzell family member. 

The photo captures Ruth posing on the field with ten of his teammates, all of whom are identified on the reverse by a vintage pencil notation, below which is written the year, 1915. The players pictured here, left to right, are Guy Cooper, Vean Gregg, Dutch Leonard, Carl Mays, Babe Ruth, Rube Foster, Joe Wood, Ernie Shore, Ray Collins, Ralph Comstock, and Everett Scott. The credit stamp of Boston photographer G. T. Murphy also appears on the reverse. (Murphy's credit stamp can be found on a few other 1915 Boston Red Sox spring training photos we have seen over the years.) 

It must be noted there are very few, if any, images of Ruth as a member of the Boston Red Sox that predate the offered photo. Ruth was signed by the Red Sox on July 9, 1914, but he appeared in only four games with the club before being sent down to the minors on August 5th for the remainder of the season. To the best of our knowledge, no photos of Ruth as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 1914 have ever surfaced. Therefore, the photos taken of Ruth during spring training in 1915 are the earliest images we have of him with the Red Sox. Ruth was twenty years old at the time of this photo, and it may be surprising to some to see how thin he was during his early days. Ruth was a starting member of the club's vaunted pitching staff in 1915 and he finished his rookie campaign with a record of 18-8 and a 2.44 ERA. And, in what would be a foreshadowing of things to come, he led the team in home runs with four, despite having only 103 plate appearances. 

The photo (8.5x6.5") displays a tiny chip in the upper right corner, a few small, light creases in both the bottom left and upper right corners, a tiny red mark near the lower right, and a few stray pencil marks along the right border. The central image area picturing the players is free of any significant flaws and has an overall Excellent to Mint appearance. Encapsulated as Type I Authentic by PSA.

Vintage 1950s-era photo capturing Lou Gehrig during the historic "Lou Gehrig Day" ceremony at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939. The iconic image captures Gehrig as he tries to hold back tears during the emotional moment. The photo (6x9.5") remains in Excellent to Mint condition. Encapsulated as Type IV Authentic by PSA.

Striking Type I photograph of Detroit Tigers outfielder Ty Cobb as seen through the gifted lens of noted baseball photographer Paul Thompson. The legendary "Georgie Peach" is pictured standing in front of the dugout prior to game as he surveys the playing field in the same way that a general does right before battle. The intensity of Cobb's gaze is palpable, and makes one feel truly sorry for whichever team he faced that day. Paul Thompson's credit stamp appears on the reverse, as does Cobb's name and team affiliation, and the year, "1912." Despite that year notation, research indicates that the uniform style shown here was used by the Tigers only in 1915. An additional stamping reading "The Ring, Inc," indicates that this photo was once housed in its archives. The photo (6 x 8") displays a vertical crease to the left of Cobb's image (does not affect Cobb's image in any way) and is otherwise in Excellent condition. Encapsulated by PSA as Type I Authentic. 

iconic photograph from his most important card, the 1958 Topps Rookie

PSA Type III

Original Type I photograph capturing Lou Gehrig on May 2, 1939, the day he ended his then-record streak of having played in 2,130 consecutive games. The photo captures Gehrig as he sits alone on the steps of the dugout while watching the players warm up prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Briggs Stadium. This is an iconic image and one that was later featured on the cover of the August 1939 issue of Baseball Magazine, as well as countless other books and publications over the years. Despite its familiarity, Type I examples are rare. This is the first example we have ever offered and one of just a few we have seen. An International News Photo credit stamp appears on the reverse, along with several date stamps (the earliest is May 5 1939), editorial markings, and two New York Yankees Public Relations credit stamps. The photo (6.5x8.5") displays a heavy diagonal crease in the upper right corner, light-to-moderate creasing throughout, and heavy editorial shading and markings on the front (indicative of how many different times this photo was used for print purposes). Encapsulated as Type I Authentic by PSA.

The 1934 tour of Japan is perhaps the most celebrated of all overseas baseball tours, mainly because it was the only such tour to include Babe Ruth. While nearly all souvenirs related to the tour are scarce, the rarest and most significant of those are the tour albums, which were issued only to the participating players and a few accompanying VIPs. Presented here is one of those seldom-seen albums, which includes all three signature sheets of the American and Japanese team members, as well as twenty-three of the twenty-four original photos.

The United States team-signed sheet is the first page in the album and features the black fountain-pen signatures (averaging 8/10) of the twenty team members: Babe Ruth, LouGehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Connie Mack (Mgr.). Lefty Gomez, Earl Averill, CharlieGehringer, Lefty O'Doul, Bing Miller, Eric McNair, Rabbit Warstler (in green fountain pen),Frank Hayes, John Quinn, Joe Cascarella, Robert Schroeder (the Philadelphia A'ssecretary), Doc Ebling (team trainer), Moe Berg, Earl Whitehill, Clint Brown, andSotaro Suzuki (the club's Japanese interpreter). 

Each of the twenty-three photos (11x9") in the album has been mounted upon its respective page, as issued. The first photo is a team composite, featuring portrait images of each team member, while the remainder capture the tourists both on and off the field during the trip. Babe Ruth is pictured in eleven of the photos, with Gehrig appearing in seven (several picture both of them). Additional images include the Empress of Japan (cruise ship with Americans)pulling into port, the welcoming ceremony, Gehrig, Ruth& others receiving garments from Japanese women (on the boat), Ruth riding in car during a parade (waving American and Japanese flags), the American team eating in a restaurant, the American team posing together (off the field), the American& Japanese teams together (in uniform), an aerial shot of Meiji Jingu Stadium, and Ruth at the plate. Two of the photos (Ruth in the parade and the American and Japanese teams posing on the field) display moderate tears, otherwise all are in Excellent condition overall. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this tour was the participation by journeyman catcher Moe Berg, who was a  Princeton graduate and a polyglot. Berg was a last-minute addition to the star-studded roster, but not for reasons relating to baseball (he was a lifetime .243 hitter). Unbeknownst to all at the time, Berg was recruited by the OSS (the forerunner to the CIA) to act as a spy during the trip. Berg took surveillance films of the cities they visited, many of which were later useful in Doolittle's raid of Japan in World War II, and gathered general intelligence. Berg continued to serve in the OSS through World War II and later. 

The album (15x11x3") is missing its original covers, but has been professionally rebound with leather boards. Two small sections of the original cover, featuring Japanese lettering, have been affixed to the new front cover. It should be noted that very few of the surviving albums are complete. Most of the time the signature sheets have been removed, as well as many of the photos. Also, the original covers are most often damaged and/or missing. This is the second-most complete example we have ever handled and one that would be an outstanding addition to any advanced collection. Full LOA from PSA for the signature sheet.

Scarce inaugural 1939 Baseball Hall of Induction ceremony ticket, signed by both Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb on the reverse. PSA has encapsulated the ticket and certified each signature as Authentic. This ticket has a unique provenance. Our consignor grew up in upstate New York and in 1939 his father attended the Hall of Fame induction. This was his father's ticket for the event and afterward, his father was lucky enough to meet Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb, both of whom were gracious enough to sign it for him. Accompanying the ticket is a 1939 Centennial of Baseball first-day cover that his father obtained that same day, which he had postmarked at the Cooperstown post office. It should be noted that the ticket alone is both a scarce and significant collectible. Signed examples by a member of the inaugural 1939 Hall of Fame induction class are exceedingly rare, let alone one signed by both Ruth and Cobb. Each player has signed the ticket on the reverse in pencil. Ruth's signature is the stronger of the two, grading 8/10, while Cobb's signature grades 6/10. The ticket (5.5x2.75") displays three tack holes: one each in the upper left and lower right corner, and one along the bottom border. The tack hole in the lower right has torn through, but with no loss of paper. A few light creases are also evident, none of which affect the signatures on the reverse. The first-day cover (6.5x3.5") displays a tear in the upper left corner and is otherwise in Excellent condition.

Baseball signed in black fountain pen by seven of the eleven inductees who attended the dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame on June 12, 1939. The boldest of the signatures is that of Babe Ruth (grading 6/10), which adorns the sweet spot. The remaining signatures on the ball are those of Ty Cobb (5/10), Tris Speaker (4/10), Connie Mack (5/10), Honus Wagner (1/10), Walter Johnson (1/10), and George Sisler (1/10). As PSA notes in its accompanying LOA, there is evidence of additional writing on the ball that is too faint to read. The red-stitched baseball, which has no visible manufacturer's stampings, is moderately toned and soiled, with a few light abrasions. In Very Good condition.1939 marked the 100th Anniversary of Baseball and the highlight of the yearlong celebration across America was the dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame. At the time of the dedication, twenty-five players/managers/executives had been inducted, but only eleven were still alive. This incredible ball features the signatures of seven of those eleven and is missing only Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins, Cy Young, and Grover Alexander. Balls signed by all eleven inductees present that day are exceedingly rare and often command exorbitant prices, as evidenced by the only such example we have ever sold, which realized $236,389 in our 2019 Spring auction. The offered ball is the second-most complete 1939 Hall of Fame induction ball we have handled, making it both a rare and significant souvenir from that historic day. Full LOA from PSA.

Rare and historically significant baseball signed in blue ink by four of the legendary seven Mercury astronauts: Gus Grissom, Alan Shepard, Scott Carpenter, and Wally Schirra. The official National League (Giles) has been signed by Grissom and Shepard together on a side panel, while the signatures of Carpenter and Schirra appear individually on opposite side panels. The date of the signing, "July 7, 1963/Houston, Texas," is written in blue ink on the sweet spot. All the signatures are uniform in grade, averaging 8/10. The signature of Gus Grissom is the scarcest of the four because he died tragically in the cabin fire of Apollo 1 in 1967. While only speculation, this ball was most likely signed when the four appeared at a Colt's 45 game at Colt's Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Research indicates that the Colts hosted the Milwaukee Braves on July 7, 1963.) The "Mercury Seven" as they were named, were America's first astronauts and helped pioneer the space program, which culminated in a manned moon landing in 1969. Excellent to Mint condition overall. Full LOA from PSA.

Displayed is a 1927 New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox multi-signed baseball, with 13 signatures. The Official League Ball has five (5) signatures of Hall of Fame inductees: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Toy Lazzeri of the N.Y. Yankees, plus Red Faber and Ted Lyons of the Chicago White Sox. The ball has eight other signatures, all of the White Sox: Moe Berg - a catcher who became United States spy, Alex Metzler, Bill Barrett, Bibb Falk, Willie Kamm - a star third baseman, Harry McCurdy, and Tommy Thomas. The 1927 Yankees were known for their famous 'Murderer's Row" line-up, usually referring to the first six batters in the normal Yankee line-up: Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Ruth, Gehrig, Bob Meusel, and Lazzeri.  Half of that Murderer's Row line-up signed the offered baseball, all of them signing on one panel. Ruth, hitting third, batted .356, with 60 home runs and 165 RBIs; Gehrig, batting clean-up, hit .373, with 47 home runs and 173 RBIs; Lazzeri, hitting sixth, batted .309, with 18 home runs and 10 RBIs. The '27 Yankees went 110-44 in the regular season and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. Only the 13 aforementioned autographs are deemed to be PSA AUTHENTIC. All of the other writing on the baseball was done by an unknown hand. The ball has had a protective coating, such as shellac, applied. While the ball has faded over the years, the signed baseball is in nice condition. The offering comes with a PSA/DNA LOA (Cert. # AN09238). 

Historic Pittsburgh Steelers home "Bumblebee" jersey worn by Ben Roethlisberger on November 1, 2015, during the game in which he became the first quarterback in franchise history to pass for over 40,000 yards. Accompanied by an LOA from Resolution Photomatching confirming the jersey's use by Roethlisberger in that game. This is one of the finest Roethlisberger game-used jerseys we have ever handled given both its rare style and record-book significance. 

The black-and-gold striped mesh jersey features the number 7 on the front and reverse. All numerals are applied in black tackle twill upon a rectangular white-on-black tackle twill backing. Roethlisberger, is lettered in black tackle twill upon a gold mesh nameplate on the reverse. Located in the collar is a 2015 year  tag, which is adjacent to a Nike On Field 50 label bearing the lettering Q-BK at the base. Roethlisberger has inscribed the jersey (B. Roethlisberger 7) in black Sharpie (grading 7/10) on the reverse number plate. The jersey is original as issued and displays outstanding use, including soil stains and paint transfers. 

The Steelers wore these rare throwback-style jerseys in a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on November 1, 2015. Roethlisberger played the entire game at quarterback for the Steelers, finishing with 231 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in the Steelers' 16-10 loss to the Bengals. While the Steelers lost the game, Roethlisberger etched his name in the record books that day by becoming the first quarterback in Steelers history to pass for over 40,000 yards. He also became only the sixteenth player in NFL history to reach that passing milestone. Additionally, Roethlisberger's first-quarter touchdown pass moved him into sole possession of 15th place on the all-time passing touchdown list, one ahead of Sonny Jurgensen. Full LOA from Resolution Photomatching.

Houston Astros home "Rainbow Style" jersey worn by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan in 1986. Graded "Superior" by Dave Grob of SGC ("Superior" is the highest designation on the SGC grading scale for jerseys). The multicolor knit jersey is lettered "Astros" on the front and features a "star" on the left breast. "Ryan" is lettered on a white name plate on the reverse, with the number "34" directly below. All front letters and all numerals are applied in navy on white tackle twill. All reverse letters are applied in navy tackle twill. A "Goodman & Sons 44" label appears on the left front tail. A "1986 All-Star Game" patch adorns the left sleeve. The jersey is original as issued and displays moderate use and wear. 1986 marked the final season that the Astros wore this "Rainbow Style" jersey, which made its debut in 1975.

1996 was Nolan Ryan's twentieth season in the Major Leagues, but the "Express" showed no signs of slowing down that year. Ryan started 30 games for the club in 1986 and finished the season with a record of 12-8 to help lead the club to a first-place finish in the National League West Division. He also recorded 194 strikeouts in 178 innings, for an average of 9.8 strikeouts per 9 innings. In the 1986 NLCS against the New York Mets Ryan made the final two postseason appearances of his career. He lost game 2 by a score of 5-1 and recorded a no decision in Game 5, holding the Mets to two hits and one run in nine innings. One of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, Ryan retired after the 1993 season with a record 5,714 strikeouts and 324 wins. Full LOA booklet from Dave Grob of SGC.

Syracuse road football jersey worn by legendary running back Ernie Davis during the circa 1960-1961 season. Graded a perfect A10 by MEARS. This is an outstanding Ernie Davis jersey in all respects, and one of the finest we have ever offered. The white Dureen jersey features the number "44" on the front and reverse in navy tackle twill with orange stitching. A "Wilson 48" label is located on the left front tail. As one might expect, the jersey displays considerable wear, including a team repair on the front, several small unrepaired tears and gouges, stains from both field dirt and sweat, loose threads, and paint transfers. Original as issued, with no alterations. 

The story of Ernie Davis is one of the most tragic in sports history. Davis enjoyed a stellar collegiate football career at Syracuse, where he followed in the footsteps of his idol, Jim Brown (he wore #44 because that was Brown's number at Syracuse). Following his 1961 senior season, Davis became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy and was selected by the Washington Redskins with the number one pick in the NFL draft. Because of their racist policies at the time, Davis refused to play for the Redskins and was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he would team in the backfield with Jim Brown. Unfortunately, Davis never played a down for the Browns after being diagnosed with Leukemia. Davis died two years later at the age of twenty-three. In honor of his memory, the Browns retired Davis' issued uniform number ("45"). In 2005, Syracuse retired the number "44." Davis was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979. Full LOA from MEARS (graded A10). 

A jersey worn by LeBron James during a December 5th, 2018 Los Angeles Lakers victory over the San Antonio Spurs. The purple uniform top features black, gold and white trim. Lakers, the number 23 on the front and back and James name are all in gold lettering. Above the number 23 on the front is a white Nike swoosh and the logo for Wish, a team sponsor. The jersey was manufactured by Nike and the front tail tag notes that it is a size 50 with 6" of additional length. There small tags that read M.A.P 12/05 and LALW 02100 next to the front tag. On the back collar is a gold tag commemorating the Lakers then-16 NBA Championships (they now have 17). James was outstanding in the 12/5/2018 game, a 121-113 victory over the Spurs. In one of his classic filling-the-box-score games, the small forward scored 42 points on 15-24 shooting with 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Included with the lot is a letter from the National Basketball Association and the MeiGray Group certifying the item's authenticity and a photo of James wearing the jersey. 2018 was James first season in Los Angeles after he was signed away from the Cleveland Cavaliers. One of the greatest basketball players of all-time, James has won an NBA title with each of the three franchises he has suited up for. 

** PER JORDAN, REMOVE FROM AUCTION **

Mizuno Pro, year "00-" and number "51" tagging on front tail

shows nice wear with loose threads

Blue Wave patch on left sleeve, "KOBE" patch on right sleeve, ___ patch above the Kobe

talk about Ichiro with Blue Wave

last year before coming to MLB 

2003-2004 Exquisite Collection Basketball Rookie Patch Autograph Parallel #78 LeBron James (R) card.  The card has been graded and encapsulated by BGS NM+ 7.5 with an Auto grade of 10.  Sub-grades are centering 9.5; edges 7.5; corners 7; and surface 7.5.  The auto was done in blue upon a white background beneath a two color swatch.  The card was purchased in 2004 and remained in our consignors collection ungraded until Lelands submitted it for grading in 2024.  Only one other example of this card has been graded by Beckett since July 2020.  This is perhaps the single most important RPA in the hobby.

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Baseball signed in black fountain pen by seven of the eleven inductees who attended the dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame on June 12, 1939. The boldest of the signatures is that of Babe Ruth (grading 6/10), which adorns the sweet spot. The remaining signatures on the ball are those of Ty Cobb (5/10), Tris Speaker (4/10), Connie Mack (5/10), Honus Wagner (1/10), Walter Johnson (1/10), and George Sisler (1/10). As PSA notes in its accompanying LOA, there is evidence of additional writing on the ball that is too faint to read. The red-stitched baseball, which has no visible manufacturer's stampings, is moderately toned and soiled, with a few light abrasions. In Very Good condition.1939 marked the 100th Anniversary of Baseball and the highlight of the yearlong celebration across America was the dedication of the Baseball Hall of Fame. At the time of the dedication, twenty-five players/managers/executives had been inducted, but only eleven were still alive. This incredible ball features the signatures of seven of those eleven and is missing only Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins, Cy Young, and Grover Alexander. Balls signed by all eleven inductees present that day are exceedingly rare and often command exorbitant prices, as evidenced by the only such example we have ever sold, which realized $236,389 in our 2019 Spring auction. The offered ball is the second-most complete 1939 Hall of Fame induction ball we have handled, making it both a rare and significant souvenir from that historic day. Full LOA from PSA.

On October 29, 1985, Chicago’s sports fans held their collective breath. The reason for that was because Michael Jordan, the dynamic young guard for the Bulls, playing in his second season, left the game against the Golden State Warriors with a serious foot injury. A series of test followed and on November 5th, the Chicago Tribune reported the grim news to a disheartened fan base: “The worst possible scenario for the Chicago Bulls, their greatest fear, became a cruel reality Monday when X-rays revealed that Michael Jordan, the heart and soul of this up-and-coming franchise, has a fractured bone in his left foot and will be out for at least six weeks.” Unfortunately, Jordan missed six months, not six weeks, and during his sixty-four-game absence the Bulls, who began the season 3-0, fell to 24-43.

Offered here are the shoes Jordan was wearing that fateful night during his sophomore campaign when he suffered the first major injury of his professional career. The shoes were a gift to our consignor’s father, who received them personally from Jordan at the time (they were friends), and they have remained in his family’s sole possession until this time. The red-and-white Nike Air Jordan I sneakers feature a black Nike “Swoosh” emblem on each side and black laces. The left shoe is size “13,” while the right shoe is size “13 ½.” The code "850102-TYPS" is printed on the interior of each shoe. The (85) is code for 1985, (01) is code for January and (02) is code for February, meaning these shoes were produced between January and February of 1985. Nice wear is displayed throughout, including scuffs, loose threads, and paint transfers. Because the injury occurred in the third game of the 1985-1986 season, and because the shoes were produced halfway through the 1984-85 season, it's possible that the shoes may have been worn during a portion of Jordan’s rookie season, but that is only speculation. Jordan scored 12 points in 18 minutes prior to his injury, which was enough to help the Bulls win the game 111-105.

Jordan eventually made his return on March 15, 1986 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and finished the season out by playing in the remaining 14 regular season games and all three Playoff games against the Celtics. Since Michael needed extra protection for his foot, he had Nike make him modified versions of the Air Jordan I’s, including the Air Jordan I’s with dunk sole, Air Jordan I’s with custom strap, and the Air Jordan 1.5 prototype. Through searching online resources, including Getty Images, we confirmed that MJ wore a modified Air Jordan I version in 13 of the 18 post-injury games, including the entire Playoff series against the Celtics. The only games we cannot confirm, nor deny, are 3/19 at 76ers, 3/22 at Cavaliers, 4/3 at Pacers, 4/5 vs. Hawks and 4/7 vs. Bucks. Without photo or video evidence from these five remaining games, we cannot be 100% certain, but it is highly likely that the shoes offered here are the last pair of original Air Jordan I's that Michael Jordan ever wore in an NBA game. Comes with MEARS LOA.

Estimate: $400,000-$500,000

incredibly scarce as there are only two PSA graded examples

The other is only Authentic, so this PSA VG 3 (mk) is pop 1 of 1 highest graded

Other than the Clemente MLB Debut ticket we sold for $121,334.40, this is the most important Clemente ticket in the hobby

writing on the back

iconic that his last hit was #3,000

Houston Astros home "Rainbow Style" jersey worn by Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan in 1986. Graded "Superior" by Dave Grob of SGC ("Superior" is the highest designation on the SGC grading scale for jerseys). The multicolor knit jersey is lettered "Astros" on the front and features a "star" on the left breast. "Ryan" is lettered on a white name plate on the reverse, with the number "34" directly below. All front letters and all numerals are applied in navy on white tackle twill. All reverse letters are applied in navy tackle twill. A "Goodman & Sons 44" label appears on the left front tail. A "1986 All-Star Game" patch adorns the left sleeve. The jersey is original as issued and displays moderate use and wear. 1986 marked the final season that the Astros wore this "Rainbow Style" jersey, which made its debut in 1975.

1996 was Nolan Ryan's twentieth season in the Major Leagues, but the "Express" showed no signs of slowing down that year. Ryan started 30 games for the club in 1986 and finished the season with a record of 12-8 to help lead the club to a first-place finish in the National League West Division. He also recorded 194 strikeouts in 178 innings, for an average of 9.8 strikeouts per 9 innings. In the 1986 NLCS against the New York Mets Ryan made the final two postseason appearances of his career. He lost game 2 by a score of 5-1 and recorded a no decision in Game 5, holding the Mets to two hits and one run in nine innings. One of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, Ryan retired after the 1993 season with a record 5,714 strikeouts and 324 wins. Full LOA booklet from Dave Grob of SGC.

Rare original Type I photograph capturing Babe Ruth during his 1915 rookie season with the Boston Red Sox. This is not just a Ruth rookie photo, but one of the earliest images of Ruth as a member of the Boston Red Sox because it was taken prior to the start of the regular season at the Red Sox's 1915 spring training facility in Hot Springs, Arkansas. We know this because a smaller snapshot photo of this very image appeared in a 1915 spring training photo album belonging to Red Sox team owner Joseph Lanin (the album was sold at auction many years ago). Like that smaller photo in the Lanin album, the offered photo also comes with impeccable provenance. This photo once belonged to Ruth's 1915 Red Sox teammate Dick Hoblitzell and has been consigned to this auction directly by a Hoblitzell family member. 

The photo captures Ruth posing on the field with ten of his teammates, all of whom are identified on the reverse by a vintage pencil notation, below which is written the year, 1915. The players pictured here, left to right, are Guy Cooper, Vean Gregg, Dutch Leonard, Carl Mays, Babe Ruth, Rube Foster, Joe Wood, Ernie Shore, Ray Collins, Ralph Comstock, and Everett Scott. The credit stamp of Boston photographer G. T. Murphy also appears on the reverse. (Murphy's credit stamp can be found on a few other 1915 Boston Red Sox spring training photos we have seen over the years.) 

It must be noted there are very few, if any, images of Ruth as a member of the Boston Red Sox that predate the offered photo. Ruth was signed by the Red Sox on July 9, 1914, but he appeared in only four games with the club before being sent down to the minors on August 5th for the remainder of the season. To the best of our knowledge, no photos of Ruth as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 1914 have ever surfaced. Therefore, the photos taken of Ruth during spring training in 1915 are the earliest images we have of him with the Red Sox. Ruth was twenty years old at the time of this photo, and it may be surprising to some to see how thin he was during his early days. Ruth was a starting member of the club's vaunted pitching staff in 1915 and he finished his rookie campaign with a record of 18-8 and a 2.44 ERA. And, in what would be a foreshadowing of things to come, he led the team in home runs with four, despite having only 103 plate appearances. 

The photo (8.5x6.5") displays a tiny chip in the upper right corner, a few small, light creases in both the bottom left and upper right corners, a tiny red mark near the lower right, and a few stray pencil marks along the right border. The central image area picturing the players is free of any significant flaws and has an overall Excellent to Mint appearance. Encapsulated as Type I Authentic by PSA.

New York Knicks home jersey worn by Hall of Fame forward Bill Bradley during the 1976-77 season. Graded A8 by MEARS. The white mesh jersey is lettered "Knicks" across the front and features the number "24" on the front and reverse. "Bradley" is lettered on the reverse, directly above the number. All front letters and numerals are applied in orange on blue tackle twill. All reverse letters are applied in blue tackle twill. A "Cosby" label appears in the collar, while a "Medalist Sand-Knit 42" label is located on the left front tail. The jersey is original as issued and displays light use. 

The 1976-1977 season marked Bradley's final year in the NBA. Limited to a reserve role in his final season, Bradley appeared in 67 games, averaging 15.3 minutes and 4.3 points. During a stellar ten-year career, all spent with the Knicks, Bradley averaged 12.4 points per game and helped lead the club to its only two World Championships in franchise history (1970 and 1973). A former Princeton standout, Bradley also was a member of the United States' 1964 Olympic Basketball Team, which won the gold medal. Following his NBA career, Bradley entered politics and served three terms in the United States Senate as a representative of New Jersey. He was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. Full LOA from MEARS (graded A8; 10 point base grade, with 2 points deducted for the light use).

Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds game used bat is a Hillerich & Bradsby model R161 labeled from the 1967-69 period, early in the career of the man widely considered to be the greatest catcher of all time. Ash bat has a small handle crack and shows great use including ball marks, stitch impressions, a small chip to the barrel, and pine tar on the handle. Bench's number 5 is written on the knob in black marker while the model number is stamped. After appearing in just 26 games in '67, Bench showed flashes of what was to come in his first full season, appearing in 154 games with 15 homers and 82 RBI to earn Rookie of the Year honors. He proceeded to win two National League MVP honors and was the anchor of the Big Red Machine dynasty of the '70s, earning 10 Gold Glove awards. Comes with PSA/DNA LOA grading this magnificent memento a near-perfect GU 9.5, with the only thing preventing this from being a perfect 10 being the handle crack. Exceptional Hall of Fame piece from a legend of the game.

Displayed is a 1927 New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox multi-signed baseball, with 13 signatures. The Official League Ball has five (5) signatures of Hall of Fame inductees: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Toy Lazzeri of the N.Y. Yankees, plus Red Faber and Ted Lyons of the Chicago White Sox. The ball has eight other signatures, all of the White Sox: Moe Berg - a catcher who became United States spy, Alex Metzler, Bill Barrett, Bibb Falk, Willie Kamm - a star third baseman, Harry McCurdy, and Tommy Thomas. The 1927 Yankees were known for their famous 'Murderer's Row" line-up, usually referring to the first six batters in the normal Yankee line-up: Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Ruth, Gehrig, Bob Meusel, and Lazzeri.  Half of that Murderer's Row line-up signed the offered baseball, all of them signing on one panel. Ruth, hitting third, batted .356, with 60 home runs and 165 RBIs; Gehrig, batting clean-up, hit .373, with 47 home runs and 173 RBIs; Lazzeri, hitting sixth, batted .309, with 18 home runs and 10 RBIs. The '27 Yankees went 110-44 in the regular season and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series. Only the 13 aforementioned autographs are deemed to be PSA AUTHENTIC. All of the other writing on the baseball was done by an unknown hand. The ball has had a protective coating, such as shellac, applied. While the ball has faded over the years, the signed baseball is in nice condition. The offering comes with a PSA/DNA LOA (Cert. # AN09238). 

Magnificent "old time hockey" wear punctuates this highly-prized circa 1968 Buffalo Bisons jersey, game worn by Bob Ash. As history notes, the Bisons franchise was owned by the owner of a local Pepsi distributor who cross-marketed the two entities, creating a hockey logo resembling the iconic red, white, and blue Pepsi logo, except with BUFFALO embroidered across the white space in individual letters. Dick Fischer wash tag and size 46 tag are in the collar, and the white sweater shows use consistent with the rough-and-tumble American Hockey League of the era, including over 30 team repairs, loose threads, blood stains, paint transfers, and heavy wear around the neck. Ash played defense for the Bisons for three seasons, spanning from 1967-68 to '69-70. While he never made it to the NHL, he did play in the World Hockey Association for three seasons. Bisons jerseys have become coveted collectibles, and this one displays the character to stand with the best of them.