Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron Personal Items at Julien's Auctions November 14th Set for New Records
BASEBALLS, JERSEYS, AND TOP MEMORABILIA FROM HALL OF FAME PLAYERS CONTINUE TO ROCKET in value
EXHIBITION WITH highlights OF THE collection will SET SAIL on the cunard line’s Queen Mary 2
Los Angeles, CA– History and investment opportunities intersect for baseball fans attending Julien’s Auctions “A Southern Gentleman’s Collection” event in Beverly Hills on November 14th. With the Sports category leading the sale, high value baseballs and game worn jerseys each carry with them stories about some of the greatest moments and players of the sport.
Brett Hughes, Managing Director Global Sports at Julien’s Auctions, says: “Once in a while a collection comes our way that you can feel the history, opportunity, and excitement all at once. This collection - compiled over the course of 30 years by Goodman Basil Espy III, M.D., is just that – exciting. It includes the kinds of items that makes the heart of any baseball fan and collector beat faster. Much faster. An indication of the strength of this market can be seen in the price rises we are seeing. A Babe Ruth uniform similar to one sold in 2008 for $300,000, we expect to sell for $400,000 or higher today. The market goes from strength to strength.”
David Seideman, an authority on sports collectables for 30 years (who writes for such publications as Forbes, Time and Sport Illustrated) claimed the following earlier this year: “[The] supply of signed Babe Ruth baseballs cannot meet the demand… No matter how many thousands upon thousands of times he scribbled his name, an autographed Babe Ruth baseball is still the centerpiece of any worthwhile baseball memorabilia collection. The price of Ruth balls has at least doubled over the past decade. Expect to pay at least $20,000 for a sharp one, a clean ball. Official American League baseballs are the most desirable, commanding a premium.”
The market for celebrity sports memorabilia continues its relentless upward trend as an alternative investment sector. Many wealthy collectors who have art, wine, classic cars, and jewelry in their portfolios now also include items linked to some of the greatest professional athletes in the world. The sports market, in some instances, is outpacing some of the more conventional investment categories.
Because of the international interest in this collection, it is being taken to England on board Cunard’s luxurious Queen Mary 2, in a voyage departing New York on September 15th and arriving in Southampton, England on September 22nd, crossing the Atlantic Ocean with an exhibition of sports highlights from the Julien’s Auctions sale event later in the year.
Auction/Exhibition Highlights
A Joe Dimaggio and Marilyn Monroe signed baseball. A Reach Official American League Baseball (William Harridge) era 1947-1953, signed by Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe in blue ink. This signed baseball commemorates the brief union of one of sports brightest stars with Hollywood’s most glamorous actress. It is well known that after Marilyn’s passing Joe refused to sign any Monroe related material whether it be photographic images or pages already bearing her autograph. Any signed objects by both legendary figures only derives from the short period the couple spent together, factually only a nine-month marriage was full of unhappiness, tears, and general strife.
Estimate: $150,000 - $250,000
A Hank Aaron Atlanta Braves jersey worn during the 1974 season. Hank Aaron began his career playing for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro League in 1952, but his soon brought into the Braves organization midway through 1952. The greatest homerun hitter in 20th century, and currently ranking second all time, only behind Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron displayed never seen before power throughout his 23-year professional career. Currently, Aaron is serving as the senior Vice President of the Atlanta Braves.
Estimate: $70,000-$100,000
A Spalding Babe Ruth Home Run Special Baseball signed by three members of the 1934 New York Yankees including, Babe Ruth, Earle Combs, and Lefty Gomez. Traced signatures include, J. Murphy, J. Allen, V. Tamulis, J. Saltzgaver, B. Dickey, N. Reis, S. Byrd, F. Newkirk, C. Ruffing, T. Lazzeri.
Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
A 1947 “Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Award” Presented to John Mize for Outstanding Batting Achievement. The retroactive award for his slugging percentage was presented to Mize during the Top's in Sports banquet on January 14, 1966. The lengthily engraved crown supplies all relevant details, including "Runs Scored - 137/ Home Runs - 51/ Average .302/ R.B.I's 138." Mize's 1947 totals in runs, home runs and RBI were all career highs. The six points of the crown each hold their original colored glass gemstone inset onto baseball shaped diamond fields.
Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
A Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig dual-signed Spalding Official League Special Cork Center baseball made especially for Nat. C. Strong. Signed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in black ink. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are not only two of the greatest baseball players of all-time, but from 1923 to 1934, they established one of the greatest tandems in professional sports. As part of “Murderers Row” during the famed 1927 season, Ruth hit an unprecedented 60 home runs, while scoring a league leading 158 runs and slugging a league leading percentage of .772.
Estimate: $30,000-$50,000
A Honus Wagner Pittsburg Pirates coaching jersey. Honus Wagner remains, to this day, one of the most intriguing athletes in professional sports, not only due to his abilities displayed on the field, but the fascination behind his rare baseball card. Nicknamed “The Flying Dutchman” due to his great speed and German heritage, Wagner emulated his speed by achieving success as the National League’s stolen base leader in 1901, 1902, 1904, 1907, and 1908.
Estimate: $50,000-$75,000
A Mickey Mantle New York Yankees game-worn jersey during the 1960 season. The grey road jersey features a restored "New York" arching across the chest in bold navy lettering, and that historic number "7" to the back. Stitched into the front tail of the jersey is a "Wilson/ 42" label with washing instructions. A swatch inside the collar offers an embroidered "Mantle/ '60" in red stitching. Mantle nicknamed "The Commerce Comet" was one of the most illustrious, powerful, and decorated players of all-time.
Estimate: $60, 000-$80,000
A Casey Stengel New York Mets coaching jersey worn during the 1962 season. Stengel established himself as a staple of Major League Baseball throughout the latter years of his career as a manager. Stengel’s playing career spanned from 1912 to 1925, as he donned the jersey of five historic franchises, including the Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants (San Francisco Giants), and Boston Braves (Atlanta Braves). Stengel was voted “Greatest Living Manger” in 1969, which also marked the centennial of Major League Baseball and had a total of 12th all-time in managerial wins.
Estimate: $50,000-$80,000
A Ty Cobb signed "Ted Kluszewski" model baseball. Signed and dated "12/18/59" by Ty Cobb in blue ink. Cobb is widely credited with setting 90 MLB records during his career. His combined total of 4,065 runs scored and runs batted in is still the highest ever produced by any major league player.
Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
A Nolan Ryan 1993 signed and worn Texas Rangers uniform. Quite arguably the most durable player in Major League Baseball, Nolan Ryan’s career stretched a record 27 years, from 1966 to 1993. Nolan Ryan became president of the Texas Rangers in 2008, and eventually, was named CEO of the franchise in March of 2011. In October of 2013, Ryan stepped down as CEO of the Rangers. Currently, Ryan is an executive advisor of the Houston Astros.
Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
A Reach Official American League Baseball (Harridge) era 1934-1939 signed by Babe Ruth in black ink. In Ruth’s 15-year career as a New York Yankee, he led them to seven World Series appearances, while capturing four titles. Babe Ruth ranks third in Major League Baseball history with 714 home runs.
Estimate: $20,000-$40,000
A 1934 Goudey Lou Gehrig card #61 signed in black ink. This is the second of the two Gehrig entries in the 1934 Goudey issue, both of which are considered the tops in the hobby.. The card is rare and with the signature in this condition is almost one of a kind.
Estimate: $10,000-$30,000
An Official American League Baseball (Harridge) signed six times by Lou Gehrig. The baseball is additionally signed by Bill Dickey, Earle Combs and an unidentified player.
Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
JULIEN’S AUCTIONS PUBLIC EXHIBITION AND AUCTION LOCATION
Julien’s Auctions
The Standard Oil Building Beverly Hills
257 N. Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
PUBLIC EXHIBITION
Monday, November 11th - Friday, November 15th
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Free to the public
JULIEN’S AUCTIONS LIVE AND ONLINE AUCTION
A SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN’S COLLECTION:
THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF GOODMAN BASIL EPSY III, M.D.
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Session I: 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time
Session II: 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time
For more information please email - info@juliensauctions.com or call 310-836-1818.
Registering to Bid
Registration is required to bid in this online auction and can be done in person at the exhibition, or online before the sale at the JuliensAuctions.com Registration page to bid by phone, proxy or in person, or online at JuliensLive.com to bid live online, or by calling (310) 836-1818.
Placing Bids
There are four ways to bid in this sale:
- Bid through Julien's Auctions Online Live in Real Time at JuliensLive.com.
- Bid over the telephone through an auction house representative.
- Submit a bid in person at the Julien’s Los Angeles Gallery
- Enter Absentee bids. Absentee bid forms are included in the back of each catalogue and are also available by calling Julien's Auctions or online at www.juliensauctions.com.
About Us
ABOUT JULIEN’S AUCTIONS
Julien’s Auctions is the world-record breaking auction house. Collaborating with the famous and the exclusive, Julien’s Auctions produces high profile auctions in the film, music, sports and art markets. Julien’s Auctions has received international recognition for its unique and innovative auction events, which attract thousands of collectors, investors, fans and enthusiasts from around the world. Julien’s Auctions specializes in sales of iconic artifacts and notable collections including Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Lady Gaga, Banksy, Cher, Michael Jackson, U2, Barbra Streisand, Les Paul, Neil Young, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Hugh Hefner and many more. In 2016, Julien’s Auctions received its second placement in the Guinness Book of World Records for the sale of the world’s most expensive dress ever sold at auction, The Marilyn Monroe “Happy Birthday Mr. President” dress which sold for $4.8 million. Julien’s Auctions achieved placement in the Guinness Book of World Records in 2009 for the sale of Michael Jackson’s white glove, which sold for $480,000 making it the most expensive glove ever sold at auction. Based in Los Angeles, Julien’s Auctions has a global presence bringing their auctions and exhibitions to targeted destinations worldwide including London, New York, Las Vegas, Japan and China. Live auctions are presented for bidders on-site and online via live streaming video and mobile technology. For more information on Julien’s Auctions, go to www.juliensauctions.com. Connect with Julien’s Auctions at www.facebook.com/Juliens
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