Tom Brady rookie card, game-worn Mel Ott jersey top Lelands Fall Auction

The NFL’s greatest quarterback and one of the biggest baseball stars of the 1930s and ’40s were the stars of the Lelands 2021 Fall Classic Auction. 

A Tom Brady rookie card sold for $900,000 in the auction, which closed on Dec. 11. The 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket #144 Rookie Autograph, the “Holy Grail” of Brady cards and one of the hottest cards in hobby history, has an autograph grade of 9 and a NM-MT 8 grade.

The second-highest selling item in the auction was an impressive 1931 Mel Ott New York Giants game-worn, photo-matched jersey that sold for $387,000. Fewer than five jerseys worn by the Hall of Fame slugger have survived and been offered for public sale. It is the first-ever photo-matched Ott jersey.

Two other Brady cards also drew top dollar, including a 2000 Fleer Showcase Legacy #136 Tom Brady Rookie 13/20 BGS NM-MT 8 that sold for $157,000. A 2000 Leaf Certified Mirror Gold #207 Tom Brady Rookie 23/35 BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 attracted $90,000.

Brady wasn’t the only active or legendary quarterback whose football cards attracted big prices. Additional auction highlights included:

• A 2020 National Treasure Stars & Stripes #158 Justin Herbert RPA Rookie Patch Autograph 09/20 BGS Mint 9 — Auto 10, $123,000.

• A 2003-04 SP Signature “Famous Nicknames” #FNLJ3 LeBron James “The Chosen 1” Rookie Autograph 19/25 BGS Gem Mint 9.5 – Auto 10, $106,000.

• A 1985 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente-signed Rookie PSA Authentic, $77,000.

• A 2020 National Treasures Green Jersey Number #156 Joe Burrow RPA Rookie Patch Autograph 8/9 BGS Gem Mint 9.5 – Auto 10, $76,000.

• A 2018 National Treasures Patch Autograph #163 Josh Allen RPA Rookie Patch Autograph 08/99 PSA Gem Mint 10, $70,000.

• A 1981 Topps Football #216 Joe Montana Rookie Card PSA Gem MT 10, $66,000.

• A 2019 National Treasures Stars & Stripes 161 Kyler Murray RPA Rookie Logo Patch Autograph 02/20 BGS Mint 9 — Auto 10, $48,000.

• A 1958 Alifabolaget #635 Pele Rookie PSA VG 3, $58,000.

Lelands consignment deadline for its next auction is Jan. 16.