Mastro Auctions recently completed its inaugural fine arts sale in conjunction with its April sports and Americana catalog auction, logging more than $13.1 million in total sales, a figure that represents the company's second-highest total in its history.
The three-day sale was paced by a string of remarkable items that topped the $100,000 mark, including a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie in PSA 9 that sold for a record $141,281, making it one of the most expensive cards ever sold.
The Lajoie rarity grabbed the headlines in a cardboard grouping that also included 1911 T205 Gold Border near master set ($128,145), a 1910 T210 Old Mill Cigarettes Joe Jackson rookie ($109,639), a 1919 T213 Coupon Cigarettes Type 3 complete set with overprint variations ($96,713), a 1916 M101-5 Sporting News near set (shown at right, $90,199), a 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Ruth rookie, PSA 8 - $85,904, and an all-graded 1962 Topps Baseball master set that was the No. 2 entry on the PSA Set Registry ($72,166).
In addition to the traditional emphasis on high-grade cards and sets, the auction also featured an unprecedented assortment of unopened material from famed collector Larry Fritsch, bats from the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Ted Williams and others, rare jerseys and uniforms from Ted Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Roberto Clemente, plus several memorabilia collections, including those of baseball players George "Shotgun" Shuba and Jim Turner. In addition, the 1977 Kentucky Derby "Jockey Cup" of Jean Cruguet made a final bidding run that finished in spectacular fashion.
Specific auction results from Mastro's April Auction are detailed in the following:
Highlighted sports items
- Lou Gehrig 1933 H&B Small Signature game-used bat, MEARS A-9.5 - $120,878
- Babe Ruth 1918 game-used and vault-marked bat - $116,229
- Joe DiMaggio 1933-35 San Francisco Seals signed game-worn jersey, MEARS A-9 - $104,418
- 1954 Topps Unopened Five-Cent wax box of 36 packs - $75.775
- 1977 Kentucky Derby "Jockey Cup" of Jean Cruguet for riding Seattle Slew to victory in the 103rd Kentucky Derby - $74,205
- 1909-11 T206 White Border near set of 519 - $72,166
- 1888-89 Joseph Hall (N338-2 S.F. Hess) New York Giants cabinets (18) - $70,365
- 1952 Topps high-grade near set of 376/407 - $62,338
The George "Shotgun" Shuba Collection
Key lots included: Shuba's 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series ring with original display box - $56,671; Shuba's 1952 Brooklyn Dodgers game-worn complete uniform - $9,391; the first National League World Series pinch-hit home run ball - $8,536; Shuba's World Series game-issued bats from 1952, 1953 and 1955 - $8,348; Shuba's 1953 Dodgers NL Championship ring - $7,054; a 1953 Pee Wee Reese H&B bat, used by Shuba to hit first NL pinch-hit home run in World Series, signed - $5,096; and Shuba's personal World Series Black Bats from 1952, 1953 and 1955 - $4,281.
The Jim Turner Collection
Highlights included: Turner's 1939 Boston Bees complete game-worn home uniform with cap - $37,741; Dorothy and Jackie Turner's personal autograph books - $32,435; a 1958 World Champion New York Yankees team-signed baseball - $31,716; a 1951 World Champion New York Yankees team-signed ball - $22,152; a massive collection of equipment, signatures and memorabilia - $21,300; a 1938 National League and American League All-Stars George Burke signed photograph display - $21,300; Turner's 1940 Cincinnati Reds complete game-worn home uniform with cap - $19,364; his 1953 Yankees World Series ring with original display box - $18,055; and a 1953 World Champion Yankees team-signed ball - $16,642.
More graded cards and sets
- 1934 Goudey No. 61 Lou Gehrig, PSA 9 - $56,671
- 1915 E145-2 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson, PSA 8 - $51,519
- 1952 Topps Baseball complete PSA-graded master set with Red and Black backs, Sain and Page variations (489) - $48,048
- 1911 T3 Turkey Red Christy Mathewson, PSA 6 - $43,172
- 1960 Topps Baseball PSA-graded complete set - $42,576
- 1933 R319 Goudey PSA-graded complete set, including No. 106 Lajoie - $36,099
- 1951 Bowman low numbers collection, PSA 8 (217 different) - $35,187
- 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie, PSA 9 - $35,187
- 1954 Bowman Ted Williams, PSA 9 - $35,187
- 1911 T201 Mecca Double Folders SGC-graded complete set (50) - $32,088
- 1948 Bowman Berra rookie, PSA 10 - $31,987
- 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie, GAI 9 - $31,987
- 1914 E224 Texas Tommy Type 1 Honus Wagner, PSA 4 - $28,832
- 1933-34 R319 Goudey Napoleon Lajoie, SGC 60 - $28,353
- 1903 E107 Breisch-Williams Type I Cy Young, PSA 3 - $28,353
- collection of high-grade 1934 R320 Goudey high numbers (11 different) - $28,353
- 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Ruth rookie, PSA 6 - $25,775
- 1914 T222 Fatima completely graded partial set (42/52) - $25,775
- 1911 T3 Turkey Red Cobb, PSA 5 - $25,775
- 1933 Goudey Carl Hubbell, PSA 9 - $24,369
- 1952 Berk Ross high-grade complete set, all graded PSA 9 - $23,431
- 1970 Topps PSA 9 partial set (595/720) - $23,431
- 1959 Topps high-grade complete set - $22,660
- 1952 Topps Mantle rookie, PSA 5 - $22,152
- 1934 Goudey Luke Appling, SGC 96 - $21,916
- rare 1916 D303 Mothers' Bread collection (14 different) - $21,916
- 1911-14 D304 Brunners Bread/General Baking collection (24 different) - $21,660
- 1933 Goudey Lon Warneke, PSA 10 - $20,138
- 1909 T204 Ramly Jesse Burkett, PSA 8 - $20,599
- 1915 E106 American Caramel SGC-graded near set - $19,923
- 1934 Goudey high-grade collection (8) - $18,307
- 1909-11 T206 White Border Cobb Portrait Green Background, PSA 7 - $18,307
- 1953 Bowman Color high-grade complete set - $17,603
- 1952 Topps PSA 8 high numbers collection (11) - $16,642
- 1934 Goudey Ed Wells, PSA 9 - $16,465
- 1954 Topps PSA 9 collection (9) - $16,273
- 1937 O-Pee-Chee Joe DiMaggio, PSA 8 - $16,002
- 1910 E93 Standard Caramel PSA-graded complete set - $14,067
Ungraded cards and partially graded sets
- 1911 L1 Large Leather tobacco premium Cobb - $46,835
- 1953 Topps high-grade complete set - $46,835
- 1958 Topps high-grade complete set, plus Yellow Letter variations (29), contest card and Felt Emblem card - $37,741
- 1952 Topps complete master set with Red and Black backs, Sain and Page variations - $31,987
- 1902-11 W600 Sporting Life cabinet Jesse Burkett - $31,716
- 1957 Topps high-grade complete set (407) plus checklists (2), contest cards (4) and Lucky Penny insert - $31,189
- 1962 Topps high-grade complete set, plus Buhl and Tasby variations and a complete set of "Green Tint" variations (88) - $28,353
- 1911-16 T216 "Kotton Cigarettes" collection (97 different) - $22,660
- 1950 Bowman high-grade complete set - $22,152
- 1957 Topps high-grade complete set - $20,138
- 1953 Bowman Color high-grade complete set - $17,603
- 1958 Topps high-grade complete set - $17,022
- 1934 R320 Goudey complete set - $16,642
- 1949 Bowman complete set - $15,128
Unopened wonders
- 1954 Topps Baseball Five-Cent display box with 11 high-grade packs - $25,775
- mint 1952 Topps Baseball unopened Five-Cent wax pack - $8,536
- 1972 Topps Baseball Sixth Series wax box - $4,710
- 1954 Topps Basebal Five-Cent wax pack - $3,892
Gone bats
- Ruth 1917-19 H&B game-used bat, MEARS A-6.5 - $46,835
- Jimmie Foxx 1926-31 H&B game-used bat, MEARS A-8 - $42,576
- Rogers Hornsby 1921-31 H&B game-used bat, MEARS A-8 - $25,775
- Mel Ott 1945 game-used H&B bat, MEARS A-8 - $21,847
- Ted Williams 1939-42 H&B rookie era game-used bat, MEARS A-8 - $18,055
- circa 1910 Frank Chance Spalding professional hand-turned bat, MEARS A-8 - $16,002
- Ernie Banks 1953-60 H&B game-used bat, MEARS A-10 - $13,606
- Roger Maris 1961 H&B game-used bat, MEARS A-7 - $10,928
- Roberto Clemente 1965-68 H&B game-used bat, MEARS A-7 - $10,330
Signed balls
- 1953 Ty Cobb single-signed - $51,519
- Honus Wagner single-signed - $13,753
- 1926 Yankees A.L. Champions team-signed ball with Ruth, Gehrig and Huggins - $13,753
- Ruth single-signed - $11,244
- Jackie Robinson single-signed - $11,112
- 1928 Philadelphia Athletics team-signed with Ty Cobb appearing twice - $11,112; a signed baseball with Ruth, Gehrig, Speaker and Cobb - $10,221
- 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Champions team-signed ball - $10,221
- 1932 Yankees World Champions team-signed ball with Ruth and Gehrig - $9,391
- 1934 Japan Tour signed ball with Ruth and Gehrig - $8,733
Baseball gear
- 1959 Ted Williams Red Sox game-worn home jersey, MEARS A-8 - $58,139
- circa 1900 Christy Mathewson New York Giants game-worn jacket - $52,854
- Roberto Clemente 1958 Pittsburgh Pirates game worn road jersey, MEARS A-9 - $43,679
- Roger Maris 1967 Cardinals game-worn home jersey, MEARS A-9l $30,162
- Elmer Steele 1911 Pittsburgh Pirates team sweater - $17,604
- Hank Aaron 1974 Atlanta Braves signed game-worn home jersey, MEARS A-8 - $13,225
- Ron Santo 1971 Chicago Cubs signed game-worn home jersey, MEARS A-10 - $10,221
- Ted Williams game-used bronzed spike - $9,183
- 1940s Ernie Lombardi Cincinnati Reds game-worn warm-up jacket - $8,348
- Phil Rizzuto 1953 Yankees game-worn and signed road jersey - $7,938
- Ted Williams 1972 Texas Rangers game-worn manager's home jersey, MEARS A-7 - $7,760
- circa 1870s bib style complete baseball uniform - $6,412.
Autographs
- 1929 World Series autographed photograph with Cobb and Ruth - $41,515
- 1924 Mathewson signed check - $30,162
- autographed 1925 Exhibit Lou Gehrig rookie card - $19,364
- 1876 Chicago White Stockings stock certificate signed by Spalding and Hulbert - $18,055
- collection of 1938 World Champion Yankees individually signed George Burke photos (18) including Gehrig and DiMaggio - $14,548
- Perez-Steele Hall of Fame postcard hoard (822) with 652 signatures - $12,502
- Hank Aaron's 1954 Milwaukee Braves rookie year signed contract commanded $12,022
- 1974 Topps autographed complete set plus variations (718 cards) - $11,112
- collection of 1939 Hall of Fame induction autographs - $9,607
- 1922 Mathewson signed letter - $8,536
Memorabilia
- Rocky Colavito's "Outstanding Batting Achievements: Babe Ruth Crown Trophy - $37,741
- 1924 Walter Johnson statue - $32,088
- Bill Stafford's 1961 Yankees World Series player's ring - $25,775
- 1894 Pittsburgh Base Ball Club advertising schedule display - $20,138
- 1912 Boston Garter advertising sign with Eddie Collins and Hal Chase - $17,603
- Ty Cobb's 1908 American League Champion Tigers pocket watch - $14,920
- 1998 Yankees World Series ring (front office) - $14,067
- hoard of 1930-73 World Series programs (113 assorted) - $12,368
- 1980 Philadelphia Phillies World Series trophy - $11,244
Photography
- 1919 Black Sox original team photo - $14,067
- Ruth original photograph by Charles Conlon - $10,102
- "Close Play at First" original 1932 Lou Gehrig photo - $7,966
- 1894 Baltimore Orioles original photo with Keeler, McGraw, Jennings and Kelley - $5,983
- Basketball
- 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Nat Holman, PSA 8 - $15,804
- 1948 Bowman PSA-graded set - $14,548
- 1961-62 Fleer Basketball PSA 8 set - $13,225
- 1969-70 to 1981/82 Topps sets (13) - $9,391
- Jerry West circa 1973 Lakers game-worn and signed road jersey - $9,391
- 1948 Bowman George Mikan rookie card, PSA 8 - $8,536
- 1986-87 Fleer Basketball unopened wax box (36) - $8,536
- 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie, Beckett 9.5 - $6,899
Hockey
- high-grade 1911-12 C55 Hockey Players master set (45) - $32,435
- 1911-12 C55 Hockey Players complete set (45) plus small variation - $12,368
- 1966 Topps USA Test Hockey PSA-graded complete set - $17,900
- 1964-65 Topps high-grade set - $14,967
- Wayne Gretzky 1981-82 Edmonton Oilers game-worn road jersey - $14,920
- 1960-61 Topps Hockey PSA-graded complete set, No. 1 on the PSA Set Registry - $12,368
- 1961-62 Topps Hockey PSA-graded complete set, No. 1 on the PSA Set Registry - $10,221
- Mark Messier 1984-85 Edmonton Oilers game-worn road jersey - $9,031
Football
- 1957 Topps Bart Starr rookie, PSA 9 - $29,171
- 1950 Bowman Otto Graham, PSA 9 - $26,210
- Mark Ingram's 1990 New York Giants Super Bowl XXV player's ring - $23,431
- 1965 Topps Football PSA-graded set - $21,300
- 1920s Jim Thorpe game-used helmet - $18,522
- 1966 Philadelphia Dick Butkus rookie, PSA 9 - $14,792
- 1930s-2002 Chicago Bears football programs, including playoffs and extremely rare NFL Championships (113 Items) - $13,225
- 1935 R331 National Chicle set - $12,368
- 1937 R343 Mayfair Candies PSA-graded complete set - $11,364
- 1948 Leaf complete set - $11,244
- 1960s AFL officials uniform - $10,604
- 1972 Dolphins Super Bowl VII ring (employee) - $10,569
- 1967 NFL Pro Portraits by Williams Advertising (541) - $10,102
- 1948-55 Bowman football complete sets (6) - $9,391
Boxing
- 1948 Leaf Boxing PSA-graded - $37,741
- 1880s Old Judge and S.F. Hess boxing cards graded collection (14 different) - $10,102
- signed W.B.C. replica belt loaded with 59 signatures (several deceased) including Ali, Frazier, De la Hoya and Duran - $4,158
Golf
- 1905 "St. Andrews International Foursome Winners" imperial cabinet photograph signed by Vardon, Braid, Taylor and Herd - $10,102
- 1927 W.A. and A.C. Churchman "Famous Golfers - Small? complete PSA-graded set - $10,102
- 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Bobby Jones, PSA 8 - $8,536
- collection of 1910s to 1930s British Golf Tobacco cards complete and partial sets (14) - $7,679
Non-sport cards
- A collection of 1967 Topps "Wacky Packages" die-cut Five-Cent wax box, unopened packs (22), wrappers (2) and PSA-graded cards (10) - $19,364
- 1938 R69 Gum Inc. "Horrors of War" PSA 8 collection (55 different) - $18,307
- 1938 R69 Gum Inc. "Horrors of War" PSA 9 collection (16) - $16,642
- 1965 Fleer "Hogan's Heroes" unopened wax box - $15,128
- 1966 Topps "Lost in Space" unopened wax box - $13,753
- 1962 Topps "Mars Attacks" high-grade collection (30 different) - $13,447
- 1962 Topps "Civil War News" unopened Ten-Cent cello box (36) - $12,502
- high-grade 1964 Leaf "Munsters" set (72) and stickers set (16), plus wrapper - $12,368
- 1932 R114 U.S. Caramel "Presidents" PSA-graded complete set (30) minus McKinley - $12,225
- 1947 R773 Goudey "Indian Gum" complete PSA-graded set (96) - $11,625
- rare 1933 R113 "Popeye Comic Booklets" GAI-graded complete set (30) - $11,244
Highlighted Americana items
- PSA-graded 1933/34 R136 National Chicle "Sky Birds" complete set, No. 1 on PSA Set Registry - $38,706
- PSA-graded 1965 Topps Test "King Kong" complete set, also No. 1 on the Set Registry - $37,741
- 1867 Seated Liberty Dollar With Motto NGC PROOF 67* Cameo - $32,816
- 1824 Declaration of Independence on Paper from the W. J. Stone Plate - $32,816
- Mid-1870s "Women's Suffrage" letter archive with Susan B. Anthony (9), Elizabeth Cady Stanton (2) and Amelia Bloomer (2), historic and content-driven, with 15 letters - $32,435
- Pope Benedict XVI single-signed ball - $26,805
- Extremely rare full signature of Declaration signer Thomas Lynch - $21,300
- 1903 Morgan Dollar NGC PF68 - $19,861
- President Calvin Coolidge single-signed baseball - $38,829
- Dwight D. Eisenhower single-signed first pitch ball of 1953 season - $29,171
- John F. Kennedy's personal 14K gold presidential cufflinks - $12,502
- 1962 appointment certificate of Judge Inzer B. Wyatt signed by President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy - $11,625
- 1865 Abraham Lincoln assassination relics including hair and blood-soaked cloth - $9,935
- collection of autographed White House cards (50 different) - $9,031
- 1862 Abraham Lincoln signed presidential commission - $8,733
Fine arts highlights
- 1927 "Grim Lairs" oil on canvas by John Fabian Carlson - $59,562
- Circa 1920s "Red Barns in Spring" oil on canvas by Ernest Lawson - $32,816
- "Renault with Female Bathers" oil on canvas by de Bruyne - $28,353
- 1917 "The Clyde Line's S. S. Apache" oil on canvas by Antonio N.G. Jacobsen - $27,119
- 1924 R. Lalique "Daphne" statue - $24,654
- "Woman Cotton Picker" oil on board by William Aiken Walker - $24,616
Mastro Auctions next premier auction is scheduled for August. Consignments are currently being accepted. For more information or for consignment details, call (630) 472-1200, or visit www.mastroauctions.com.
