Collecting 101
Walter Johnson autographed ball tops Coach’s Corner
A Walter Johnson autographed non-official, vintage practice ball was the headliner of the 3,921-lot April Coach's Corner Sports and Celebrity Auction.
The certified ball, which sold for $4,250, was signed on the sweet spot by the legendary Washington Senators hurler and rated an 8.5.
The Beatles, always a big seller, finished second with a signed copy of their 1966 "Butcher Cover" album going for $3,413. All four members of the group signed the cover in black marker and the signatures graded between 9-10.
Meanwhile, a Babe Ruth signed Official American League baseball from the mid-1940s brought $2,888. Another similar Ruth ball of not quite the quality of the first one sold for $2,618 and a 1932 Yankees team ball with 14 player signatures and Ruth's autograph on the sweet spot went for $1,596. In addition, a fair condition Ruth ball (graded at 4.5) brought $1,295.
Other items in the auction included a Christy Mathewson signed Official Federal League baseball, which sold for $2,850, and a Lou Gehrig signed Official AL ball, autographed on the sweet spot, brought $2,681.
In addition, a signed photo of Gehrig sold for $1,313. A cut signature of baseball pioneer W. A. Hulbert brought $1,764 and one of Norman "Turkey" Stearns sold for $1,608.
Other signed baseballs included a Jimmie Foxx official league ball that brought $1,824, an Oscar Charleston signed baseball that sold for $1,768, a John Henry Lloyd signed ball brought $1,255 and a Pie Traynor signed Rawlings ball sold for $1,045. A New York Yankees Legends ball with four signatures sold for $1,005.
A Mike Schmidt signed and game-used Phillies jersey went for $1,630. Other signed jerseys of note included $1,470 for a Ted Williams Mitchell & Ness jersey, $1,119 for a Mickey Mantle Mitchell & Ness jersey and $1,000 for a Sandy Koufax signed Dodgers Mitchell & Ness jersey.
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.
- Ted Taylor
