Heritage Auctions’ recent Spring Sports Catalog sale was a feast for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, drawing massive interest and smashing records with historic jerseys, bats, and cards stealing the spotlight.
At the heart of the action was a 1920 Walter Johnson Washington Senators jersey that stole the show, commanding a jaw-dropping sum of over $2 million. Crafted from flannel, this jersey was authenticated through meticulous photo matching to have been worn by Johnson during an iconic game—Babe Ruth’s debut as a New York Yankee. Originating from Johnson’s teammate, Eric “Swat” Erickson, the jersey had been carefully preserved by the Erickson family in Jamestown, New York, before making its way into the collecting world in the early 2000s. This piece last changed hands in June 2006 for $352,000, making its recent sale even more remarkable.
Following closely behind in the list of top sales was a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by the legendary Sandy Koufax during his rookie season, fetching an impressive $1.8 million. This jersey stands out as a remarkable piece of baseball history, capturing the essence of Koufax’s early career.
Several other notable pieces made waves in the auction, including Carl Hubbell’s New York Giants jersey from his MVP seasons of 1936-1939, which sold for $87,000, and a St. Louis Cardinals jersey worn by Stan Musial during his 1943 MVP season, fetching a strong $180,147. Warren Spahn’s Milwaukee Braves jersey from the 1954 season found a new home for $102,000, while a Reggie Jackson Oakland A’s uniform from his record 57-home run season in 1969 went for $99,000.
Memorabilia like a Ty Cobb Louisville Slugger bat from the early 1920s stole the spotlight, commanding a hefty $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 .400-hitting season.
A Mickey Mantle bat from 1953, gifted to a fan in Oklahoma before the 1954 season, fetched an impressive $324,000. Meanwhile, a Hank Aaron glove, verified to 1973 and previously owned by a Milwaukee Brewers executive, sold for $210,000, showcasing the rising demand for game-used fielder’s gloves among collectors.
Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, applauded the auction’s success, particularly noting the robust performance of game-worn items, especially fielder’s gloves, which are gaining popularity among collectors.
The three-day event attracted 3,650 bidders worldwide, raking in over $21 million in sales with nearly every lot finding a new owner. In addition to the jerseys and bats, several rare cards set records during the auction, including a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded SGC 7.5 that fetched $564,000 and a complete 1952 Topps master set with a PSA 6 Mantle card selling for $264,000.
The auction also featured high-value unopened items like a 1961-62 Fleer Basketball box that sold for $372,000 and a PSA 9 graded Wilt Chamberlain rookie card from the same set going for $198,000. A 1948 Bowman Baseball unopened wax pack graded PSA 7 found a buyer at $138,000, while a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card graded PSA 8 brought in $186,000.
This auction not only showcased the intense fervor and investment in sports memorabilia but also underscored the historical significance and financial worth of these rare collectibles, cementing their legacy in the sports world.
