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Rare 1909 Walter Johnson card highlights Huggins & Scott auction
Walter “Big Train” Johnson was one of the most dominant pitchers of all time, with 12 seasons of 20 or more victories, including two with more than 30. During his best season, Johnson went 36-7 with a 1.14 ERA and 11 shutouts.
Trading cards of Johnson are rare and one of the rarest is his 1909 T204 Ramly card distributed by Ramly and T.T.T. Turkish cigarettes. The 2-by-2½-inch card features a black-and-white portrait of Johnson surrounded by a gold border. According to PSA, there are only 35 known examples of the card, with the highest grade a PSA 8.
A PSA EX 5 example of the card is up for bid in the Huggins & Scott’s Fall Catalog Auction, which runs through Dec. 7.
The auction, which includes more than 1,400 lots, features several notable collections ranging from fresh-to-the-hobby rare autographs and cards to original photos.
“We’re excited to bring such a wide variety to our bidders during our final event of the year,” said Ron Oser, vice president & director of consignments at Huggins & Scott. “The great thing about this event is that we not only have a lot of premium vintage sports items, but some incredible non-sport items as well, so there’s really something for everyone.”
Among the rare collections in the auction is from Arthur “Dutch” Bergman, a halfback for Notre Dame from 1915-1916 and 1919 who played under legendary coach Knute Rockne and alongside George “The Gipper” Gipp. Bergman spent one year in the NFL, leading the Washington Redskins to the 1943 NFL Championship Game before a lengthy career as a college football coach.
His memorabilia collection, held by the Bergman family for more than 100 years, features more than a dozen rare relics, including three Notre Dame team photos and an individual photo signed by Gipp.
The Gainesville Autograph Collection features an impressive collection assembled over many years with figures from all areas of sports and non-sport, including tens of thousands of cut signatures, index cards and other mediums spanning nearly a century. The collection is highlighted by several signed trading cards, including a near-complete 1957 Topps set as well as key rookie cards of Hank Aaron and Jim Brown.
Other auction highlights include:
• A 1928 Tharp's Ice Cream #6 Babe Ruth (Throwing) (PSA GOOD 2).
• 1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth (BVG G-VG 2.5).
• 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle rookie card (PSA VG-EX 4 MC).
• 1961-62 Fleer Basketball #43 Jerry West rookie (PSA NM-MT 8).
• 1980-81 Topps Basketball unopened wax box (BBCE Wrapped).
• 1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinet #149-11 Buck Ewing with Mascot (SGC VG-EX 4, highest grade).
• 2021 Topps Transcendent Baseball Walter Johnson Cut Signature #1/1 box topper.
• Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig Dual-Signed baseball (full JSA LOA).
