Heritage, Pristine Will Showcase Iconic Pieces
Editor’s note: This is the ninth story in a series to help collectors prepare for the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, which will be held in Cleveland from July 24 to 28. We will introduce a new topic each week leading up to the show.
This week, we check in with two of the industry’s largest auction houses to see what they have on tap to feature at this year’s National. Don’t miss next week’s story, where we discuss what the atmosphere and crowd could be like at this year’s show.
The National Sports Collectors Convention is always loaded with so many impressive pieces. At times, it’s almost hard to process.
The museum-quality displays set up by auction houses bring the most heat each year.
Collectors can walk around and gawk—maybe even drool—over some fascinating, one-of-a-kind items valued at six, seven, and even eight figures. It is mind-blowing to see in person historical pieces relating to iconic athletes such as Babe Ruth, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and Michael Jordan. While walking the National show floor, make sure there is plenty of memory available on your phone because photos are a must.
Topps RIPPED checked in with two of the largest auction houses — Heritage Auctions and Pristine Auction — to see their on-site plans for The National.
A rare Shoeless Joe Jackson game-used bat from 1911 will also be a big draw for collectors at The National.
This Jackie Robinson game-worn Brooklyn Dodgers jersey from 1951 is one of the magnificent pieces Heritage Auction will have on display at The National.
The Babe Invades Heritage
Two years ago, when The National was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Heritage Auctions stole the show with its consignment of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded SGC 9.5. When the auction ended after the show, The Mick sold for a record $12.6 million. It became the first sports collectible to sell at auction for eight figures in the industry’s storied history.
Heritage is planning to one-up itself at this year’s National with its Summer Platinum Sports Auction, said Joe Orlando, executive vice president of sports at Heritage Auctions.
“As terrific as our displays have been in the past, we have no doubt that this one will surpass every previous effort,” Orlando said.
The piece that will garner the most attention — and rightfully so — will be Ruth’s jersey from his famous “Called Shot” in the 1932 World Series. The photo-matched item is going to fetch a Ruth-sized fortune.
“I can’t imagine a collectible that encapsulates or embodies the player and the personality of this icon better than this jersey,” Orlando said. “Of all the great moments in Ruth’s career, this is arguably the most representative of the legend.”
Heritage will have other vintage flannels on display, including elite examples of Jackie Robinson, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Hank Aaron, and Mantle.
Heritage will also have a wide array of game-used bats.
“From an extraordinary rarity in Shoeless Joe Jackson, the only factory-documented bat from his Major League career, to one of the finest overall Ted Williams bats a collector will ever see, photo-matched to the final stretch of his career, the legendary lumber further complements the spectacular shirts,” Orlando said.
A pair of Jordan 1 Mid Reverse Bred basketball shoes signed by Jordan will be one of the featured items on display by Pristine Auction l
An official game ball from the 1998 NBA All-Star Game signed by 32 players, including Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal
Pristine Features Elite Auction
Since stepping into the role of Chief Operating Officer at Pristine Auction last October, Jeromy Murray has been working with leadership to expand the auction house’s presence in the hobby field further.
“We’ve always been sort of known as the place where you can get memorabilia and autographs. So, as we’re starting to grow the Elite Auction with what Heritage has done, what Goldin has done, PWCC, is to get into some more high-end stuff,” Murray said.
Pristine Auction kicked off its Elite Auction at the start of this month and will end on the final day of The National, July 28, at 10 p.m. ET. The auction features about 300 items.
Some of the highlights include a pair of Jordan 1 Mid Reverse Bred basketball shoes dual signed by Jordan; an official game ball from the 1998 NBA All-Star Game signed by 32 players — the likes of Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal; a Ruth cut autograph in a PSA 9; and a Ruth 1933 Goudey PSA 4.
A popular event that Pristine has been running at The National for years is an hourly live auction only available for bidders at the show.
“There’s going to be 248 total items through the week that they’re going to auction off,” Murray said. “It’s a great time to go there and pick up pieces. It’s only available for people bidding at the show because you’ll pick the items up there.”
