Auction houses Lelands and Clean Sweep merge operations, open new auctions

Longtime sports auction houses Lelands and Clean Sweep Auctions have merged operations under the Collectors First Auction Group.

According to the group, the merger will provide collectors with “an innovative and optimized, one-stop solution that maximizes the value of every item hobby collector’s wish to sell.”

Collectors First Auction Group will offer four different types of auctions a year with 12 regularly scheduled auctions offering a variety of collectibles. 

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“At Collectors First Auction Group, we believe that every piece in your collection deserves the right platform to shine,” says Steve Verkman, CEO of Collectors First Auction Group. “Our goal is to help collectors unbundle their collections, maximizing value through tailored auction solutions that bring their items to the right audience at the right time.”

Lelands and Clean Sweep are two of the most established brands in the hobby. Lelands has been holding sports auctions for 40 years, while Clean Sweep has been in business for more than 30 years. 

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Verkman, president of Clean Sweep and a long-time hobby veteran, will assume the role of CEO for Collectors First Auction Group, overseeing both the Lelands and Clean Sweep brands. Michael Heffner, president of Lelands, will act as Special Advisor to the CEO during the transition period.

Lelands and Clean Sweep will combine their expertise and resources but continue to operate individually, with no significant changes planned for either brand’s auction operations or marketing. All sports collectible experts and support personnel from both brands will continue to provide auction and client services.

“This merger represents an exciting opportunity to enhance the services both brands provide to our valued clients,” Heffner said. “By joining forces, Lelands and Clean Sweep Auctions will be able to offer even greater value and more tailored auction solutions, while maintaining the same trusted operations and marketing strategies that have served our clients so well for decades. Rest assured, our commitment to delivering exceptional auction experiences remains unchanged.”

Clean Sweep’s current auction, which closes Oct. 9, features a diverse group of vintage sports cards. Key lots include: Old Judge cards of Mike “King” Kelly and Harry Wright; a 1913 Voskamp’s Coffee Pittsburgh Pirates Honus Wagner card; a E102 Ty Cobb (PSA 2); a T206 Ty Cobb (green background, PSA 1.5); T206 Cobb (bat on shoulder, PSA 4); and a Cy Young Portrait (PSA 5). The auction also offers a wide range of vintage baseball cards, autographs, and programs, as well as high-grade modern cards, including a rare 1984 Star 101 Michael Jordan rookie card.

The Lelands 2024 Fall Classic auction offers over 1,600 lots, including collections of game-used, game-worn, and photo-matched memorabilia, along with a wide selection of vintage and modern sports cards. Key cards include: PSA 10 Honus Wagner #1/1 cut autograph; a 1948 Leaf Satchel Paige (PSA 7); and a 2020 LeBron Gold Prizm #1 (PSA MINT 9); and a 1914 Baltimore Orioles original team photo featuring Babe Ruth.