SCP Auctions Tallies $3 Million Sale, Led by Gehrig Watch, Cy Young Signed Cabinet Photo and John Moores Trophy

The esteemed Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection of 267 sports artifacts from America’s first true sports museum brought in $1,104,017to highlight the bidding in SCP Auctions’ 2014 Mid-Summer Classic, which concluded early Aug. 24. The proceeds from the sale of sold items from the Helms/LA84 Collection will go toward advancing the work of the LA84 Foundation (www.LA84.org), a non-profit that funds youth sports in southern California.

UPDATE: Lou Gehrig’s 1928 New York Yankees World Champions wristwatch sold for $340,000 on Monday, the day after SCP Auctions’ “Mid-Summer Classic” online auction came to a close. The wristwatch, which was the headliner in SCP’s just-closed event, turned out to be too alluring for the highest bidder to pass up.

“Lou Gehrig’s 1928 World Series watch is one of the most significant items ever offered at auction representing baseball’s beloved ‘Iron Horse,’” said Dan Imler, vice president of SCP Auctions. “We are thrilled to see this treasure sell to an advanced collector for a price worthy of its quality and historical importance.”

The $340,000 price marks one of the highest prices ever paid for a Gehrig item. What’s more, both the consignor of the watch and SCP Auctions have agreed to make donations to their local ALS Association chapters.

“With this summer marking the 75th anniversary of Gehrig’s ‘Luckiest Man Alive’ speech, it seems only fitting,” added Imler.

The top lot from the Helms/LA84 Collection was the prestigious John Moores Trophy, a sterling silver masterpiece that was established in 1938 to recognize the World’s Amateur Baseball Championship, which went for $195,072. In total, the auction of 850 sports memorabilia lots brought in a combined $2.9 million.

The John Moores Trophy, honoring the World’s Amateur Baseball Championship, brought nearly $200,000.

The next three highest-selling lots included a circa 1955 Heisman Trophy replica honoring winners from 1935-1954 ($75,205); Bill Tilden’s 1921 U.S. National Championship Men’s Singles 15K Gold First Place Medal ($69,184; and a circa 1893 Cy Young autographed Cleveland Spiders Pifer & Becker Cabinet Photo ($66,734).

“The overall results of this auction were extremely impressive and proved that the market for the finest quality sports memorabilia continues to thrive," said Dan Imler, vice president of SCP Auctions.

Part 2 of The Newport Sports Museum Collection auction of John Hamilton’s privately owned assortment brought in $349,591, led by the sale of the circa 1976 Tony Dorsett signed University of Pittsburgh game-worn jersey that went for $15,180.

Other highlights from the auction included:

Hand-written, two-page letter from George Washington dated Dec, 5, 1778 (signed “G. Washington”) – $64,507
Complete set of 1952 Topps baseball cards went for $60,667 and included a high-graded Mickey Mantle rookie card – $60,667
Jim “Catfish” Hunter’s 1974 American League Cy Young Award – $56,501
Gene Tenace’s 1982 10K Gold St. Louis Cardinals World Champions Ring – $41,434
Game Ball from 1916 when Georgia Tech obliterated Cumberland University 222-0 in football’s most lopsided game ever – $40,388

All prices include a buyer’s premium. The 1928 Lou Gehrig New York Yankees World Champions wristwatch and the 2012 game-worn and signed Texas A&M jersey from Heisman-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel both failed to meet their respective reserve prices. Full auction results are available at www.scpauctions.com.