Auction News – September

Heritage Sports Collectibles Names Survey Contest Winner!

Dallas, TX -- Heritage Sports Collectibles (HSC) has awarded a $5,000 cash prize in their most recent Survey Contest to P.C. of Sterling Heights, MI.

"The winner, who wishes to remain anonymous, was naturally thrilled," said Chris Ivy, Director of HSC.

"These surveys, which ask collectors about their collecting and buying habits, are a great way for Heritage to determine how best to serve the needs of their clients," said Judy Brown, eCommerce Marketing Specialist for Heritage, "and it's a great opportunity for collectors to win great prizes!"

One second prize winner will be awarded a Mickey Mantle single signed baseball graded PSA 8, while ten third prize winners will be able to auction up to $20,000 of their collection for free (no Seller's Commission). All respondents received a coupon to auction one item valued above $1,000 free of seller's commission - a $100+ value.

To view all current HSC auctions, or to participate in future surveys, please visit www.HeritageSportsCollectibles.com.

HSC specializes in rare and collectible sports cards, as well as uniforms, equipment, and related vintage sports memorabilia. Consignments for future Signature Sports Auctions are currently being accepted. Prospective consignors or sellers of quality vintage sports cards and sports memorabilia are encouraged to contact:

Chris Ivy at 800-872-6467 Ext. 319 or email: CIvy@HeritageSportsCollectibles.com
Stephen Carlisle at 800-872-6467 Ext. 292 or email: StephenC@HeritageSportsCollectibles.com
Jonathan Scheier at 800-872-6467 Ext. 314 or email JonathanS@HeritageSportsCollectibles.com
Sam Foose at 800-872-6467 Ext. 227 or email: SamF@HeritageSportsCollectibles.com

To order the next Heritage Sports Collectibles Signature catalog, contact Nicole Jewell at 800-872-6467, ext. 272, or write c/o Heritage Sports Collectibles, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219.

Vintage Authentics Previews Nov. 17 auction

Vintage Authentics upcoming Nov. 17 auction is scheduled to open for bidding Oct. 29. Vintange co-CEO Steve Jensen recently highlighted 15 top items from the auction, including:

For more information on Vintage Authentics, visit www.vintageauthentics.com.

Heritage Sports Collectibles to Offer Historic Len Bias Collection

(

Sept. 26

) Heritage Sports Collectibles will offer a collection of memorabilia related to Len Bias, the University of Maryland basketball player who died of a drug overdose just two days after being chosen by the Boston Celtics in the 1986 NBA Draft. The items were acquired directly from the Bias family and are accompanied by letters of authenticity signed by Bias’ parents.

"We are honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to present this incredible material to the collecting community," said Chris Ivy, director of HSC. "Bias is one of American sports' saddest tales of unrealized potential, a terrific athlete and person who could have been one of the all-time greats."

Among the items being offered are the Celtics jersey and cap that were presented to him at the draft, the distinct suit and tie worn by Bias two days before his death, a pair of sneakers given to Bias by then-Celtics star Larry Bird, as well as some items worn by Bias during his career at the University of Maryland. The auction ends on Oct. 29 and opens for bidding Oct. 10 with 820 lots. For information, visit www.heritagesportscollectibles.com.

Lelands September Sports Auction underway

(Sept. 22)

Lelands September Sports Collectors Auction opened for bidding today and will close on Oct. 5. The auction consists of 272 lots, including: a 19th Century German Bisque Porcelain Baseball Figurine (12.5"), 2004 Autographed ABA Reunion Basketball #141/300, 500 HR Club Autographed Poster With Mantle And Williams, Mickey Mantle Signed Collection (4), Honus Wagner 1923 Baseball Trophy (11" tall), 1971 Rich Morales Game Worn White Sox Flannel Jersey, 2005 Kevin Millar Game Worn Red Sox Home Alternate Jersey, Jim Thorpe from Paul Thompson Agency, 1972 Topps Football 2nd series Wax Box and a 1999 New York Yankees Team Signed World Series Baseball.

In addition, Lelands announced that the consignment deadline for its December catalog auction is Oct. 14. Contact Lelands at Lelands Collectibles, Inc., 3947 Merrick Road, Seaford, NY 11783, Phone: 516.409.9700, Fax: 516.409.9797, or visit their web site at www.lelands.com.

Athletes donate rare memorabilia to Katrina relief efforts

(Sept. 20)

Various professional athletes have turned to eBay in recent weeks in an effort to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina through the sale of some unique sports memorabilia. Terrell Owens has relisted his 2004 NFC Championship ring on eBay. The auction had been removed last week over concerns of fraudulent bidding. The auction is again live and runs through next Thursday. The minimum bid for the ring is $25,000, but all bidders must pre-register to participate. The winning bidder will receive the ring from Owens at a later date.

NASCAR driver Robby Gordon donated his race-worn helmet from this past weekend’s event in New Hampshire. The helmet gained quite a bit of notoriety when Gordon threw it at Michael Waltrip’s car after the two were involved in a crash during the race. However, that auction was pulled from eBay this week, also because of concerns of illegitimate bidding after bids reached $9 million.

Tennis star Serena Williams donated the earrings she wore during the recent U.S. Open. The “Crown of Hearts” chandelier style earrings are made up of over 355 diamonds, approximately 4.18 carats in total, and set in platinum. The retail value is $40,000 for the pair. As of Wednesday afternoon, the high bid stood at $18,100. The auction ends Sunday.

MastroNet Previews upcoming Classic Colllector auction

(Sept. 19) The Oct. 10-20 MastroNet Classic Collector auction will feature more than 1,500 lots of sports and Americana items. The auction will feature another installment of the John Branca Collection, one of the top graded-card collections in the hobby that has been a major component of several MastroNet sales over the past two years. The auction also includes single-signed balls from the likes of Babe Ruth, Gabby Hartnett, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb, a Ryne Sandberg 1994 Chicago Cubs game-worn road jersey, a Greg Maddux 2001 Atlanta Braves game-worn jersey and team-signed footballs from the 1946 and 1956 Chicago Bears and the 1951 Green Bay Packers. Visit www.mastronet.com for more details.

Heritage donates to victims of Hurricane Katrina

(Sept. 19) Heritage Galleries & Auctioneers of Dallas and its 250 employees have made a donation in the amount of $33,500 – $28,500 to the American Red Cross, and $5,000 to a local Dallas organization – to aid in relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The employees raised $16,750 and the company matched that donation, according to Heritage co-chairman Jim Halperin. For more information on Heritage Auctions visit www.heritagesportscollectibles.com.

Steiner, Red Cross team up for Katrina charity auction

(Sept. 19) Steiner Sports Marketing has partnered with the American Red Cross for an online auction on steinersports.com to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina through the sale of specially inscribed, authentic memorabilia from athletes such as Derek Jeter, Curt Schilling and Eli Manning to celebrities such as rap star 50 Cent. All of the items, which were signed exclusively for this event, were donated from athletes and celebrities and will carry the “Collectibles For A Cause” inscription. All of the proceeds raised from the auction will be donated to The American Red Cross. The auction officially starts today and each item will run for 30 days after being posted on the site. For more information, call (800) 759-SCORE or go to www.steinersports.com.

Sale of Busch Stadium items begins

(Sept. 15)

One of the greatest stadiums to ever face the wrecking ball will soon be providing baseball fans with collectibles, as the St. Louis Cardinals prepare to dismantle Busch Stadium after this season and turn its seats, scoreboards, bricks, dirt and you-name-it into collectors items.

The process has already begun, with season-ticket holders snapping up their seats, which were sold out before the All-Star break. Now available for purchase are single seat backs, numbered and autographed by the Cardinals’ living Hall of Famers: Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith. 

The seat backs are the hard, red, plastic back that makes up a seat currently used in Busch Stadium. Full seats have been, and will be, sold in pairs, so these single seat backs are available wherever there was an odd number of seats in a row. The limited edition will be equal to the total number of Cardinals games played in Busch Stadium, a minimum of 3,222 and a maximum of 3,232 depending upon the number of postseason games played this year.

The limited-edition, signed seat back will arrive within 6-8 weeks of the end of the 2005 season. A display easel will accompany the signed seat back. Buyers will also receive a certificate of authenticity from the Cardinals that includes authentication by Deloitte & Touche through the Major League Baseball authentication program. Because of the demand for this unique piece, fans will be limited to one seat back per order. The price is $599, plus tax, shipping and handling. The easiest way to order is online at www.stlcardinals.com and look for the “Autographed Seat Backs” box in the middle left of the home page. Phone orders are also accepted at (314) 421-2400.

Michael Barnes of Barnes Sports Group, who is a consultant for the Cardinals for the sale of Busch Stadium’s artifacts, said 1,000 of the seat backs are already sold. “We’re assuming they’re going to sell out very quickly,” he said.

Barnes said coming next are a series of products to be sold as they existed in the stadium, or presented in a collectible fashion and made from a piece of the stadium. Some of those items will be available in the next few weeks and will be sold at the stadium through various retail partners and on the Web site.

The Cardinals are planning a major live event in late November or December to culminate the project. Included in that event will be a live auction, autograph signings and retail products sold by the Cardinals.

Last Day to Bid on Universal Rarities Auction
(Sept. 15) This is a reminder to let you know that Universal Rarities' Autographs, Collectibles & Memorabilia Auction closes TODAY, Thursday, September 15th. In order to bid after the 15-minute rule takes effect, you must place your initial bids no later than 7pm PST (10pm EST). If you have any problems with placing your bids or have any questions, please feel free to call us at 1-800-270-7273 (951-278-8420). For more information, visit www.universalrarities.com.

>Fiscal ’05 generates records for Collectors Universe
(Sept. 13) Collectors Universe reported record annual revenues and earnings for its 2005 fiscal year (ended June 30). Net revenues increased to $33.6 million, a 27 percent increase over the previous year. The increase was due in large part to a 23 percent increase in the total collectible units graded by the company. Net income for the fiscal year was $4.8 million, up from $1.7 million in fiscal 2004.

“Fiscal 2005 was a year of focus for the company,” said CEO Michael Haynes. “Our stated goals for the year were to grow the company’s existing service business and to evaluate and prudently expand into other collectibles markets. We exceeded our growth goals.”

For the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, Collectors Universe reported net revenues of $8.5 million and net income of $1.2 million, both increases over the same period a year ago.

Financially, the company is poised for additional expansion. Collectors Universe finished fiscal 2005 with cash and cash equivalents of $65.4 million, up from $21.5 million at the end of fiscal 2004. The company generated more than $35 million from a public offering of stock earlier this year.

Sotheby's/SCP accepting consignments for Dec. 10 Auction
(Sept. 12) Sotheby's & SCP are currently accepting consignments for our December 2005 auction of Important Sports Memorabilia and Cards, which promises to be our most exciting event to date. The concept will be the same. We are seeking the rarest, most interesting and finest quality material available spanning all sports. We feel that a limited lot count is the only way to achieve maximum results, therefore SPACE IS LIMITED. Call us today.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Sotheby’s/SCP’s highly successful June 10th auction. The 350 lots sold in our landmark event generated $5,527,200, resulting in an average price per lot of $15,792! Numerous price records were shattered - highlighted by the $996,000 paid for the 1919 CONTRACT SELLING BABE RUTH FROM THE RED SOX TO THE YANKEES – a record for a sports document at auction.

For a complete auction review and a full list of prices realized please visit our website at www.sportscardsplus.com. Our auctions are supported by unrivaled national media exposure. Our June auction generated hundreds of appearances in print, on television and on the web - including USA Today, the New York Times, AP, Reuters, ESPN, CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX and a significant number of regional outlets.

Noted authenticator Gutierrez joins PSA/DNA
(Sept. 9) One of hobby’s best-known autograph experts, Mike Gutierrez, now is an authenti- cation consultant for the PSA/DNA division of Professional Sports Authenticator. Gutierrez is president of Mike Gutierrez Auctions of Phoenix and serves as an appraiser on the popular PBS television series, “Antiques Roadshow.” He has authenticated autographs from the legendary Barry Halper Collection as well as memorabilia from the Bruce Lee and Pete Rozelle estates.

“I’m glad to be joining the biggest autograph authentication company in the world,” said Gutierrez. “PSA/DNA established high confidence in the otherwise troubled marketplace of autograph collecting, and the public has enthusiastically responded.”

Gutierrez will remain based inArizona and will work with the company in roles including auction house authentication, on-site shows, on-site house calls and more. PSA President, Joe Orlando, described Gutierrez as “one of the top autograph authenticators” in the sports memorabilia business. “No other authentication company comes even close to the overall level of expertise offered by the PSA/DNA team,” Orlando said.

eBay to allow sales of disputed memorabilia cards
(Sept. 8) Officials at eBay will allow sales of memorabilia-based trading cards from Donruss and Upper Deck until litigation between the two card companies and a California firm that holds a patent for memorabilia cards is resolved.

Last week, eBay removed some auction listings for memorabilia insert cards produced by Donruss and Upper Deck after Media Technologies filed a complaint via eBay’s VERO (Verified Rights Ownership) program. Media Technologies claimed the card companies were infringing upon its two patents for memorabilia cards. The card companies have been involved in long-standing legal battles challenging the validity of the patents. The case is scheduled to go to trial in January.

Drew Marich, category manager for eBay’s sports and collectibles division, said the pending litigation was a key factor in deciding not to halt additional auctions. “We’re not going to take down any of the Upper Deck or Donruss items until the litigation is decided,” Marich said. “We’ll monitor the progress of the litigation over the next few months. It was a unique situation in the sense that this rights owner had these settled claims out there (with some card companies) and is taking action on these other ones. We had to get educated on the situation and once we saw how everything was still working its way through the courts, we came to this decision.”

Sellers who had auctions cancelled by eBay can now relist the items. Some of those sellers said they had been contacted by Media Technologies and were told they could only continue selling the cards if they paid a royalty fee of 4 percent of the gross sales.

Ironclad Authentics to auction Orioles jerseys
(Sept. 8) Ironclad Authentics will be auctioning all jerseys worn by the Orioles players and coaches during the Orioles/Blue Jays series that concluded Wednesday. The jerseys feature a “2,131” 10-year anniversary patch and will be autographed by Cal Ripken Jr. The auction is being conducted through Sept. 11 at www.theorioles.com. All proceeds will benefit the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation and the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation. This auction is one of many charitable events being conducted by Ironclad Authentics, a division of Ripken Baseball, Inc., surrounding the 10th anniversary of Ripken’s consecutive-games-played record.

Stevens, Taylor form STAT Authentic service
(Sept. 8) Longtime sports memorabilia collectors Jeff Stevens and Ted Taylor have announced the formation of STAT Authentic (The Stevens-Taylor Authentication Team) designed to offer a full spectrum of hobby services based on their 75-plus years of hobby experience.

STAT Authentic will primarily be in the business of authenticating and verifying autographs but will also offer verification of equipment, appraisals and liquidation of sports collections, procurement of memorabilia, celebrity appearances and event coordination, expert witness testimony as well as marketing and public relations services. Stevens and Taylor are cousins.

“We see our company as a full-service organization, the only one like it in the hobby, and we bring experiences to the table that no other such company can offer,” said Stevens, who is managing partner. “Authenticating autographs is really about experience. Unless you actually witnessed the signing the best you can provide is your honest opinion, reinforced of course, by exemplars of other signatures and your experience. We bring such experience to the table.”

Taylor has been working in a PR role for Coach’s Corner, which like Taylor and Stevens is in Pennsylvania. So it’s no surprise that Coach’s Corner and the company have formed an alliance. “Ted has worked with Coach’s Corner as a publicist and, at times, authenticator over the years, so there is a real comfort level between our two organizations,” Stevens said. Taylor added that Coach’s Corner will continue to use autograph authenticator Chris Morales.

Stevens was a longtime marketing executive with the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown and also served as manager of Mickey’s Place, a top retail store in Cooperstown. He was also marketing director of The Cooperstown Bat Co. and recently set up the retail operations of the new Sports Legends museum at Camden Yards in Baltimore, where he continues to serve as a consultant.

Taylor is co-founder of the Philadelphia Baseball Card & Sports Memorabilia Shows; founding president of the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society; longtime hobby columnist now on the Internet and with both The Philadelphia Daily News and Sports Collectors Digest; VP of hobby sales and marketing for Fleer during the 1990s; VP of sales at Score Board; author of two hobby books and hundreds of published articles and other hobby-related activity.
Taylor pointed to a recent high-end auction that included a baseball featuring a certificate of authenticity from one of the hobby’s “forensic” examiners that he, Taylor, had ruled to be a forgery 10 years ago. “You simply have to know things from experience,” he said. “In the case of this ball, I knew of little things to look for because I am a self-taught expert, fan and a collector.”

Contact information: (877) 576-7212, (215) 576-7212, www.statauthentic.com.