Collectible Classics Offering Team-Oriented Collections for the Big Fan

Collectors of 19th century, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns and Cincinnati Reds cards, autographs and memorabilia will find plenty to choose from in Collectible Classics’ 400-lot auction closing June 26. The auction is live at www.auctionscc.com.

An 1889 Goodwin & Co. Baseball Round Album headlines the 19th century offerings. The individual pages are professionally framed so that the fronts and backs can be viewed. Front and back covers of the album are included, although they have not been framed.

Additional lots from the 19th century are 1887 Detroit Wolverines baseball currency; an 1889 Goodwin & Co. studio proof cabinet card of Hank Gastright (Hank Gastreich); multiple lots of woodcuts from Harper’s, Leslie’s, The Graphic (Cincinnati) and other publications; an 1888 N508 Allen & Ginter Sub Rosa Women Baseball Players card; an 1870s-80s Chicago Baseball Club 7-inch metal figure with a bib-front uniform; a rare scorecard for an 1886 game between the National League Washington Statesmen and Boston Beaneaters (eventually the Braves); and an 1888 Pittsburgh Alleghenys (Pirates) at Boston scorecard.

A one-of-a-kind 42-1/2-inch, 5-pound bat that belonged to Honus Wagner tops a list of more than 25 Pittsburgh Pirates collectibles. From the collection of veteran Pittsburgh collector and dealer George Ryden, the bat has Wagner’s name painted on the barrel and “1901 PBBC (Pittsburgh Base Ball Club)” on a ring around the end.

John Burk, co-owner of Collectible Classics, said whether Wagner used the bat for practice or received it to commemorate his impressive 1901 season is uncertain. Ryden has provided a notarized letter summarizing a conversation with Wagner’s granddaughter, who confirmed that the bat belonged to the Hall of Fame shortstop. The bat comes with a 1901 Pirates program scored for a 15-2 win over the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers). Burk describes it as “the finest 1901 Pirates program we’ve seen in 40 years in the hobby.”

Other key items for Pirates collectors include a baseball signed by Roberto Clemente and Vernon Law on separate panels, a panoramic supplement of the 1913 Pirates team from The Index publication, a Jim Umbricht autographed 1960 Topps rookie card, an uncataloged 1930s Blums’ Baseball Bulletin premium of Wagner, 1904 original Husky Hans sheet music and a Forbes Field original folding chair.

Uniqueness in the Chicago Cubs collection is represented by a Mark Rucker display with his original paintings of Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers and Frank Chance.

Multiple autographs of Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Bill Dickey are among more than 25 New York Yankees lots.

St. Louis Browns collectors can choose from a 6-inch 1944 “American League Champions” pin, a 2-1/4-inch version of the same pin, a 1944 World Series program, a 1939 program and a 1951 yearbook.

Cincinnati Reds collectibles include a 1919-20 set of 24 postcards commemorating the team’s 1919 N.L. title, a 1932 contract signed by Silas Johnson and Reds’ owner Sidney Weil and scarce pennants.

CCA is auctioning more than 80 lots of baseball cards, including a 1952 Red Man set, a PSA-graded Dan-Dee near set in groups by grade and 1960s partial sets. More than half of the lots are from the 1950s and earlier.

Among more than 100 autograph lots are Ron Lewis signed 500 Home Run Club and 3,000 Hits signed lithographs; autographs of Home Run Baker, Mickey Cochrane, Hugh Duffy, Ty Cobb, Bill Klem, Bill McGowan, Sadaharu Oh, Connie Mack and the 1957 Chicago White Sox on a baseball; and various dealer groups.

For pin collectors, the auction has a near set (10 of 12) 1904-05 PB-1 baseball position pins in outstanding condition, a Johnny Evers 1915 PM1 ornate-frame pin, five 1937 American Badge Co. Chicago Cubs pins and Sweet Caporal and Orbit Gum pins.

Other auction highlights include a Rochester Red Wings collection with more than 375 autographs, including a baseball signed by Luke Easter and others, scrapbooks, cards and more; 1940s-60s AAFC, NFL and AFL football programs, media guides and yearbooks; an Easton Press edition of Long Walk to Freedom autographed by Nelson Mandela; and more than 20 Muhammad Ali autographs and signatures of Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey.

Additional information and a free catalog are available at www.auctionscc.com or by calling (724) 446-3079.