GREAT MEADOWS, N.J., April 1, 2013 – Marking the opening of the 2013 baseball season as well as the opening of the Spring hobby auction season, Love of the Game Auctions’ “Opening Day” sale is slated to close this Saturday, April 6.
The sale features sports and non-sports memorabilia from the late 19th Century to the present, along with an outstanding selection of rare prewar baseball cards. In contrast to many of the hobby’s established auctions, Love of the Game attempts to present rarities to collectors in smaller, more affordable lots.
“What’s great about this auction is that we created lots that are high-quality, yet affordable to collectors,” explained auction director Al Crisafulli. “Anyone interested in acquiring that tough T206 front/back combination, or a hard-to-find Turkey Red cabinet card doesn’t have to mortgage their house to afford the giant lot it’s buried in. This is also great for consignors, because their items get plenty of individual attention and are less likely to get lost in the auction.”
A smaller, boutique auction, the sale contains less than 300 quality lots, each specially curated to cater to the advanced collector, with the clear images and detailed, informative lot descriptions that have already become a hallmark of the fledgling company. Specific auction highlights include:
High-End T3 and T9 Turkey Red Cabinets: A continuation of a collection of Turkey Reds offered in their Winter, 2013 auction, this auction contains a large grouping of cards that are among the highest-grade copies available. The group contains low-population, high-grade examples of Cy Young (PSA EX 5), Frank Chance, “Out At Third”, Red Dooin , Bobby Wallace (PSA EX/MT 6, the highest-grade example known), Orval Overall, Jordan/Herzog (PSA EX 5.5, with only one graded higher), Admiral Schlei, Wildfire Schulte and a large selection of beautiful Hall of Famers including Nap Lajoie, Walter Johnson, Willie Keeler, and more.
Rare N172 Old Judges: Offered as individual lots, the auction features an original owner collection of N172 Old Judges including several rarities and seven Hall of Famers. The rarities include the second-known example of the Charlie Parsons (Pitching, Ball in Left Hand) pose (Graded GOOD 2 MK by PSA), as well as the difficult-to-find Amos Rusie (PSA GOOD 2 MK) and Pud Galvin (PSA VG 3 MK) cards. The Hall of Famers include two different poses of Buck Ewing, plus Ned Hanlon, Tim Keefe, and Tommy McCarthy. For good measure, the auction also includes a rare N173 proof of John Doran, from the Vermont find of original glass-plate negatives, in a pose not found in the Old Judge issue.
Ty Cobb Signed, Handwritten Letter with Legal Content: Perfect for a law or accounting office, this gorgeous, framed display features a letter written by Ty Cobb to broadcaster Joe Clement of KLIX in Twin Falls, Idaho. In the letter, Cobb asks Clement for documentation to help him prove to California state tax authorities that he is a Nevada resident, and should not be responsible for state taxes in California.
A Selection of Rare, Baseball Postcards: The auction includes several rare postcards, including a rare 1905 Souveneir Post Card Shop postcard of the Cleveland Indians, a rare 1910 PC796 Sepia Postcard of Walter Johnson, a difficult “Pre-Rookie” postcard of Hall of Famer Stan Coveleski with the minor league Lancaster Red Roses, a difficult 1909-16 Max Stein postcard of Hall of Famer John McGraw, and more.
Interesting and Rare Memorabilia: Love of the Game’s growing memorabilia offering is topped by a number of rare pieces including a rare, unopened 1953 Red Man tobacco package, a first baseman’s mitt signed by Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg, two different baseball-themed pencil boxes from the late 19th Century, two framed replica jerseys autographed by Michael Jordan, an early 20th Century “Yankee Boy” tobacco tin, and a number of attractive and rare display items.
An Assortment of T206 Rarities: Love of the Game is becoming known for difficult-to-find T206 cards and front/back combinations, and this auction is no exception. Notable rarities include George Mullin with the ultra-rare Uzit Cigarettes back, a grouping of difficult Cycle 460 backs, and individual cards with American Beauty 460, Carolina Brights, Cycle 350, Hindu, Piedmont 42, Sovereign 460 backs, and more.
Scarce T207 Cards: Highlighted by Ward Miller, one of the issue’s key rarities, the auction includes an extensive selection of difficult T207 “Brown Background” cards. In addition to the Miller, the sale contains a number of scarce Broadleaf backs, as well as a Lena Blackburne with the rare Anonymous back and an Arthur Phelan with a super-rare red Cycle back.
Autographs: Several autographs of Michael Jordan are included, as well as baseball Hall of Famers Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Bob Feller, Johnny Mize, Larry Doby, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Bill Dickey, Ralph Kiner, Lou Boudreau, Early Wynn, Phil Rizzuto, as well as group-signed items from the 1941 Yankees, the 1970s “Big Red Machine,” the 1972 Baseball Hall of Fame induction class, the 1974 Dodgers, and a group of 20 Negro League stars.
The final date to bid in this auction is Saturday, April 6. To register for the auction and review the selection online, visit http://www.loveofthegameauctions.com. Love of the Game is in the process of assembling its Summer, 2013 auction, which will prove to be its biggest and most exciting auction yet. For more information, or to consign your valuable material, contact Love of the Game at [email protected] or (973) 452-9147.