Goodwin Champions headline Collectible Classics’ M

Collectible Classics' March auction was dubbed an "Auction for Collectors," and it proved to be just that. With final realized prices ranging from $40 to $2,488, there was something for everyone in all price ranges.

The item selling for the highest amount was a lot that contained 11 1888 N162 Goodwin Champions cards. This lot sold for $2,488. This wasn't the only lot containing cards from the Goodwin Champions set. Another lot contained two boxing cards, Jack Dempsey and Charlie Mitchell, from the 1888 N162 Goodwin Champions set, and sold for $944. Two chess cards from the same set were offered in a separate lot and sold for $688.

There were other cards offered from the same time period, including 10 1888 N184 Kimball cards, which sold for $655. A near set of 1887 N28 Allen and Ginter boxers including John L. Sullivan sold for $1,486.

There were plenty of baseball items that collectors chased after, with a Mickey Mantle item leading the way. The Mantle item was an autographed 1973 "Mickey Mantle Nite" poster. The poster was matted and framed with the front and back of the ticket for Mantle's special night. The item sold for $1,391. Another Mantle item that sold well was a 1957 Topps Mantle card graded PSA 6, which sold for $610.

There were a couple of Roberto Clemente items that sold well, with an official Giles NL baseball signed by Clemente and 28 other 1960 World Champion Pirates selling for $1,491. An autographed "Roberto Clemente Night" poster sold for $610.

Other top-selling baseball items included: an original 1958 Babe Ruth Hartland figure with the original tag and box ($506); a scarce 1954 Esskay Meats Baltimore Orioles Bobo Newsom photo premium ($793); a 1959 Fleer Ted Williams near set - 79 of 80 cards ($713); an uncut partial sheet of 1965 Topps short prints with Perez and Hunter rookies ($723); a 500 Home Run Club baseball signed by 11 ($811); an early 1900s Chicago area "Spalding" baseball team photo ($517); a 1919 Sterling Silver 18-inch baseball trophy from Homestead Steel near Pittsburgh ($1,035); and a 1957 Baseball All-Star Game press pin and the original artwork ($575).

The top football item in the auction was a print signed by 48 members of the Pittsburgh Steelers' 1970s dynasty. The print sold for $985.

Basketball trading cards proved to be popular. A near set of 1961-62 Fleer Basketball cards sold for $923. Only three cards were missing from the set. A near set of 92 cards of 1969-70 Topps Basketball sold for $560.

There was a unique basketball item that sold for $857. The item was a scarce 1949-50 Rochester Royals signed team photo (shown at left) and 1940s-50s programs. The photo was signed by all 10 members of the team, with four of them in the Hall of Fame.

Leading the way for non-sport items was a near set of 188 cards from the 1955 R714-17 Topps Rails & Sails set, which sold for $1,309. A 1941 R137 Goudey Sky Birds set of 24 sold for $573. While an unopened box of 1965 Philadelphia gum "War Bulletin" cards sold for $541.

Collectible Classics' next auction will be held in May. For more information about Collectible Classics, visit www.auctionscc.com.