Clean Sweep Auctions is starting off the year 2024 with a bang, as they present an expansive and notable auction filled with historic baseball memorabilia. This premier event is capturing the attention of collectors and enthusiasts alike, with an impressive array of items that highlight the rich history of the sport.
One of the standout features of this auction is the collection of pre-War baseball cards, with two particularly rare T206 cards stealing the spotlight. First up is the T206 Ray Demmitt card, which holds an SGC 2 grade. Accompanying it is a Bill O’Hara card with an SGC 1.5 grade. Both of these cards are highly sought after by collectors of vintage baseball memorabilia.
But the T206 cards are just the beginning. The auction also boasts a Ty Cobb card, specifically the ‘bat on shoulder’ variant, with a Sovereign 350 back that has earned a PSA 3 grade. Another noteworthy item is an SGC Cy Young portrait card, graded SGC 4, making it a standout piece among the listings.
Among the rarities showcased in the sale are four M110 Sporting Life Cabinet cards from 1911. This set includes legendary baseball figures like Honus Wagner, Frank Chance, Nap Lajoie, and Christy Mathewson. These cards hold immense value due to their scarcity, as they represent a limited number of surviving examples from this early venture of the sports newspaper into card production, dating back over a century.
The auction also features other significant cards, such as an 1887 Allen & Ginter Mike “King” Kelly card graded SGC 5, a 1907 Dietsche Ty Cobb postcard (with the name on the front variation) graded SGC 1, and a rare 1908 Rose Postcard showcasing Hall of Famer Addie Joss. Additionally, there is a collection of 1911 Turkey Red Cabinets, including cards of Walter Johnson, Eddie Collins, Home Run Baker, Rube Waddell, and Addie Joss.
Moving through the decades, the auction continues with a range of key lots. These include a 1921 Exhibit Babe Ruth card graded PSA 2, a 1928 Harrington’s Ice Cream Ruth card with an SGC 1.5 grade, and a 1933 George C. Miller Dizzy Dean card graded SGC 3. There are also two 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig cards (graded PSA 2 and SGC 3.5 respectively), a 1933 Goudey 149 Ruth card rated SGC 5, and a 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams rookie card with an SGC 3 grade. Additionally, there is a 1948-49 Leaf Jackie Robinson RC graded Beckett 2 and a PSA 9 graded 1950 Callahan set. This impressive lineup also includes rookie cards of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays from the 1951 Bowman set, a 1952 Berk Ross Mantle card graded PSA 3, a 1952 Bowman Mantle card with a PSA 5 grade, and a 1954 Johnson Cookies Aaron RC graded PSA 7. The collection further extends to a 1958 Hires Root Beer with tab Willie Mays card, also graded PSA 7.
In addition to the baseball cards, the auction boasts complete sets, including the 1957 and 1967 Topps sets, with the latter featuring 90 graded cards.
But the auction doesn’t stop at cards. There are several standout autographed items, including a 1953 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle card signed by Mantle himself, a PSA 8 graded Jackie Robinson signed Hall of Fame postcard, and a 1931 Yankees team signed baseball.
For collectors of unopened material, the auction presents a 1988 Fleer basketball wax box and a 1986 Topps football rack box.
The event kicks off with an exceptional item fresh to the hobby: a 1939 Joe Cronin Boston Red Sox road flannel jersey, which has been rated a 9 by MEARS, adding another remarkable piece to the mix.
There are also several other items of interest, such as series of Chicago Cubs signed team sets from the 1950s, thirteen different Derek Jeter autographed cards (most signed before his MLB debut in the mid-1990s), and an autograph from the legendary Lou Gehrig.
Basketball card collectors will be thrilled to find two Bird/Magic rookies and two Michael Jordan rookies in the auction, while football enthusiasts can enjoy vintage sets, Tom Brady rookie cards, and a ticket from the famous 1958 “greatest game” between the Colts and the Giants.
Rounding out this extraordinary auction is an array of baseball memorabilia, featuring 19th century Chicago Cubs home scorecards, a 1906 Red Sox scorecard, a 1920 Who’s Who magazine with Babe Ruth on the cover, numerous World Series items, a 1912 tabletop baseball game, an original telephone from Ebbets Field, tickets, pennants, and a high-grade set of Hartland statues.
Bidding for this extensive and impressive collection of baseball and sports memorabilia is scheduled to run through January 31st. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history with Clean Sweep Auctions’ 2024 premiere event.
