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1912 ticket, program from first Red Sox game at Fenway Park sells at auction

The first-ever game at Fenway Park in 1912 was a dramatic affair, with the Red Sox winning in extra innings. A ticket stub and program from the game sold for five figures at Huggins & Scott Auctions.
By SCD Staff
DEC 6, 2024
Credit: Huggins & Scott Auctions

Fittingly, the Boston Red Sox won their first-ever game at Fenway Park in extra innings against the New York Highlanders, who would soon become the Yankees.

The Red Sox won that April 20, 1912 game 7-6 on a game-winning single by AL MVP and future Hall of Famer Tris Speaker. It sparked what would be the greatest season in Red Sox history as Boston finished the regular season 105-47 (.691) and won the World Series in eight games over the New York Giants.

A rare ticket stub from the first-ever game at Fenway topped the Fall Catalog Auction at Huggins & Scott Auctions with a sale of $33,600. The ticket is one of only three known to exist. 

1912 Boston Red Sox Fenway Park ticket stub. Huggins & Scott Auctions

It was accompanied by the only known example of a scored program from that same inaugural Fenway Park game, which sold for $13,800.

Program from the first game at Fenway Park on April 20, 1912 between the Red Sox and New York Highlanders. Huggins & Scott Auctions

The auction attracted 32,000 bids and generated $2.1 million in total sales.

Among the other top sellers included a signed 1980 Charlotte O's Police Orange Border Cal Ripken Jr. minor league Rookie card (BGS 4, 10 Auto) that sold for $29,400 and a 1922 V61-1 Neilson's Chocolate (Type 1) #37 Babe Ruth (PSA 5), which sold for $23,400.

1980 Charlotte O's Police Cal Ripken Jr. Orange Auto card. Huggins & Scott Auctions
1922 Neilson's Chocolate Babe Ruth card. Huggins & Scott Auctions

Other notable results included:

1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth (PSA GOOD 2): $10,200.

“This was a great way to close out the year as we were able to generate some fantastic results on such a diverse range of items that touched every corner of the hobby,” said Ron Oser, vice president & director of consignments at Huggins & Scott. “We’re looking forward to some of the consignments that we have lined up for early 2025, along with some exciting changes we’ll be rolling out throughout the year.”

REA’s Fall Catalog Auction will run through Dec. 8. Initial bids must be placed by 9 p.m. ET. 

SCD StaffAuthor