ML King-signed ball, highlights Coach’s Corner Aug

A Rawlings baseball signed by Dr. Martin Luther King sold for $6,382 and was the top-selling item in the 3,825-lot August Coach's Corner Sports and Celebrity Auction.

The baseball was described as being in good condition with handling and scuffing evident. The signature is in black ink and rates a faded 6.5, but is very legible.

A Sgt. Pepper Beatles album signed by all four members on the inside in black was the second-highest seller, bringing $4,305. The item comes with COAs from three different authenticators.

A Babe Ruth sweet-spot, single-signed Official National League Ford Frick baseball was the third-highest seller bringing $3,510, while a portion of a letter signed with a closing notation by Davy Crockett, sold for $3,510.
Rounding out the top 10 items were a Josh Gibson single-signed City League baseball that brought $3,253, a Babe Ruth sweet-spot signed Harwood baseball that went for $3,104, a Humphrey Bogart signed vintage baseball that sold for $3,000, a Lou Gehrig Lane & Campbell single-signed ball that changed hands for $2,553 and a Mel Ott signed Official MacGregor ball that went for $2,215.

Other noteworthy sales included $2,084 for a Honus Wagner signed Harwood ball, $2,067 for a Roger Maris signed Louisville Slugger, $1,915 for a Ty Cobb single-signed Midwest League ball, $1,800 for a Cobb signed Reeber & McGaughey Sporting Goods baseball, $1,480 for a 1996 New York Yankees team signed bat, $1,470 for a dozen single-signed Hank Aaron Official NL baseballs, $1,458 for a Christy Mathewson signed baseball and $1,448 for a Cy Young signed Tober baseball.

Bids for all Coach's Corner Auctions are accepted online at www.myccsa.com, by phone at 215-721-9162 or by mail prior to the auction date. The complete auction listings are featured on pages 32-47 in this issue of Sports Collectors Digest.

- Ted Taylor