Koufax Game-Used Glove Leads $3.85 Million Heritage Auction

Heritage Auction Galleries held its latest Sports Collectibles Signature Auction on April 23 and 24 at its Uptown Dallas headquarters. With spirited bidding carrying the final tally to just under $4 million, even a downturn in the economy couldn't stop bidders from participating.

“Any concerns we had about auction prices during the current economy have been laid to rest,” said Chris Ivy, director of Sports Collectibles Auctions for Heritage Auction Galleries. “These exceptional results clearly prove that Heritage can still locate the bidders willing and able to pay huge figures for quality material.”

The top spot in this auction went to a game-used fielder’s glove once belonging to Hall of Fame southpaw Sandy Koufax.

“Fewer than five fielder’s gloves have ever cleared the six-figure mark at auction,” noted Ivy, “and our Koufax gamer joined that elite club Friday with a result of $107,550.

“Josh Gibson’s 1941 Puerto Rican League contract realized $95,600,” said Ivy, “and Ernie Davis’ Syracuse jersey sold for $33,460, both world record results for memorabilia of any format related to the iconic pair.”

An astonishing result of $15,535 was paid out for an Eddie Murray game used bat, and $41,825 for a 1908 World Series program is a price unmatched by any Fall Classic program other than the 1903 version issued for the very first edition.

“We’ve got some very, very happy consignors for these lots,” Ivy noted.

The trading card portion of the auction provided no shortage of fireworks either, with collectors engaged in fierce bidding wars throughout. “Hobby standards and super-rarities both performed magnificently,” said Ivy. “Clearly our bidders are still willing to pay top dollar for top quality.”

Other highlights of the sale included:

1897 Ned Hanlon Signed Baltimore Orioles Player’s Contract - $41,825.
“This is easily the highest price ever paid for a Hanlon autograph in any format,” said Ivy.

The Finest Christy Mathewson Signed Photograph Extant - $41,825.
“Only Matty’s first Major League contract has topped this result for signed flats,” Ivy explained.

1908 Greenville Spinners Team Cabinet Photograph with Joe Jackson - $41,825.
“Our consignor insisted upon a $15,000 reserve,” said Ivy. “We were correct when we told him that we didn’t expect such a figure would be a problem.”

1971 Don Sutton Game Worn Jersey - $10,158.
“Another world record here,” said Ivy, “topping the previous high for a Sutton gamer by more than $3,000.”

1925 Hughie Jennings Handwritten Signed Letter - $9,560.
“Not even a tremendously rare single signed baseball sold in December 2006 could top this result, the highest ever registered for a Jennings autographed piece,” Ivy explained.

For more information about Heritage’s auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit our Permanent Auction Archives at www.HA.com.