Ted Williams
Ted Williams’ Baseball Hall of Fame ring sells for $444K to top Heritage’s Spring auction
Ted Williams had many traits that made him a an American hero and a baseball legend, from serving as a fighter pilot in two wars to being the last player to hit over .400, cementing his status as “the greatest hitter that ever lived.”
But perhaps Williams’ finest moment came during his 1966 Baseball Hall of Fame induction speech, when he advocated for Satchell Paige, Josh Gibson and other Negro League stars to be included in the sacred shrine. Williams’ speech lasted less than three minutes, but years later he declared in his “proudest moment” in baseball.
Williams’ 1966 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ring from that day exemplified the significance of the moment when it sold for $444,000 in the
May Spring Sports Catalog Auction at Heritage Auctions. The ring came in the original Balfour ring box, which came with Williams’ handwritten inscription “Hall of fame ring” and a letter of provenance from his daughter.
Williams’ Hall of Fame ring highlighted Heritage’s $17.9 million auction, which included more than 20 items that topped six figures.
Another key Williams artifact also attracted an impressive sale with a game-used bat from his 1946 AL MVP season selling for $96,000.
Another baseball legend also figured prominently in the auction as three 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards sold for $300,000 or more. An SGC 7.5 version sold for $384,000, a record for that grade, while a PSA 7 example netted $360,000. In addition, a 1952 Topps near master set of 490 cards, which included a Mantle card graded PSA 4, sold for $300,000.
Three other Mantle cards also topped six figures, with a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card (SGC 8) going for $144,000, while two other 1952 Topps Mantles sold for $144,000 (PSA 6) and a PSA 5 for $126,000. Two other ’52 Mantles, graded PSA 4 and SGC 4, both sold for $87,000.
Several other iconic vintage cards and sets also attracted big sales, including:
• A 1962 Topps Baseball unopened wax box for $288,000.
• A 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie card (SGC 1.5) for $276,000, a record for the grade.
• 1910 E98 Set of 30 Ty Cobb cards (PSA 10, Pop 3) $222,000.
• A signed copy of a 1925 Exhibit Lou Gehrig (PSA 1, Auto 8) $174,000.
• 1969 Topps Basketball complete set (ranked #6 on PSA Set Registry) $174,000.
• A signed 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson card (PSA/DNA Authentic, Auto 7) $168,000.
• A 1910 Tip Top Bread Honus Wagner (SGC 40 VG 3) $156,000.
• 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (PSA GEM MINT 10) $156,000.
• 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card (PSA 9) $120,000.
• 1952 Topps Don Johnson rookie card (PSA 10) from the Lionel Carter Collection $117,000.
• 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144 (PSA 7) $114,000.
• 1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski rookie card (PSA 6) for a record $93,000.
The auction also featured some high-selling memorabilia, led by a pair of LeBron James’ game-worn Nike Air Zoom sneakers from his 2003 rookie season for $222,000.
A game-worn, signed Stan Musial jersey from his 1957 batting championship season sold for $93,000.
