Collect Auctions Preview: Clearly a ‘Case’ for Collectors

When it comes to sports memorabilia auctions, it’s always fun to scan through the catalog because you never know what you might find. The perfect example is the latest lineup from Collect Auctions.

The sale, which runs from Nov. 17 through Dec. 5, has many marquee pieces that would look good in any collection. While many of the featured items are signed memorabilia, there are some unopened product and Milwaukee Braves regional sets that will have collectors ready to bid.

One of the biggies is a 1975 Topps Baseball cello unopened case. You won’t find many of these available. The case houses 15 boxes with 24 packs per box for a total of 360 packs. With each pack containing 18 cards, the case holds a total of 6,480 cards. The set is best known for rookie cards of George Brett and Robin Yount.

“This incredibly rare unopened case is the only 1975 Topps Baseball case we have ever offered or seen,” said Steve Bloedow, director of Collect Auctions. “We can’t imagine that many similar surviving complete unopened cases of 1975 Topps Baseball are available, perfectly preserved from 38 years ago, before the explosion of interest in unopened baseball cards boxes and cases.”

Collect Auctions will also offer an unopened case of 1978 Topps Football.

Sticking with cards, the lineup also includes a 1953 Topps Baseball complete set (274), 1959-63 Fleer Baseball run, 1953-55 Johnston Cookies Milwaukee Braves complete set run, 1960 Lake to Lake Dairy Milwaukee Braves complete set and unopened vending product that includes 1973 Topps Baseball 4th Series wax box, 1971-72 Topps Basketball vending box and 1968-69 Topps Hockey vending box, among others.
The signed memorabilia is top-notch in this sale, led by a Lou Gehrig single-signed Spalding baseball (PSA/DNA).

This will be joined by a Ty Cobb single-signed Read baseball (JSA) and a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Champs team-signed ONL baseball with 15 signatures, including Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson (PSA/DNA).

A 1938 New York Yankees World Champions team-signed OAL baseball includes 26 signatures with Gehrig on the sweet spot. A March 29, 1917, typed letter is signed by Barney Dreyfuss, who owned the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 until his death in 1932.
A high-grade 1971 HOF Induction multi-signed baseball tallies 25 signatures, including Satchel Paige, Hank Greenberg and Joe DiMaggio. This would go nicely with a multi-signed Hall of Fame bat in the sale that has 62 signatures, with Mickey Mantle “No. 7” and Ted Williams (PSA/DNA).

And speaking of bats, Collect Auctions will offer a 1969-72 Ernie Banks game-used bat, graded PSA/DNA GU 9 and a complete run of Cooperstown Hall of Fame brown induction bats from 1936-2013 (72 in all).

Signed complete sets, now a staple in a Collect Auctions sale, include a 1965 Topps near complete set, 1983 Topps complete set, 1988 Score complete set and 1989 Topps complete set. Also check out a Roberto Clemente signed 1957 Topps card.

Other big names to adorn signed pieces in this sale include Babe Ruth, Kiki Cuyler, Jack Johnson, Knute Rockne, Vince Lombardi, Joe Tinker, Jimmie Foxx, Noah Webster and Theodore Roosevelt.

These and hundreds of other lots will be part of the Dec. 5 Collect Auctions lineup. For more information, call (888) 463-3063 or visit www.collectauctions.com.