Memory Lane Conducts $1.6M Sale, Led by $60,617 Ruth Ball

A boldly signed and well-preserved Babe Ruth autographed baseball sold for $60,617, leading the way in Memory Lane Inc.’s Winter Extravaganza Auction.

More than 1,300 lots featuring rare and high-grade sports cards and memorabilia were sold for a total of nearly $1.6 million.

“The momentum from our recent I Own it Now sale really carried over to the auction,” said Memory Lane’s J.P. Cohen. “This was a tremendous way to close out 2013. The Ruth ball generated a lot of excitement but there was a lot of variety in this auction and collectors really responded.”

Signed in blue ink on the sweet spot, Ruth’s autograph adorned an official Ford Frick National League baseball dating to 1947 when the dying legend visited Shibe Park to speak to the American Legion All-Stars who were playing at Shibe Park. Graded ‘8’ overall by PSA/DNA, the ball is among the best preserved Ruth signed balls in existence.

Ironically, it was a baseball card tied to the start of a current Yankee’s legendary career that drew the second highest price. A 1993 Upper Deck SP Foil Derek Jeter Rookie Card graded PSA 10 sold for a remarkable $33,842. Of more than 10,000 graded, this card is one of only a dozen to be awarded a Gem Mint grade.

Fans of high-grade Mickey Mantle cards were drawn to two Mint "golden era" cards of The Mick. A 1958 Topps graded PSA 9 sold for $18,673, while a gorgeous ’53 Bowman Mantle went for $18,040.

A near set of high-grade cards from Topps’ first hockey set attracted strong bidding. Missing only three cards with nearly all rating a PSA 8 (NM/MT) grade, the group sold for $23,192.

Collectors of the famed T206 baseball set saw numerous high-grade cards offered, including PSA 8 examples of Jack Chesbro ($7,472) and Hughie Jennings (portrait/$6,173).

There were dozens of vintage rookie cards including a PSA 10 1968 Topps Johnny

Bench which reached $9,339, a 1957 Topps Don Drysdale PSA 9 ($7,470) and a PSA 9 Reggie Jackson from 1969 Topps ($6,173).

Unopened product remained hot with a 1972 Topps 4th Series wax box selling for $9,025 and a 1975 Topps vending box bringing $3,201.

Fans of the Big Train, Hall of Famer Walter Johnson, saw a unique lot in this auction: A multi-signed baseball with Johnson on the sweet spot and a famous 1924 statue completed by famous sculptor Ulric Dunbar. Originally presented to President Calvin Coolidge, a fan of Johnson and the Washington Senators, the 19-inch statue and ball sold for $10,273.

A rare signed ball from Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander drew numerous bids from collectors before realizing $16,982. A ball autographed by the 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers including Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider and several other Hall of Famers sold for $5,603.

Memory Lane is already taking consignments for its next I Own it Now catalog sale, which will take place later this winter and also for its Spring 2014 auction. Contact the company via their website or call 714-730-0600 to discuss consigning your high quality cards and memorabilia.