Mantle Bat, 1912 Fenway Opening Ticket Lead Massive Heritage Auctions Sale

Supreme rarity and landmark historical importance define Heritage Auctions’ Oct. 26-28 Vintage Sports Collectibles Signature Auction, the largest cataloged auction that Heritage Sports Collectibles has ever presented.

“The sheer amount of good memorabilia in this auction really defies probability,” said Chris Ivy, director of Heritage Sports Collectibles. “There are dozens of lots within this auction that haven’t surfaced in the hobby in the past decade; much of this material might not surface at auction again for years.”

Ticket collectors in particular will be stunned by the selection available. The only 1912 Fenway Park grand opening stub to be auctioned in at least a decade makes its debut, as does a 1962 stub for the rather sparsely attended game that saw Wilt Chamberlain score 100 points in Hershey, Pa.

A selection of rare early Masters badges once supplied entry to American golf’s most celebrated tournament, and will thrill links-lovers, and a program that stands as one of a handful to witness the grand opening of the original Yankee Stadium in 1923 will be equally irresistible to baseball fans.

The most famous trading card discovery in hobby history, the Black Swamp Find, makes its second auction appearance after its debut in the Heritage “Platinum Night” auction in the shadow of the Baltimore National Sports Collectors Convention in early August, providing the first opportunity to bid for individual specimens from the pristine collection of 1910 E98 candy cards.

“There’s no question that this is our best trading card offering to date,” notes Ivy, “even without the help of the Black Swamp. The third finest T206 Plank on the planet, a Near-Mint-plus Mantle Topps rookie and an M101-5 blank back Babe Ruth rookie are just the tip of the iceberg.”

A bulging Hall of Fame bat rack is anchored by a bat used by Mickey Mantle in his first All-Star Game action in 1953. Though he had been named to the American League team in 1952, this bat was with him for his first Midsummer Classic plate appearance.

Joining the Mick with quality game used lumber are the likes of Tris Speaker, Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Roy Campanella, Roberto Clemente and Whitey Ford.

An incredible signed baseball, with autographs gathered from baseball greats across eight decades, continues its amazing journey in this auction; it features high-grade autographs from Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle and more. Single-signed spheres also appear in this auction from such legendary names as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Kid Nichols, Dave Bancroft, Hughie Jennings, Ty Cobb and Pie Traynor.

Further highlights include, but are not limited to: