In a turn of events that would make even the Sultan of Swat himself beam with pride, a cache of vintage baseball cards uncovered in the unlikeliest of places — an Ohio attic — made a grand slam at a recent online auction. The humble confines of an old cigar box, a relic of a bygone era, proved to be a veritable treasure chest when it was discovered to be the resting place of cards featuring none other than the legendary Babe Ruth. These precious pieces of sports history didn’t just change hands; they did so to the tune of a staggering $120,000, thanks to an eager collective of bidders who participated in an online auction orchestrated by Stark County’s Kiko Auctions.
The fortuitous find was made by a pair of siblings, whose serendipitous attic excavation while sorting through their late parents’ belongings unearthed this remarkable collection. Preferring to remain anonymous, the lucky pair had an inkling of the cards’ potential worth, an intuition that proved to be spot on. According to auctioneer Jack Kiko, their instinct about the cards’ value was more than sound.
Conducting an autopsy of the auction figures, The Canton Repository delved into the details, revealing that the event unfolded between May 28 and June 2. A total of 623 lots were on the block, with a significant majority being baseball cards — at the heart of which sat over 200 cards from the illustrious 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set. Revered in the world of card collecting, this set was groundbreaking, marrying the joys of baseball cards with the modest delight of chewing gum in each pack, thereby amplifying its popularity to stratospheric levels. The set is also celebrated for its inclusion of numerous Hall of Fame players, a siren call for serious collectors worldwide.
As the virtual auction gavel descended, the tally of successful bids reached an impressive $120,699. When accounting for a 10% internet premium and a 6.5% sales tax, the final expenditure soared past $140,000. Among the zealous bidders, one stood out — hopefully equipped with a keen eye — capturing a substantial slice of the collection. The crown jewel was undeniably a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card set against a striking red backdrop, which alone commanded a winning bid of $8,000. Five different Ruth cards were collectively sold for a handsome sum of $35,250, exclusive of additional fees and taxes.
The cards, while varying in their condition, had not been graced by the expertise of professional grading. Consequently, the winning bidders are embarking on a minor gamble, which is often half the allure in the enthralling world of vintage card collecting. After all, with risk comes the potential for legendary reward, particularly in a field ripe with history and nostalgia.
From its resting place amid the dust and sentimental keepsakes of a Buckeye State attic, this unexpected baseball legacy reached the broader stage of an online forum, capturing the imaginations and spirited participation of collectors everywhere. These icons of America’s enduring love affair with baseball encapsulate a wistful remembrance of yesteryears, thus confirming that a good dose of nostalgia, coupled with the ever-timeless romance of the game, remains capable of hitting home runs even decades later.