Current Clean Sweep auction has items dating back to the 1800s

Items related to some of baseball’s all-time great players are featured in the current auction being hosted by Clean Sweep Auctions. These items include cards, contracts, and signed baseballs, just to name a few.

A 1953 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card graded PSA 6.5 leads the auction. The graded card is new to the hobby and features immaculate surfaces, outstanding centering and no chips in the red border.

The starting bid for the card was $3,000, but bidding took it up to $7,078 at press time with 20 days remaining for bidding.

Going back farther in time is an 1898 National Copper Plate Honus Wagner rookie card in Excellent-Mint condition. This rare card is an oversize issue, measuring 8-3/4 inches-by-11 inches, and features a portrait of Wagner when he was 25 years old. At the time, he was with his first team, the Louisville Colonels. The back of the card provides a detailed description of Wagner’s career up to that point.

The card had reached $5,500 with 20 days of bidding left.

Another item available from the 1800s is a Ned Hanlon signed player contract from 1897. Hanlon was a player from 1880-1892, and was a Hall of Fame manager from 1889-1907. As a manager, Hanlon is credited with inventing the hit and run play and the infamous Baltimore Chop.

Authentic Hanlon signatures are extremely rare, with some cuts selling for more than $10,000 in the past.

The contract signed by Hanlon features a fountain pen signature. This original contract sold in 2009 in the hobby for $41,825.

An 1887 N172 Old Judge card featuring Dummy Hoy throwing, graded PSA 7, is drawing attention from collectors. The opening bid was $700, but the price had risen to $1,721 with 20 days of bidding left. This scarce card hardly ever comes to market.
Another card garnering attention in the auction is a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth graded SGC 4. It was up to $3,025 with 20 days remaining in the auction.

Ruth is also represented in the auction with a signed baseball that is fresh to the hobby. This mid-grade example is signed on a red and blue stitched OAL Harridge ball that was probably signed in the early 1930s. The signature is large, occupying almost the entire sweet spot. The ball has honest toning from age.

For a complete listing of items available in the auction, visit www.csauctions.com. Bidding ends Feb. 1.