Goldin Auctions’ Babe Ruth Roadshow Kicks Off in Florida

On July 11, 1914, the greatest player in baseball history, Babe Ruth, played his first MLB game and baseball was forever changed. One hundred years later, Goldin Auctions and the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Sports Museum will also make history when they hold the largest auction of Babe Ruth memorabilia in the Goldin Auctions Babe Ruth Centennial Auction, to take place July 12.

To procure historic Ruth artifacts from all across the U.S., Ken Goldin will canvass the country to find hidden Ruth artifacts in basements, garages, attics and personal collections. During March, Goldin will visit Florida, Las Vegas, California, Baltimore and Boston and will meet with collectors to authenticate, appraise and accept consignments for the auction. In April, the Goldin Auctions Babe Ruth Roadshow will continue in additional cities including Kansas City and New York. A detailed schedule will be posted at www.GoldinAuctions.com.

People unable to attend one of the Roadshow stops are encouraged to contact Goldin Auctions to have their items appraised for consignment into the auction. Collectors interested in consigning an item, registering to bid in the auction, or attending the live auction and/or preview night can do so at the website.

The first five stops of the Goldin Auctions Babe Ruth Roadshow are:

"Babe Ruth memorabilia is bigger than ever. In fact, over the past year many of the highest-priced pieces of sports memorabilia sold at auction were related to Ruth," explains Goldin. "With the biggest Babe Ruth auction being held on the centennial of his first MLB game, now is the time for anyone who has thought about consigning an item to step up. We are excited to see the historic Babe Ruth and Yankees' memorabilia uncovered during the Roadshow."

Just like the Babe, who was a dual threat as both a pitcher and hitter, the Goldin Auctions Babe Ruth Centennial Auction will be open to bidders online and at a live auction on July 12 at the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Sports Museum in Baltimore. The catalog and online portion will conclude on Sunday, July 13. The live auction will also be webcast at www.GoldinAuctions.com and be preceded by a special preview night at the museum for registered bidders on July 11. Appropriately, the Yankees will be in Baltimore to face the Orioles that weekend.

Some of the high-value Ruth Live Auction items already consigned include: 1916 Ruth rookie game-used bat (PSA GU-9) – the earliest known Ruth bat to be graded and authenticated; 1914 Baltimore News Ruth rookie card; 1932 Ruth game-used bat (PSA GU-10) with Yankees provenance and letter from Yankees; 1920s Ruth autographed and game-used bat; 1916 Ruth Sporting News rookie card with the rare 'Famous and Barr' back – one of just four known; a Ruth single-signed baseball (PSA 8.5); and many more soon to be announced historically important artifacts from the Bambino.

Although the Ruth items are the centerpieces of the historic auction, collectors will also have the opportunity to consign items from other legendary players such as Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Several spectacular items from these great Yankees have already been consigned for inclusion into the auction including: a DiMaggio 1951 World Series ring; a 1941 game-used bat from the season of his 56-game hitting streak, MVP and World Series championship; a Mantle 1966 game-used and signed fielder's glove, which is the last glove he wore as a centerfielder; Mantle's 1960 contract; a pair of 1967 Mantle pants worn when he hit home run number 500; a 1951 Mantle rookie game-used and signed bat; and a large Derek Jeter game-used ensemble.