Clements single-signed ball sets record in MGA Auc

Roberto Clemente signed items have been particularly hot in the past couple years, and that trend continued in the Mike Gutierrez Auctions online event that concluded Jan. 26 at www.mgauction.net.

A Clemente signed baseball that Gutierrez called "the best Clemente single I have handled and by far the best one I have seen offered in years" set what Gutierrez believes is a record for a Clemente signed ball. "We handled several large collections and estates in this auction and the results were very positive," Gutierrez said. "Interest in autograph collecting is at an all-time high. For example, a record was set with a Roberto Clemente single signed ball going for $15,478."

More than 1,300 lots sold for a total of $701,000 in the auction. MGA deals primarily in vintage baseball items like the Clemente ball, so it wasn't surprising that vintage baseball lots dominated the auction's high-priced list. Second in price was $14,070 (all prices including buyer's premium) for a ball signed by Babe Ruth on the sweet spot and Lou Gehrig on the side panel. That ball was consigned by a man who had the ball at his home since getting it signed himself in 1928 or 1929.

Third was another signed baseball, this one from President Dwight Eisenhower ($8,508). Other items that fetched $5,000 or more: Jackie Robinson baseball signed "Best Wishes" ($7,942); Babe Ruth signed studio portrait photo ($7,220); Babe Ruth signed ball with inscription to Babe Herman's son Jack ($6,958); Honus Wagner signed baseball ($6,780); Yankees signed photo with Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio ($6,164); Walter Johnson full-page written and signed letter ($5,811); Chick Hafey's 1932 Reds game-used cap with homemade flip-down glasses ($5,811); and John J. Evers full-page written and signed note on Johnny Evers Company letterhead ($5,122).

For complete results, visit www.mgauction.net and click on "Past Auctions" in the upper right of the site. The next MGA event will be a smaller auction of about 300 items in March.