Featured Items     Lot # Description High Bid Next Bid Est. Price Range Status Sold For Price   126 Significant Warren Spahn Hall of Fame Induction ring. Handsome 10K gold ring has an image of the Hall of Fame on one side panel with "Pitcher" impressed on the nameplate. The other panel has "Warren Spahn" nameplate above crossed bats with "Elected 1973" below. The top of the ring features an inset baseball shaped decor in a black field with "Baseball Hall of Fame" raised lettering surrounding. "Balfour 10K" is stamped on the interior ring band, ring size is 10. Retains its original Balfour ring box. Includes a vintage photograph of Spahn pictured at the Otesaga Hotel porch during his 1973 Hall of Fame Induction receiving the offered ring in box. The ring itself does exhibit evident use and surface wear as Spahn was known to frequently wear the ring and as obviously demonstrated by the usage wear was extremely proud of the honor. Bottom portion of the ring band has some minor edge indentations and may have been resized. Warren Spahn's career is universally regarded as one of the most notable for any pitcher in the history of the game. His career win total of 363 ranks first for left handed pitchers and sixth overall. Selected to an incredible 17 All-Star teams, he appeared in 14 of those game which is a record for any pitcher in the 20th century. Additionally, Spahn won the 1957 Cy Young award but also finished as runner up three times during the era in which only one award was presented for both leagues. The offered ring arguably represents the most important exemplar for a pitcher to have been offered to the collecting public. Includes original Balfour typewritten letter to Spahn regarding ordering instructions and sizing chart for the ring: EX-MT $8,300.00 $9,130.00 ($25,000-$35,000) Open   137 1957 Warren Spahn Cy Young Award. Offered is the pinnacle achievement piece within the Spahn collection as awarded in recognition of his outstanding pitching accomplishments for the 1957 season. Ornate silver-plated appointments beautifully contrast against its original painted black wooden placard having raised lettering on the bottom panel, "Presented to Warren Spahn Most Valuable Pitcher 1957". Overall condition is exemplary with some expected minimal surface wear and a few scratches to the wooden plaque listing as the only mentionable defects.15" tall retaining its original L.G. Balfour & Co. metal label on the reverse. The 1957 season was the only one of Spahn's illustrious career in which he captured the Cy Young Award behind a 21-11 record, 2.69 ERA, and an impressive 18 complete games. More notably, Spahn won in 1957 and finished second in the Cy Young Award voting on three additional occasions when there was only one award for both American and National Leagues. Markedly important personal achievement award which is without question one of the most significant player exemplars to have entered the collecting marketplace: EX-MT $25,000.00 $27,500.00 ($75,000-$125,000) Open   161 Significant Warren Spahn 300th Victory trophy. Enormous figural trophy as presented to Warren Spahn in commemoration of his historic 300th Major League career win on August 11, 1961. The trophy construction consists of a vertical multi level mahogany wooden base having a large cast metal figural of Spahn in a brass finish at the top. "300" in applied brass lettering across the front with two large applied brass placards beneath. Placards are inscribed to Spahn as presented by the Braves team with the bottom placard having the complete boxscore from the game. Small framed portrait images of the Braves starting nine from the game encircle the base including Spahn, Aaron, Mathews, and Torre each having brass name placards below. Overall condition is outstanding with some expected light surface scratching to the placards and an area of wear to the brass plating on the pitcher figural at the top. There are few categories within the game of baseball that may claim a more elite status than that of the 300 win club. Only 24 players in the history of the game have achieved the milestone with Spahn ranking sixth overall with 363 wins and first among lefthanders. To measure the quality of his body of work one must also consider that among the top six winningest pitchers in Major League history Warren Spahn is the only member to have pitched in the modern era. Incredible rarity which based upon quality and related milestone must be considered among the finest individual player achievement trophies to have been offered at public auction. Includes several vintage photographs picturing Spahn accepting the award from John McHale on the field: EX $5,000.00 $5,500.00 ($15,000-$30,000) Open   240 Scarce Warren Spahn Boston Braves professional model road jersey c.1952 with photographic identification. Grey flannel road jersey dating to Warren Spahn's final season with the Boston Braves before the franchise moved to Milwaukee. Jersey retains its original "Braves" team name across the front with embroidered tomahawk patch across chest and polychrome felt Braves logo patch on left sleeve. Horace Partridge Athletic Goods (Boston) manufacturer's labeling remains affixed inside collar with "42" size flag tag and "Spahn" chain stitched strip tag. Original #21 remains on the back of the jersey. Outstanding original condition exhibiting appropriate light to moderate use while retaining beautiful display qualities with well preserved original color intact. The zipper is missing its original zipper pull. Based on comparison to a period photograph from the 1952 season within the Brearley Photographic Archive we have located an image of Spahn wearing a Boston Braves uniform that appears with a very high degree of surety to be this exact jersey. In comparisons between the jersey itself and the image, succinct characteristics can be determined inclusive of the hand stitched pattern of the Braves patch and the unique intersections of the lettering with piping and other relevant areas of the shirt. Outstanding original game jersey and one of only two surviving Warren Spahn Boston Braves jerseys that we can confirm to exist with unimpeachable primary source player provenance and high percentage photo match. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions and a copy of the photo picturing Spahn in identical if not actual jersey: EX $10,000.00 $11,000.00 ($30,000-$40,000) Open   246 Fine Warren Spahn 1958 Milwaukee Braves National League Championship ring. Original ring as presented to Spahn as a member of the vaunted 1958 NL Champion Braves who sought to repeat their 1957 title. Ornate ring is lauded as one of the more attractive championship ring designs of the 1950s era with ring top having embossed laughing Brave logo with (7) small inset diamonds of .25 carat weight. and "National League 1958 Champions" lettering encircling. Side panels each have repeating baseball shaped decor with "1958" date above. Interior ring band displays "Warren Spahn" facsimile signature which has a very small area of loss due to ring re-sizing. Marked "Balfour 14K", ring size is 13. Spahn's 1958 season ranks as one of the finest of his Hall of Fame career posting a regular season record of 22-11 with an amazing 290 innings pitched finishing second in the Cy Young Award voting. His success continued into the postseason with a record of 2-1 in the 1958 World Series: EX-MT $6,700.00 $7,370.00 ($20,000-$40,000) Open   472 Tom Seaver New York Mets professional model warm-up jacket c.1970s. With the addition of Tom Seaver to the New York Mets roster for his 1967 Rookie of the Year season, the team began a turn around which would take them from perennial cellar dwellers to a World Series Championship in 1969. He would spend just over (10) years in the Big Apple and by time of departure in 1977 had become perhaps the greatest pitcher in Mets history. He remains the franchise all-time leader in wins with his jersey number (41) retired. Fine quality jacket with body constructed on heavy blue satin finish material accented with orange and blue trim. Interlocking "NY" logo patch appears on front chest and the team's skyline logo patch is on left sleeve. Also on left sleeve is Seaver's number "41" in orange numbers. "Aladen" manufacturer's tag in collar has adjacent size "46" flag tag. Signed on the front, "Tom Seaver" in silver paint pen rating 8 to 9 out of 10. Evident usage wear throughout with some scattered pulling/spotting to material. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions (jacket) and auction LOA from JSA (auto): EX $5,000.00 $5,500.00 ($15,000-$20,000) Open   474 1971 Gil Hodges New York Mets professional model home Manager's jersey. Gil Hodges took over the reigns of a struggling New York Mets club in 1968 and lead them to a 9th place finish in the National League. Under normal circumstances this would be no notable feat, however the Mets, in their short existence to that point, had redefined poor play, not once finishing a season in anything better than dead last place. In 1969 he did what most thought was unthinkable piloting the "Miracle Mets" to a World Series Championship and he would remain at the helm for another two seasons. Pinstriped home flannel jersey has "Mets" team name lettered across the front in scripted logo font with number "14" below. Number also appears on back and a Mets skyline logo patch is present on left sleeve. "Spalding Professional" manufacturer's tag on front tail with adjacent size "46" and year "71" tags. Embroidered strip tag in collar reads "14 46 Set 1 71" denoting player, size, set number, and year, respectively. Jersey displays evident usage wear but remains exceptionally well preserved overall. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions: EX $5,000.00 $5,500.00 ($15,000-$20,000) Open   475 Casey Stengel New York Mets professional model road Manager's jersey c.1962-1965. Having pieced together one of the great 20th Century Managerial careers as skipper of the New York Yankees, Casey Stengel was set to retire at close of the 1960 season with (10) League titles and (7) World Series Championships to his credit. As fate would have it the National League expanded in 1962 and the newly formed New York Mets had cobbled together an assemblage of questionable talent who displayed nothing but a dire need of leadership. A beloved New York icon, Stengel was the perfect fit and signed on for the inaugural season bringing his quick wit and considerable skill. The club went on to post a dismal 40-120 record and would continue in kind, never once fairing better than a last place finish in each of his (4) seasons but the fans still came in droves. "Come see my Amazin Mets" he said "see new ways to lose I never knew existed before." Important and highly desirable all original flannel jersey is tagged as made for the 1962 season and was later prepared for use in 1964. Few jerseys can be attributed to such a significant span of time in a Hall of Fame career. Gray flannel jersey with "New York" team name lettered across the front in block letter stylized font has the number "37" on back. "Wilson" manufacturer's tag appears on front tail with the size "44" and an embroidered strip tag in the collar reads "37-1962" denoting player number and year. On the left sleeve is a period original New York Mets skyline logo patch. Right sleeve has the "New York World's Fair" patch which was worn by the team in both 1964 and 1965. Jersey displays light/moderate evident usage and wash wear but remains exceptionally well preserved. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions: EX $13,300.00 $14,630.00 ($40,000-$60,000) Open   482 Fine Mickey Mantle autographed 1959 All-Star Game professional model bat. Adirondack brand baseball bat measures 35.5" long and weighs 31.4oz. "Mantle" is block lettered into the barrel end beside "1959 All-Star" marking as prepared for his use in the mid-summer classic. Model number "113A" is stamped in the knob. Strong usage wear is evident throughout with a touch of grain swelling from repeated contact along with ball, cleat, and several rack marks scattered about the barrel. On the reverse, over area where darker finish handle meets blond barrel, there is a diminutive vintage ink signature reading, "To Brad, Best Wishes, Mickey Mantle." The signature has largely faded from view but does serve the extremely desirable purpose of placing this bat directly in Mantle's hands in the period; a trait very few pieces related to a player of his caliber can offer. Hitting for both average and power through all of his (18) seasons in baseball Mickey Mantle established himself as one of the games' greatest sluggers. He was named Most Valuable Player of the American League (3) times, won the Triple Crown in 1956, and played on (7) Championship teams. In total Mantle enjoyed (20) All-Star Game appearances, a feat topped only by Aaron, Musial, and Mays. Statistics aside, there is a lore which surrounds his name that few others can conjure up. Intangibles which can not be charted in box scores or accounted for in the myriad of other ways ability is measured. Outstanding rarity which having been signed in the period places this exemplar within the top echelon of Mantle game bats of its type. Includes LOAs from PSA/DNA (Graded PSA/DNA GU-8.5) (bat), Hunt Auctions (bat), and auction LOA from JSA (autograph): EX $16,700.00 $18,370.00 ($50,000-$75,000) Open   495 1954 Gil Hodges Brooklyn Dodgers professional model home jersey. Cream colored flannel jersey has "Dodgers" team name lettered across the front in classic scripted logo font. Player number "14" appears below and on back. Appropriate "Rawlings Hall of Fame Flannel" manufacturer's tag in the collar with adjacent size "44" tag. "G Hodges" is embroidered in the front tail in blue chain stitch. Wash tag on interior has affixed "Set 1 1954" flag tag. Jersey displays evident usage and wash wear throughout with light even toning and pilling. Hodges ranked as a core member of the Dodgers who some referred to as the -Boys of Summer+. Over a decade of play in Brooklyn, mostly spent at first base, he was voted an All-Star (8) times and contributed several key hits in the Dodgers 1955 World Series Championship. Factoring his additional playing time with the Dodgers in Los Angeles and later the Mets in New York he accumulated (3) Gold Gloves and played on two additional Championship teams. Held in the highest of regard by teammates and fans alike, for many Hodges has come to symbolize the aura which surrounds the legend of Brooklyn Dodger baseball. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions: EX $5,000.00 $5,500.00 ($15,000-$20,000) Open   500 Roy Campanella Brooklyn Dodgers warm up jacket c.1950's. Classic style done in satin finish royal blue retains original "Dodgers" team name across the front in scripted logo font. Campanella's number "39" appears on left sleeve just above the cuff. Interior remains intact and clean with original "Skinner Sporting Goods" tag at collar and adjacent size "46" flag tag. Displays appropriate usage wear with a hint of mild toning and typical/expected touch of fraying at areas. Otherwise, the jacket remains well preserved and is free of any major scuff, holes, or notable imperfections. One of the finest documented player worn jackets to surface having originally been offered as part of our April 2003 sale on behalf of the Campanella family. Extremely rare offering of a period all original example and within the upper echelon of important Dodgers jackets known to exist. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions and letter of provenance from the Campanella Family: EX $10,000.00 $11,000.00 ($30,000-$40,000) Open   537 Scarce "Momen" Roberto Clemente rookie era professional model baseball bat c.1955. Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 35" long and weighs 32.6oz. Model #S2 stamped on knob end with evident use including ball marks, stitching impressions, and appropriate grain swelling to the barrel end. The bat finish has had some professional restoration to the surface which had dried from age and presents beautifully with a honey brown patination. Rare and desirable "Momen Clemente" facsimile signature stamping on the barrel end as seen on Clemente's early career era game bats. It is widely recognized that this nickname of "Momen" was derived from the Spanish word "momenito" which meant to "wait a second" and was used frequently by Clemente as a youth. After the 1960 season Clemente switched his bat stampings to the traditional "Roberto" first name variant. The earlier "Momen" stamped bats are markedly rare and equally desirable dating to the earlier portion of his playing career. Very fine Clemente game bat is only the second of its type that we have offered at auction in our twenty year company history. Includes LOAs from Hunt Auctions and PSA/DNA John Taube. Graded PSA/DNA GU8: EX $10,000.00 $11,000.00 ($30,000-$40,000) Open   598 Important Ted Williams Boston Red Sox professional model road jersey c.1946-1948 with related material. Ability: The capacity to do something; Talent that enables someone to achieve a great deal. Focus: The center of interest or activity. Determination: Firmness of purpose; Resoluteness. The process of establishing something exactly, typically by calculation or research. From an early age Ted Williams sought only to accomplish one goal in life; become the greatest hitter who ever lived. Uncommon natural ability combined with incredible focus and determination arguably allowed him to attain just that. Universally regarded as one of the greatest students of hitting that the game has ever known he is as revered today as he was at any point during his (19) years in baseball. Growing up in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego, Williams was just (8) years old when introduced by his Uncle, a former semi-pro player, to baseball. A star by high school he was tendered offers by at least two Major League teams before graduation but at the behest of his mother remained on the West Coast. At 17 years of age he signed on with the San Diego Padres, Pacific Coast League team. By 1947, then a full time roster player, he caught the eye of Boston Red Sox GM Eddie Collins. "It wasn't hard to find Ted Williams" Collins said, "He stood out like a brown cow in a field of white cows." A brash young Williams arrived at Spring Training for the 1948 season 12 days late and was ultimately sent down to the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate Minneapolis Millers where he won the American Association Triple Crown. Not even 20 years old he hit .366 with 43 home runs, and 142 RBIs. The following year, in his Rookie season with the Red Sox, he played at the same level and was declared by none other than Babe Ruth, in the days before a formal award was presented, to be -Rookie of The Year.+ It was a sign of things to come. During the three seasons which followed Williams put up a diz $71,269.00 $78,396.00 ($100,000-$200,000) Open   621 Rare and exceptional Ty Cobb professional model baseball bat as gifted to Detroit Postmaster William Nagel c.1916-1918. Outstanding specimen is one of the earliest dating period Cobb game bats having sourced provenance to have entered the marketplace. Louisville Slugger double dash dot dash model bat measures 34.5" long and weighs 36.9oz. Hillerich & Bradsby centerbrand stampings present very boldly along with "Ty Cobb" facsimile signature stamp on barrel end. The bat displays strong evident use including ball marks, stitching impressions, green and blue bat rack marks, and cleat impressions. The overall condition of the bat itself is wonderfully original retaining fine surface and honey colored brown patina. William J. Nagel was born in 1873 in Detroit where he would later serve in several official city positions inclusive of Deputy City Controller (1909-1910) and later as Postmaster for the city beginning in 1913. Nagel was a versatile athlete and avid sports fan beginning with his high school and college days listing baseball as his preferred game of choice. Through his various governmental positions Nagel was afforded the opportunity to befriend members of the Detroit Tigers baseball team over many years. As documented by several periodicals and reference volumes of the period, Bill Nagel was a consistent figure at Detroit Tigers home games and practices often times throwing batting practice to the players. In particular, it is further evidenced that Nagel was one of the favored batting practice pitchers for Ty Cobb. As referenced in a period newspaper article for the Detroit News by George W. Stark, "In the Hughie Jennings era, he (Nagel) had the freedom of Old Bennett Park and later of Navin Field. There his first friend was Ty Cobb who spent hours every day sharpening his batting eye at the expense of Bill's pitches. He always said Cobb wore out his throwing arm and destroyed the potential of a big league career." Further corroboration of Nagel's relatio $25,000.00 $27,500.00 ($75,000-$125,000) Open   628 Scarce Jim Thorpe professional model baseball bat c.1922. Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 35 1/2" long and weighs 39.8oz with "Jim Thorpe" facsimile signature stamping on the barrel end. Bat has excellent usage wear including ball markings on barrel, grain swelling on back of barrel, and cleat marks at end of barrel. Overall eye appeal is very strong presenting beautifully with light brown color and finish. Handle crack has been professionally restored as well as some surface restoration to the barrel end. Thorpe was signed by John McGraw of the New York Giants in 1913 shortly after dominating the 1912 Olympics but had to return his gold medals due to a semi-professional baseball contract that he had signed before the games. Mainly a gate attraction, Thorpe fared moderately well for a six year Major League career but did manage to bat over .300 in the last two years of his career. The importance of Thorpe to American sports cannot be overstated especially noting his success even in the face of significant social hurdles of the era such as his American Indian heritage. This particular bat is one of only two known Jim Thorpe professional model examples from Thorpe's short lived professional career and dating specifically to his 1922 season played with the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League. The offered example was recently discovered on the West Coast with some other PCL related materials. The bat is consistent with the other known Thorpe example and Hillerich & Bradsby factory records. Exceedingly rare game bat with relation to the greatest pure athlete in sports history. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions: EX $6,700.00 $7,370.00 ($20,000-$40,000) Open   629 Unique 1921 World Series presentational pocketwatch. For a number of reasons, early championship jewelry is exceedingly rare. The custom of awarding a ring to participating championship team members did not begin until instituted by the Giants following their second consecutive World Series victory in 1922. In the years prior there were a variety of pins, pendants, and other such trinkets awarded on occasion and though they infrequently find their way into the marketplace, a good number have been lost to time. In 1921, Giants team members were presented with a diminutive lapel pin/pendant; the Yankees did not receive anything. To the best of our knowledge the offered pocket watch represents the only substantive presentational piece with relation to the 1921 World Series to have surfaced. The watch was given to George Perry, a long time executive with the Yankees and a close friend and confidant of team owner Jacob Ruppert. It is unknown exactly what prompted the gift but it can be presumed that he was instrumental in coordinating events surrounding the games on behalf of both teams who were then sharing the Polo Grounds. The Friday, November 18, 1921 issue of Variety Magazine has a small blurb which mentions -a unique present+ given specifically to Perry with the watch described and notes that, -it is the only in existence.+ Interior movement, marked "Concord W. Co. 17 Jewels", is housed in "18K White Gold" marked Solidarity brand case. Affixed to the enclosure is a blue enameled interlocking -NY+ logo which has "Giants" and "Yankees" team name lettered on opposite sides. Impressed titling around the edge reads in full, "From Giants and Yankees To George Perry In Appreciation - World Series, New York - 1921." Condition remains strong with light toning to front face (one arm, upper, has been replaced) a touch of incidental wear visible when displayed. Several small nicks which are generally hidden from view are the result of force applied to open the backing. These a $6,700.00 $7,370.00 ($20,000-$30,000) Open   640 Superb Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat c.1925-1927. Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 36" long and weighs a shade under 41oz. The bat remains in fine original uncracked condition with exemplary use characteristics including ball marks, grain swelling, and scored handle area. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. centerbrand label and George "Babe" Ruth facsimile signature stampings remain very bold. Rich brown surface displays handsomely with fine general patination. One small area of indentation on the barrel end has been professionally restored and is mentioned for accuracy only. As referenced in the header for this particular grouping of items from the Ted Leaper collection the offered specimen is the lone surviving example from the twenty or so Ruth game bats originally presented to 12 year old young man in 1958. Offerings of previously unknown Babe Ruth game bats with primary sourced provenance have become notably infrequent with premium examples, such as the offered bat, often commanding record pricing at auction. Cornerstone piece for the discerning collector who properly values directly sourced materials with relation to an American sports icon. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions and letter of provenance from the Leaper family descendant: EX $25,000.00 $27,500.00 ($75,000-$125,000) Open   646 Fine Babe Ruth single signed baseball c.1947. Cream colored Reach W.Harridge Official American League baseball has been signed across the sweet spot, "Babe Ruth." Blue ink signature rates 8 out of 10 with a touch of skipping. Ball displays an even cream coloration with several small surface imperfections/impressions and faded stampings. Offered for the first time publicly and includes small (later period) handwritten on note detailing that it was signed on July 28, 1947 at an American Legion game in Philadelphia. Then a spokesman for the Ford Motor Company, Ruth embarked on a National tour on their behalf with stops across the country. Includes auction LOA from JSA: EX/MT-NM $5,000.00 $5,500.00 ($15,000-$20,000) Open   647 Fine Babe Ruth autographed signature model baseball bat c.1930s. Louisville Slugger 125 model baseball bat has been signed at mid barrel, "Babe Ruth" in period fountain pen rating a strong 8 out of 10. The autograph is ideally positioned for display between deeply impressed centerbrand and "George Babe Ruth" facsimile signature manufacturer's stampings. Knob has "35" inch marking. Generally well preserved with a touch of light scattered surface wear which is somewhat more accentuated toward barrel end inclusive of some small divots/impressions. For accuracy, we note a few stray light ink marks/handwriting (later period, unknown hand) which are not visible when positioned for display. Extremely strong example being one of the better Ruth signed store model bats we have handled with particular note to use of professional quality wood stock in the manufacturing process (denoted by "125" in centerbrand) and signature strength/positioning. Includes auction LOA from JSA: Bat EX/MT, Sig. NM $8,107.00 $8,918.00 ($20,000-$30,000) Open   693 Torrey Pines Major League Baseball Players Trust golf tournament package. Join dozens of current and former baseball players at the majestic Torrey Pines, one of the finest golf courses in America, for a day that combines baseball, golf and extraordinary cuisine. Enjoy mingling with a "Who's Who" list of current and former Major Leaguers -- including Hall of Famers -- during exclusive social activities before and after a round of golf, including pairings party, comedy night and awards luncheon. The package that is being offered is for a foursome to participate in all of the events that are associated with The Major League Baseball Players Trust annual Golf Tournament in La Jolla, California, along with two nights of accommodations at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, (www.lodgetorreypines.com) a five diamond resort. Transportation will not be provided. This one-of-a-kind experience that takes place at the spectacular and internationally renowned Torrey Pines (home of the 2008 US Open) and prestigious Del Mar Country Club on January 8th - 10th. All proceeds will benefit The Major League Baseball Players Trust, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created by Major Leaguers to help those less fortunate by facilitating players' efforts to volunteer in support of causes close to their hearts and encouraging others to do the same. Through the Players Trust, Major Leaguers contribute their time, money and celebrity to call attention to important issues affecting those in need and to help encourage others to get involved in their own communities. Programs such as Buses for Baseball, City Clinics, the Players Choice Awards and the Trust's signature initiative, the Action Team national youth volunteer program, administered in partnership with Volunteers of America, are all funded by the Players Trust, Major Leaguers, and through generous contributions from caring individuals and corporations. Please contact Tara Milia at tara@huntauctions.com for any further questions or $800.00 $880.00 ($15,000-$20,000) Open   694 Ken Griffey Jr. custom designed motorcycle with Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame Induction experience to benefit the Florida Hospital Foundation. Unique custom made 2008 Suzuki C109R motorcycle having a grouping of elite 600 Home Run Club Member autographed baseballs encased within the chassis. The motorcycle was custom made by Nick Anglada Originals, Inc. having been signed on the fender by Ken Griffey Jr. with (8) autographed baseballs encased in clear paneled body sections of the cycle. Baseballs include: Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Jim Thome, Alex Rodriguez, Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds, and Babe Ruth. The baseballs are each single signed with the exception of the Ruth ball which has been signed by the Babe across the sweet spot of an official AL ball having autographs of several New York Yankees and Philadelphia Athletics. Ruth signature rates 7/8 on the sweet spot with other players including Lou Gehrig, Connie Mack, Jimmie Foxx, and Mickey Cochrane. The motorcycle itself exhibits numerous custom features which are listed in detail on our website description. This unique bike is being offered directly by Ken Griffey Jr. to raise funds for the Florida Hospital Foundation. As part of the offering, this lot will include an experience package to attend the induction of Ken Griffey Jr. into the Seattle Mariners Hall of Fame inclusive of VIP reception and luncheon. The events will take place at Safeco Field in Seattle on Friday, August 9, 2013 and will include admittance for two guests (travel and accommodations not included). Very fine custom motorcycle along with VIP Mariners Hall of Fame experience the proceeds of which will be going to a noble cause. Please view the online description for expanded details or call Hunt Auctions for further questions. $8,300.00 $9,130.00 ($25,000-$50,000) Open   705 1978 Thurman Munson New York Yankees professional model road jersey. Road gray jersey with "New York" lettered across the front in block letter font has player number "15" on back. "Wilson" manufacturer's tag on left front tail lists the size "44" and a chain stitch embroidered "Munson 78 1" strip tag in the collar denotes player name, year, and set number, respectively. Very strong usage wear is evident throughout including heavy wash wear/puckering to the #15 on the back and appropriate age toning to the surface area. The shoulder areas each have light fraying indicative of where shoulder straps would have made contact. Team name on front has been expertly replaced, likely done in the period and by the team. Fine quality jersey as relates to a beloved New York icon. Includes LOA from Hunt Auctions: EX $6,700.00 $7,370.00 ($20,000-$30,000) Open   709 Chris Chambliss professional model bat used to hit the 1976 American League Championship Series Game #5 Walk Off Home Run. Louisville Slugger 125 model bat measures 35" long and weighs 32.8oz. The bat displays very fine evident use inclusive of slight grain swelling on the back of the barrel from repeated ball contact as well as ball marks, stitching impressions, and blue bat rack marks. The handle remains uncracked with a light coat of pine tar. Vintage "10" written in black marker on the end of the knob. Barrel end of the bat displays Chambliss' facsimile signature stamping along with model #C284 as well as the desirable 1976 Bi Centennial Liberty Bell logo stamping. Thankfully, amidst the chaos on the field after the home run Yankees third baseman Greg Nettles secured the bat and gave it to Chambliss once in the locker room. Included with the bat is a 16"x20" photograph of Chambliss taken right after the ball was hit holding the offered bat. The image provides a direct photo match based on numerous points of reference inclusive of barrel grain comparison and the "witches peak" area of the pine tar residue. The bat is accompanied by a full LOA from PSA/DNA rendering a final grade of a perfect PSA/DNA GU 10. Along with Bill Mazeroski's 1960 World Series home run, Joe Carter's 1993 World Series walk off home run, and Kirk Gibson's 1988 World Series game winning home run, the Chambliss 1976 ALCS home run event must be considered among the most significant in the history of Major League postseason baseball. It is with that sentiment that we present one of the most significant game used baseball bats to have been offered at public auction. Includes notarized letter of provenance from Chris Chambliss confirming use of this particular bat to hit the 1976 ALCS Walk Off Home Run: EX-EX/MT $10,000.00 $11,000.00 (Estimate Upon Request) Open   710 1976 ALCS Home Run Baseball hit by Chris Chambliss. Light to moderately soiled Lee MacPhail American League ball hit by Chambliss to win the 1976 American League Championship Series. Ball displays appropriate Spalding manufacturer stampings below the sweet spot with MacPhail facsimile signature stamping above. Evident use is visible throughout the ball including an area on one side panel which appears to display an impression likely caused by either hitting the bat or upon its landing over the right field fence. Inscribed on side panel by Chambliss in black flair pen, "1976 Playoff Home Run Ball Oct 14, 1976 Royals vs. Yanks". Unlike jerseys or bats which were used by players during significant baseball milestone moments, it is the baseballs themselves which are all too often lost to history. This is especially prevalent with milestones that occurred before the era of collecting beginning in the 1980s as fans and collectors alike began better preserving and documenting related items. Fortunately, in the case of the Chambliss home run the ball landed just beyond the right field fence and before the seating area where there was an assembly of stadium security and police due to the previous unruly fan activity and in preparation for any Yankees win celebration. As evidenced on numerous videos from the period a uniformed policeman reaches down to retrieve the ball itself who later presented it to Chris Chambliss. As referenced in the catalogue preface for the bat and ball as well in the description for the Chambliss home run bat, this particular home run ranks as one of the greatest moments in the history of Major League postseason play. The ball itself represents one of the scant few examples of its type to have originated from a primary source. Additionally, this home run baseball presents as one of the most significant in the history of the New York Yankees franchise and their unparalleled legacy within the game of baseball. Truly unique and highly important piece $10,000.00 $11,000.00 (Estimate Upon Request) Open   813 Important "Play Ball" movie poster featuring Babe Ruth c.1932. The years following World War I brought great social and technological change to America. Automobiles and trucks were in mass production and the population was on the move like never before. Suburban life was booming. As livable geographical area spread updated radio networks allowed for city dwellers and rural farmers alike to keep abreast of the goings on. An advertising executive in Manhattan could listen to the same broadcast as a coal miner in Pittsburgh and a farmer's son in Ohio. Although television would not be widely available on a commercial basis until the late 1920s, the staple of nearly every small town in American was their theater. The populous turned out in droves, most attending at least once a week, to watch live performances, view newsreels, and see the latest movies. It is said that although most Americans could not name their politicians, nearly all knew leading actors and actresses. Noted at the time as the "largest and most magnificent theater between New York and Buffalo", Keeney's Theater in Elmira, NY opened on December 21, 1925. Ownership spared no expense appointing the venue in grand period decor with large murals and gold leaf accents. A capacity crowd of 2,500 could settle in to enjoy vaudeville acts, silent films, and later "talkies." So noble were the accommodations that the building stands to this day. Babe Ruth burst onto the baseball scene in the early 1920s displaying a prowess at the plate which had never been seen. A larger than life figure both on and off the field, in short order Ruth was an idol to millions. Following the 1919 World Series the game had been rocked by scandal leaving a good many fans disillusioned and Ruth alone gave them reason to come back. A new stadium was built in the Bronx to house those who ventured out to see him play and when on the road he filled stadiums to capacity. In an era when -fame+ was a relatively new concept, his ne $33,300.00 $36,630.00 ($100,000-$200,000) Open   817 Fine Lou Gehrig "Merry Christmas" single signed baseball c.1930s. Reach W.Harridge Official American League baseball has been signed on the side panel, "Merry Christmas to Tommy, Lou Gehrig." Vintage fountain pen signature rates 6/7 out of 10 and has very slightly faded below a coat of shellac applied long ago to aid in preservation. Ball otherwise displays a light even cream coloration with a touch of minute wear mentioned purely for accuracy. With note to the rarity of Gehrig single signed baseballs and further desirability added by the "Merry Christmas" sentiment, we offer this representation as one of a select grouping of upper tier examples which we have brought to auction. Includes full LOA from JSA and typewritten statement relaying history: Overall EX/MT $5,000.00 $5,500.00 ($15,000-$25,000) Open   818 Exceptional Babe Ruth autographed professional model baseball bat c.1921-1931. Louisville Slugger 125 model standard finish ash baseball bat measuring a touch under 35" long weighs an imposing 37.9oz. Bat retains well defined "George Babe Ruth" impressed facsimile signature stamping in the barrel end with centerbrand displaying the 1921-31 labeling period. Outstanding usage wear is evident with what can be considered (quoting from PSA documentation) "excellent Ruth characteristics, namely a well defined hitting zone on the left barrel." This coincides with many images of Ruth taken in the period which show his left handed stance with bat held so that the stampings faced away from his person. This grip resulted in the ball striking the left hand side of barrel upon contact. Additional ball marks can found on the back barrel and there are cleat marks throughout. A slight handle crack has been professionally repaired and it appears that other restoration work has been accomplished (sparingly and tastefully) at a few other surface areas inclusive of the barrel end. "Babe Ruth" fountain pen signature on reverse barrel (rating 7 to 7/8 out of 10) is not only an extremely desirable trait in a Ruth game bat but further serves to place the bat literally "in his hands." Though his entire (22) year playing career stands as one the most celebrated and storied in American sports, the 1920s can certainly be considered the span in which Babe Ruth cemented his indelible mark upon the game of baseball. Displaying unprecedented abilities to hit the ball with power the likes of which had not previously been seen, Ruth captivated the American public and single handedly ushered in the era of the home run. No other figure in the history of our National Pastime has had so dramatic and lasting an influence. During our twenty year company history we have been privileged to handle a number of top quality Ruth game bats with a very select few having the distinction of bearing his original aut $33,300.00 $36,630.00 ($100,000-$150,000) Open   819 Babe Ruth single signed baseball c.1940s. Reach W.Harridge Official American League baseball has been signed boldy across the sweet spot, "Babe Ruth." Signature rates a strong 8/9 out of 10. Ball displays light even toning and remains quite clean overall with a small blemish to upper panel and a hint of other light wear (mentioned for accuracy). Includes auction LOA from JSA: Overall EX/MT $5,000.00 $5,500.00 ($15,000-$20,000) Open   825 Babe Ruth autographed baseball attributed to his 701st Home Run. On July 14, 1934 Cornelia Gaines travelled to work at Detroit's Navin Field at Michigan and Trumbull. Gaines was employed as the head of concessions at the Tigers home stadium. The previous game on July 13th between the Yankees and Tigers had drawn national interest as Babe Ruth belted his historic 700th career home run. Cornelia Gaines had been working during that historic game as well and bore witness to Babe Ruth himself seeking out the individual who caught the record baseball. As reported by the "Detroit News" newspaper in the period, Ruth shouted to Yankees third base coach Art Fletcher , "Get that ball Art. I gotta get that ball !" as he rounded the bases after hitting the home run. Subsequently, Ruth happily paid young Lennie Beals $20 for the treasured baseball which he had retrieved after sailing over the right field fence of Navin Field onto Trumbull Ave. Ruth was later pictured with Beals after the game and remarked, "I didn't want to lose my 700th ball." The following day the Yankees battled the Tigers once again in competition for the AL pennant with the Detroit club outlasting the Yanks by a final score of 12 to 11. In the top of the fourth inning Babe Ruth hit his 701st home run off of Tigers pitcher Elden Auker. As recalled by Auker he tried to come inside on Ruth+s hands and missed allowing the Babe to blast the ball into the stands for #701. According to family history as recounted by Cornelia Gaines she sought out a young man who had retrieved the home run ball and, in similar fashion as Babe Ruth had done just one day earlier, presented the young man with $20 in exchange for the baseball to which he obliged. After the game Ms. Gaines was escorted by the groundskeeper to the locker room to meet Babe Ruth where he autographed the aforementioned baseball. The ball itself is William Harridge American League ball having blue stampings on the sweet spot of a red stitched ball appropriate $16,700.00 $18,370.00 ($50,000-$100,000) Open   826 Remarkable Babe Ruth single signed baseball c.early 1920s. Red and blue stitched Reach B.Johnson Official American League baseball has been signed across the sweet spot, "Babe Ruth" in fountain pen rating 7/8 to 8 out of 10. Ball displays even toning and a touch of light scattered wear. Important example can be dated through both signature style employed and era of baseball manufacture to the earliest period of Ruth's storied career with the Yankees. The rarity of quality examples attributed to these formative years can not be overstated with this being one of only a handful we have sold in nearly (20) years. Includes full LOA from JSA: Ball EX. Sig. EX/MT-NM $6,111.00 $6,722.00 ($15,000-$20,000) Open