Heritage Auctions is gearing up to showcase a dazzling array of rare and highly sought-after baseball cards at their upcoming July 12-13 Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction. The event promises a treasure trove of valuable gems for collectors, including a pristine 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson card, a gem-mint Michael Jordan Fleer rookie card, and a coveted chrome rookie card autographed by the young phenom Bryce Harper. With sealed packs, boxes, and cases filled with potential hidden treasures, this auction is a must-see for sports card enthusiasts.
Among the star attractions is a collection of 1959 baseball cards that were once stapled to containers of Canadian cookies. These extraordinarily rare cards, with only 69 known examples in the PSA population report, feature 37 cards in this auction. The lineup includes legendary players such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Eddie Mathews, Whitey Ford, Ernie Banks, and Yogi Berra.
While Dad’s Cookies may not ring a bell for many, their contribution to sports memorabilia history is undeniable. Joe Orlando, Heritage’s Executive Vice President in Sports, emphasizes the allure of these unique cards, stating, “These cards excite even the most seasoned collectors because they offer something that most enthusiasts have not seen in years, if ever. These Dad’s Cookies cards epitomize the thrill of the hunt for collectors, as they represent a true hidden treasure.” Produced by the Exhibits Supply Company, the cards were part of a promotional campaign by Dad’s Cookies in 1959, with each card featuring a note from the company’s Scottish mascot, “Sandy,” encouraging kids to collect all 64 “autographed” pictures of a baseball star.
The auction also features two highly coveted Ty Cobb T206 cards from the early 1900s. One is the El Principe de Gales Ty Cobb, graded PSA NM 7, with only one known example featuring the El Principe de Gales advertisement on the back. The other is the American Beauty Portrait-Red Cobb, graded PSA EX-MT 6, which stands as the finest known example of its kind. These cards hold immense significance for collectors, particularly those who delve deep into T206 card collecting.
In addition to the vintage treasures, the auction includes a variety of sealed boxes and cases that hold the promise of unearthing hidden gems. From the 1970 Topps Baseball Wax Box to newer releases like the 2015 Upper Deck Hockey Series 1 Hobby Unopened Case and the 2020 Panini Flawless Football Factory Sealed Case, collectors have the chance to discover rare cards, rookie gems, and autographed memorabilia. Joe Orlando notes the excitement of these unopened items, stating, “It’s like stepping back in time, a glimpse into your childhood frozen in a box, with the added thrill of the unknown that lies within.”
Heritage Auctions’ Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction is not just an event; it’s an experience that promises to captivate sports memorabilia enthusiasts. With a lineup of rare baseball cards, sealed packs teeming with potential treasures, and the thrill of uncovering valuable gems, this auction is a golden opportunity for collectors to add some of the most coveted cards to their prized collections.
