On the strength of a couple of boffo bats and its traditional massive array of sports and Americana collectibles, Mastro Auctions posted a $12.5-million sales total for its December auction, propelling the company to more than $43.5 million in sales for the calendar year.
Among the more notable sports items was a bat used by Jackie Robinson during his MVP year. The bat sold for $98,827, a record for a Robinson gamer. Another bat that scored well was a Babe Ruth gamer used during his "Called Shot" season. That piece of prized lumber went for $89,639.
Also significant was a complete set of 1894 N302 Mayo's Cut Plug SCG-graded football cards that sold for $91,535.
According to company president Doug Allen, Mastro Auctions will continue the expansion process into new markets such as the comic book and comic art sector. "Our efforts, especially in the comic art sector, have been extremely well received," said Allen. "Our goal is to build on the foundation laid in the markets we entered in 2006 and provide more opportunity for the overall collecting public in 2007."
Specific auction results from Mastro's December Auction:
1894 N302 Mayo's Cut Plug Football SGC-graded complete set (35) - $91,535
Gem Mint 1934 Goudey Hank Greenberg - $79,069
1909-11 T206 White Border near set (519 different) - $75,304
Lou Gehrig 1923-31 H&B game-used bat - $73,744
Cap Anson single-signed ball - $73,424
1911 T205 Gold Border complete set (208), plus Dougherty variation - $68,302
1909-11 T206 White Border partial set (443)
- $68,302
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 - $66,887
1909-11 E90-1 American Caramel complete set (120) - $65,048
1961/62 Fleer PSA-graded complete set (66), No. 3 on the PSA Set Registry - $65,048
Giant 1912 T202 Ty Cobb Hassan Triple Folder advertising display - $59,135
1952 Topps graded near set (400/407) - $59,135
1911 T205 Gold Border complete set (208), plus four variations - $57,660
1888 N162 Goodwin "Champions" SGC graded Baseball players complete set (8) - $43,320
Bart Starr circa 1960 Packers game-worn home jersey - $39,382
1959 Topps Baseball complete set - $33,845
1952 Topps low-number master set (392) - $31,474
Larry Lajoie single-signed ball - $25,428
1909 T204 Ramly Walter Johnson PSA 5 - $23,116
1912-13 C57 Hockey partial set, all PSA graded (38/50) - $22,602
1911 T3 Turkey Red Cabinets Ty Cobb PSA 5 - $21,013
Hack Wilson single-signed ball - $20,546
1933 Goudey Red Faber, PSA 9 - $20,546
1952 Topps #403 Bill Miller - PSA MINT 9 "1 of 1!" - min. bid $500 - commanded $20,546.
1974 Topps Baseball unopened vending boxes (12) - $19,103.
1914 E224 "Texas Tommy" Type-2 PSA-graded trio - $16,980
1934 Goudey Joe Kuhel, PSA 9 - $14,032
1971 Topps Baseball 1st Series unopened vending box - $14,032
Graded Cards and Sets:
1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie - PSA 8 - $55,152
1953 Stahl-Meyer PSA-graded complete set (9), No. 1 on the PSA Set Registry - $44,428
1909-11 T206 White Border Walter Johnson Portrait, PSA 8 - $44,428
1909-11 T206 White Border Eddie Plank PSA 3 - $43,988
1933 Goudey No. 92 Gehrig, SGC 96 - $40,388
1959 Topps PSA-graded complete set (572), No. 11 on the PSA Set Registry - $40,388;
1909-11 T206 White Border Cy Young Glove Shows, PSA 8 - $37,230
1956 Topps complete, checklists and team variation (343), No. 12 on the PSA Set Registry - $36,716
1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie, PSA 6 - $36,716
1912 E300 Plow's Candy Christy Mathewson, PSA 8 - $35,801
1952 Topps Mantle, PSA 7 - $30,343
1968 Topps 3-D Bob Clemente PSA 10 - $30,343
1914 E224 Texas Tommy Type-2 Christy Mathewson, PSA 6 - $29,586
1952 Topps high numbers PSA 8 collection (21) - $28,612
1933 Goudey Sport Kings Ruth PSA 8 - $27,584
1951 Bowman low numbers PSA 8 collection (212 different) - $26,896
1933 R338 Goudey Sport Kings SGC-graded near set (45/48) - $26,896
1932 U.S. Caramel Ruth, PSA 8 - $26,896
1962 Topps PSA-graded complete set (598), No. 6 on the PSA Set Registry - $25,076
1958 Topps PSA-graded near set (464/494) plus variations - $24,450
1909-11 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat On Shoulder, PSA 8 - $23,645
1952 Topps Ed Mathews, PSA 8 - $22,796
1961 Topps PSA-graded complete set (587), No. 13 on the PSA Set Registry - $22,796
1914 E224 Texas Tommy Type-2 Honus Wagner, PSA 5 - $22,226
1934-36 R327 National Chicle Diamond Stars PSA-graded complete set (108), No. 7 on the PSA Set Registry - $22,226
1952 Topps "High Numbers" PSA 8 collection (20) - $21,494
1941 Play Ball Ted Williams, PSA 9 - $20,724
1911 T3 Turkey Red Cabinets PSA 5 collection (16 different) - $20,206
1939 Play Ball Ted Williams rookie card, PSA 9 - $20,206
1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio, SGC 92 - $20,206
1951 Bowman PSA 9 collection (30 different) - $19,540
1915 Cracker Jack Christy Mathewson, SGC 92 - $19,540
1954 Topps Henry Aaron rookie, PSA 9 - $18,368
1960 Topps PSA-graded complete set (572), No. 12 on the PSA Set Registry - $18,368
1935 Diamond Stars Lefty Grove, PSA 8 - $18,368
1888 N43 Allen & Ginter "World's Champions 2nd Series large cards SGC-graded complete set (50) - $18,368
1933 Goudey No. 144 Ruth, PSA 8 - $18,368
1933 Goudey No. 181 Ruth, PSA 8 - $18,368
Ungraded and Partially Graded Cards and Sets:
? 1933 R319 Goudey complete set (240), including Lajoie - $44,428
? 1912 T202 Hassan Triple Folders complete set (132) - $22,226
? 1939 R334 Play Ball high-grade complete set (161) - $21,494
? 1948-49 Leaf partial set (80/98) plus Aberson variation - $21,013
? 1933 R319 Goudey complete set (239) - $19,540
? 1956 Topps uncut sheet of 110 - $19,103
? 1951 Bowman complete set (324) - $17,762
? 1933 R319 Goudey complete set (239) - $17,365
? 1954 Topps complete set (250) - $17,365
? 1912 T207 Brown Background complete set (200) plus Livingston variation - $15,786
? 1954 Topps high-grade complete set - $14,678
? 1909-11 T206 White Border Eddie Plank (restored) - $14,351
? 1949 Bowman complete set (240) plus 12 variations - $13,045
? 1951 Bowman complete set (324) - $13,045
? 1952 Bowman complete set (252) - $13,045
? 1933 R305 Tatoo Orbit complete set - $12,756
? 1934-36 R327 National Chicle Diamond Stars complete set (108) plus wrapper - $11,858
? 1956 Topps high-grade complete set (340) plus checklists (2) and team variations (9) - $11,858
? 1957 Topps high-grade complete set (407) plus checklists - $11,858
Mark Friedland Autographed Card Collection: 1955 Topps near set (204) - $26,896; 1954 Topps near set (245) - $20,206; 1961 Topps near set (483) - $14,678; 1969 Topps near set (645) - $9,113; 1971 Topps near set (702) - $8,234; and an autographed 1965 Topps near set (593) - $7,530.
From the Fritsch Warehouse: 1970-71 Topps Basketball 2nd Series unopened vending box, GAI 9.5 - $9,799; 1976-77 Topps Basketball unopened vending boxes (3) - $8,312; 1968 Topps Basebal l 4th Series unopened vending box - $7,919; 1971 Topps Baseball 4th Series unopened vending box - $7,919; 1971 Topps Baseball 2nd Series unopened vending box - $5,948; and a 1971 Topps Baseball 3rd Series unopened vending box, GAI 8 - $5,407.
Unopened Packs, Boxes and Cases: 1975 Topps Baseball unopened rack pack hoard (96) all GAI-graded - $23,645; 1971 Topps Baseball 4th-6th Series unopened vending boxes (4) - $19,549; 1954 Topps Baseball unopened high-grade 5-cent wax packs (11) with display box - $18,368; 1976 Topps unopened vending case - $17,635; 1975 Topps unopened vending boxes (8) - $13,045; 1972 Topps Baseball 1st and 2nd Series unopened vending boxes (6) - $11,028; 1968 Topps unopened wax box - $10,780; 1974 Topps unopened rack packs (26) - $9,582; 1954 Topps Baseball unopened five-cent wax pack collection - $8,284; 1972 Topps unopened wax boxes (4) - $7,530; and a 1960 Topps Baseball 1st Series unopened vending box - $6,691.
Autographed Baseballs: Frank Chance single-signed - $39,382; Jesse Burkett single-signed - $29,586; Amos Rusie single-signed - $24,450; Cy Young single-signed ball, dated 1907 - $22,226; 1933 All-Star A.L. and N.L. team-signed - $17,762; Ruth 1926 single-signed - $15,786; Tris Speaker single-signed - $14,351; Ty Cobb single-signed - $13,800; Ruth single-signed MacGregor - $13,800; and a Jackie Robinson single-signed ball - $12,131.
Bats: Lou Gehrig 1923-31 H&B game-used - $55,152; Ruth 1924-28 H&B game-used - $37,610; Ted Williams 1947 Triple Crown season H&B game-used - $36,716; Mel Ott 1934-44 H&B game-used - $20,724; Mickey Mantle 1966 H&B game-used bat - $16,698; Ted Williams 1950-60 H&B game-used - $15,180; Hank Greenberg 1934 Spalding side-written game-used bat - $14,678; Mel Ott 1934-38 Kren's hand-turned game-used bat - $13,800; and a Honus Wagner 1917-21 H&B Professional model bat with "Honus Wagner 6-21-23" sidewriting - $12,545.
Baseball Autographs: Gehrig 1925 payroll check signed by Gehrig, Barrow and Ruppert - $39,382; 1948 Ruth-signed 20-by-24 photograph - $29,586; 1927 Ruth and Gehrig signed barnstorming tour photograph - $20,724; 1933-34 Ruth store model H&B signed bat - $17,762; Ty Cobb correspondence collection (20 items) - $13,800; Roberto Clemente signed 1958 Pirates player contract - $13,045; 1880 Alexander Cartwright signed check - $11,404; and a 1938 Gehrig-signed photo from famous George Burke image - $11,404.
Photographs: Four different 1930s Ruth batting "sequential" news service photographs - $12,389; Walter Johnson circa 1907 Minor League cabinet photo - $11,596; 1907 Cardinals panoramic photo with Hall of Famer Jake Beckley - $7,919; 1913 Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson original photograph by Head Joplin - $7,530; a 1912 Boston Red Sox World Champions team panoramic photograph by Carl Horner - $6,691; and a "The Babe Bows Out" 1948 news service photograph by Nat Fein - $6,244.
Game-used Gear: "Sad Sam" Jones 1929-31 Senators game-worn home jersey - $16,698; a Reggie Jackson 1968 Oakland Athletics game-worn and signed road vest - $15,180; 1977 Brooks Robinson Orioles game-worn road jersey - $8,098; 1931 Jackie Hayes Senators game-worn road jersey - $5,530; and a 1966 Brooks Robinson Orioles signed game-used batting helmet - $5,407.
Other Memorabilia: a complete run of 1929-91 World Series press pins (126 different) - $31,129; circa 1910 Reach Co. catcher's masks tin advertising sign - $24,450; 1977 Jim "Catfish" Hunter Yankees World Series Championship player's ring - $24,450; circa 1910 Reach Co. baseball tin advertising sign - $22,226; Yankee Stadium Opening Day April 18, 1923 program - $15,786; 1895 Police Gazette "Our Baseball Heroes" lithograph - $14,678; 1905 World Series Game 5 scored program at New York - $14,351; and an 1882 Chicago Photographic Studios Cabinet Chicago N.L. Champions - $14,351.
Football: 1952 Bowman Large complete set, No. 2 on the PSA Set Registry - $45,578; Johnny Unitas late 1960s Colts game-worn and signed jersey - $43,320; Unitas circa 1969-70 Colts game-used helmet - $29,586; Ray Nitschke's 1961 Green Bay Packers championship ring - $22,796; Roosevelt Brown's 1990 New York Giants Super Bowl XXV ring - $20,789; 1952 Bowman Small high-grade complete set - $15,786; 1952 Bowman Small PSA 9 collection (14) - $15,618; 1950s "Big Daddy" Lipscomb Colts game-worn road jersey - of $14,678; early 1970s Joe Namath Jets game-worn home jersey - $12,545; 1962 Topps unopened five-cent wax box (24 packs), GAI 8.5 - $11,404; 1962 Topps Jim Brown, PSA 9 - $10,541; late 1970s Joe Greene Steelers game-worn home jersey - $9,799; and (5) 1970 Topps Football 1st Series unopened vending boxes - $9,696.
Basketball: Early 1960s Bill Russell Celtics game-worn home jersey - $56,596; George Mikan's NBA "50 Greatest Players" signed lithograph - $53,759; 1957-58 Topps PSA-graded complete set, No. 2 on the PSA Set Registry - $43,320; 1969-70 Topps PSA-graded complete set, No. 3 on the PSA Set Registry - $40,388; 1948 Bowman George Mikan rookie card, PSA 9 - $36,709; 1967-68 Wilt Chamberlain 76ers game-worn home jersey - $22,796; 1970-71 Topps PSA-graded complete set, No. 2 on the PSA Set Registry - $22,226; late 1950s Bob Cousy Celtics game-worn road jersey - $20,724; a George "Iceman" Gervin 2003 Spurs NBA Championship ring - $20,206; 1957-58 Topps PSA-graded collection (67) - $19,540; 1986-87 Fleer PSA-graded complete set, plus stickers - $19,103; and a mid-1970s Dave Cowens Celtics game-worn road jersey - $16,698.
Hockey: 1911-12 C55 complete master set, No. 1 "Master Set" on the PSA Set Registry - $39,382; 1951-52 Parkhurst PSA-graded complete set - $35,801; 1910 C56 Hockey PSA-graded complete set, No. 3 on the PSA Set Registry - $31,546; a 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee complete set, No. 1 All-Time Finest on the PSA Set Registry - $14,351; 1954-55 Topps PSA-graded complete set - $11,596; and a 1964-65 Topps "Tall Boys" PSA 8 collection (26 different) - $9,582.
Boxing: 1951 Topps Ringside PSA-graded complete set, No. 2 on the PSA Set Registry - $18,368; 1948 Leaf complete set on uncut factory sheet - $12,545; 1910 T220 Mecca "Champion Prizefighters" White Border PSA-graded complete set, No. 1 on the PSA Set Registry - $11,858; 1887 N174 Old Judge Prizefighters SGC-graded collection (9) including John L. Sullivan - $10,327; and an 1890 N310 Mayo's Cut Plug Boxers SGC-graded complete set (35) - $8,908.
Golf: 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Bobby Jones, SGC 92 - $8,098; a 1927 W.A. and A.C. Churchman "Famous Golfers PSA-graded complete set (50) - $3,691; three official PGA Tour major championships multi-signed flags plus two Tiger Woods signed Sports Illustrated covers - $2,963; and three Tiger Woods signed Upper Deck authenticated British Open flags - $2,291.
Other Sports: Sir Barton's 1919 Belmont Trophy, first Triple Crown winner - $17,126; 1887 N184 Kimball "Champions of Games and Sports" SGC-graded partial set (25/50), matched set of rare "With Ad" varieties - $10,780; 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Charles Jewtraw PSA 8 - $10,058; 1888 N162 Goodwin "Champions" SGC-graded near set (42/50) - $8,908; 1949-50 sports autograph album with baseball Hall of Famers (147 signatures total) - $8,711; and a 1933 R338 Goudey Sport Kings complete set (48) plus wrapper - $6,544.
