Collecting 101
Massive array of autographs slated for next Hunt auction
Hunt Auctions will conduct its annual winter auction on Feb. 24-25 in Exton, Pa., at the Inn at Chester Springs. The sale will include more than 1,200 lots to be sold live in two sessions beginning Friday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. Public previews begin Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m. Hunt Auctions will also be offering free appraisal services during the preview hours.
Highlights from the live auction:
- Professional model baseball glove attributed to Joe DiMaggio circa 1943 ($30,000-$40,000 pre-auction estimate)
- Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig autographed baseball ($20,000- $30,000)
- "Shoeless Joe" Jackson professional model baseball bat circa 1921-24 ($15,000- $20,000)
- 1939 Yankees team-signed Red Rolfe professional model baseball bat ($10,000-$15,000)
- Rare 1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson ($7,500-$10,000)
Hunt Auctions, will be offering more than 250 lots of autographed material in the second installment of the James MacAlister Collection. Assembled from 1944 until MacAlister's death in 2004, the collection is considered to be one of the finest and most comprehensive of its type in existence. The February sale will include more than 89,000 signed 3-by-5-inch index cards, 6,000 signed photographs, and 1,400 Hall of Fame plaque postcards, most of which will be sold in bulk lots.
Another of the highlights will be a grouping of more than 100 lots consigned directly by Joe Pignatano, who began his 40-year involvement with Major League Baseball as a catcher with the 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers. After playing with the Dodgers, Giants and A's, he went on to a successful run as coach for the New York Mets from 1968-81.
Highlights from his personal collection include:
- Yogi Berra professional model catcher's mitt circa 1960s ($15,000-$20,000)
- Scarce Joe Pignatano "Brooklyn vs. World" tour jersey circa 1948 ($2,500-$3,500)
- Joe Pignatano 1957 Brooklyn Dodgers warm-up jacket ($2,000-$3,000)
- Robin Roberts Phillies professional model cap circa 1950s-60s ($2,000-$3,000)
- May 7, 1959, Roy Campanella Night presentational silver bowl from Pignatano with the original wooden base and ball ornament ($1,500-$2,000)
- 1973 Willie Mays New York Mets home pants ($1,500-$2,500)
- 1927 Yankees team team-signed ball ($20,000-$30,000), 1927 Yankees team panoramic photograph ($10,000-$15,000), and a 1927 Ruth-endorsed payroll check ($10,000-$15,000)
Baseball card set highlights include: 1931 W317 ($2,500-$3,500); (2) 1953 Bowman Color sets ($7,500-$10,000) and ($4,500-$6,500); 1954 Bowman ($3,000-$4,000); 1954 Topps ($7,500-$10,000); 1955 Topps ($2,500-$3,500); 1957 Topps ($5,000-$7,500); 1957 Topps ($4,000-$5,000); 1958 Topps ($2,500-$3,000); 1958 Topps with yellow letter variations ($3,000-$4,000); 1959 Topps ($2,000-$2,500); 1960 Topps ($3,000-$4,000); and 1961 Topps ($4,000-$5,000).
Tobacco-related items: 1911 T205 Baseball tobacco card set ($25,000-$35,000); rare Goodwin Tobacco Base Ball Album: Champions 1888 ($12,500-$17,500); unique 1912 S110 Turkish Trophies silk pillowcase display piece ($7,500-$10,000); 1888 N173 J. Monte Ward Old Judge Cabinet photograph ($4,000-$5,000); 1888 N173 Comiskey Old Judge Cabinet photograph ($4,000-$5,000); scarce 1912 L1 Christy Mathewson leather premium ($3,500-$4,500); and rare Hughie Jennings Tuxedo Tobacco advertising display sign circa 1910-15 ($2,000-$3,000).
The entire auction catalog may be viewed online at www.huntauctions.com. Bids and catalog orders may be placed through the website or by calling (610) 524-0822. Hunt Auctions is currently accepting consignments for several future auctions, including the second annual Major League Baseball All-Star Live Auction scheduled for July 2006.
