Auctions
Clean Sweep Brings ‘Anonymous’ to the Forefront
The auction lull that takes place every year after mid-December into January is about to get blasted out of the water, thanks to an impressive lineup from Clean Sweep Auctions.
Clean Sweep has a great selection of early football cards and near sets, popular baseball singles, cut signatures and championship rings, along with many other artifacts that will leave collectors wishing they hadn’t spent so much money on Christmas gifts. Live now, bidding ends Jan. 30.
The auction kicks off with what many regard as one of the rarest football cards in the market – the 1894 N302 Mayo Anonymous card of John Dunlop from Harvard. This one has been graded PSA 1.5 (MC), and provides the chance to own a piece of history.
This card is joined by another 24 cards from the 1894 set (there are 35 cards in all), providing a great chance to own some of the earliest football cards. The examples in the near set were posted to a wall in the barn, so they are a bit rough, but all slabbed by PSA.
Nine Mayo football cards from 1895 will also be offered as singles in the Clean Sweep sale.
Other football highlights in the auction include a 1948 Bowman complete set, 1949 Leaf uncut sheet (with many Hall of Famers included), 1950 Bowman Elroy Hirsch PSA 8, 1950 Bowman George Ratterman PSA 9 (highest graded example), 1950 Bread For Health Labels near set (24/32), 1950 Topps Felt Backs collection of 17 and 1952 Bowman Large Russ Craft PSA 8.5 (highest graded example).
Baseball highlights
The Mayo bonanza continues in baseball, with 23 examples from the 1895 N300 Mayo’s Cut Plug series. Featured items from this offering include Cap Anson PSA 1.5, Dan Brouthers (Baltimore on Shirt) PSA 1.5, Buck Ewing (Cincinnati on Shirt) PSA 2.5 and Amos Russie (incorrect spelling) PSA 2. These will be joined by several other prewar examples from such sets as 1887 N284 Buchner Gold Coin, 1899 M101-1, 1909-11 T206, 1911 T3 and 1914 Cracker Jack.
More baseball card highlights include a 1929 Leader Novelty complete set, lot of 245 T206 cards with Hall of Famers, 1949 Bowman Duke Snider PSA 7.5, 1951 Bowman Willie Mays PSA 3, 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 6, 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 1.5, 1953 Topps Hal Newhouser PSA 8.5, 1954 Topps Hank Aaron PSA 5, 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente PSA 7, 1952 Berk Ross complete set and a lot of 215 1953 Topps cards, all graded with a SMR value of more than $9,000.
There are also complete sets from several issues released in the 1950s and ’60s in the sale.
Signed memorabilia
Autographs will be a big part of this auction, starting with a massive lot of signed postcards. Generally ranging from the 1930s-70s in the players featured, the collection numbers 2,834 mostly back-and-white postcards.
This will be joined by a variety of signatures positioned in lots such as signed 3-by-5-inch cards, cut signatures, photos and publications.
Other gems in the Clean Sweep auction include a 1958 Milwaukee Braves National League Championship ring, 1960 Hartland Statues complete set, 1950s Eddie Mathews game-used bat and team-signed baseballs from the 1936 N.Y. Yankees, 1938 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1947 N.Y. Yankees, 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers and 1972 N.Y. Yankees.
For more information on this sale, call (516) 338-8557 or visit www.csauctions.com.
