13TH ANNUAL LIVE AUCTION DURING 2017 MLB® ALL-STAR WEEK™ FEATURING CLEMENTE COLLECTION TOTALS OVER $7,500,000
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Sherlock
jsherlock@jennacommunications.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13TH ANNUAL LIVE AUCTION AT ALL-STAR FANFEST® DURING 2017 MLB® ALL-STAR WEEK™ FEATURING ROBERTO CLEMENTE COLLECTION TOTALS OVER $7,500,000
Three Hundred pieces from the Clemente Collection sold including record-breaking prices at the All-Star FanFest
LOCATION: Miami Beach, FL Convention Center
(MIAMI, July 11, 2017) The personal collection of iconic Hall of Fame member and Pittsburgh Pirate right fielder Roberto Clemente has sold today at the MLB FanFest with incredible results.
“Today’s auction results from the personal collection of Roberto Clemente were astounding, and appropriate, for the man known as “The Great One,” Remarked David Hunt, President of Hunt Auctions. “Bidders from all over the United States and several other countries escalated the final bid prices to record levels. The passion exhibited by the auction bidding serves as clear evidence that Roberto Clemente’s legacy is as vibrant as ever most notably as a generational humanitarian figure.”
“This is something that shows the love and respect from fans after all these years, so thank you. This is a great gift. He played for the love of the game and the fans that paid their hard earned money to attend the games. He represented the hard working class, and gave his all for them. This is a way to give back for all of the generous support they have given us for more than forty years,” said Roberto Clemente Jr., son of Roberto Clemente.
Numerous record prices were achieved in various categories most notably with the 1967 National League Silver Batting Championship award which brought a record price of $493,500. This price shattered the previous mark of $313,500 previously held by Mickey Mantle’s 1956 American League silver bat award.
The auction company has announced the top ten items that sold in the Clemente collection today during session #2 at All-Star FanFest.
Highlighted items include:
- Roberto Clemente NL Silver Batting Championship bats 1964 & 1967 has sold for $493,500 & $305,500
- Roberto Clemente 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series ring has sold for $381,875
- Roberto Clemente 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series ring has sold for $352,500
- 1960 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates World Series home uniform has sold for $411,250
- Roberto Clemente Gold Glove Awards: Seasons 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972 has sold for a total of $640,375
- 1971 Roberto Clemente World Series Most Valuable Player award has sold for $85,187.50
- 1966 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates professional model road jersey (MVP Season) has sold for $199,750
- Roberto Clemente Hall of Fame Induction Plaque has sold for $82,250
- 1972 Special Edition 440 Magnum Charger limited edition car as presented to Roberto in recognition of his selection as the 1971 World Series MVP has sold for $105,750 (Photo below)
- 1970-1971 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates professional model home uniform has sold for $70,500
“I could not envision a more appropriate venue to share some our family’s memorabilia than Major League Baseball All-Star Week in Miami, FL”. remarked Vera Clemente, Wife of Roberto Clemente . “My husband Roberto participated in 15 Midsummer Classic games and enjoyed many fond memories during those games. He always appreciated his many fans in the various host cities throughout the years. The legacy that Roberto left with all of us is impossible to properly describe but I truly believe his commitment to helping others has resonated with the game of baseball and become a guiding light for future generations of players. I have enjoyed a beautiful life that Roberto and the game of baseball have provided for our family and we are very pleased to share some of our treasured memorabilia with the great fans of the game. My family and I have humbly attempted to carry forward Roberto’s goal to help others especially through our involvement with numerous programs and foundations to assist young people in need. We look forward to continuing that mission and sharing Roberto’s message with a new generation of baseball fans.”
Highlights from session #1 included:
• Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat signed by Ruth and Lou Gehrig c. 1933-34 sold for $458,250
• 1931 Babe Ruth autographed professional model baseball bat (Breslow Collection) sold for $317,250
• Lou Gehrig 1934 All-Star Team Pendant sold for $146,875
• 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Baseball Card #311 (PSA 8NM-MT) sold for $282,000
• 1909-11 T-206 Eddie Plank (PSA 3 VG) sold for $64,625
For more MLB® All-Star Week™ information, please visit AllStarGame.com, the MLB All-Star Game®Twitter account (@AllStarGame) and MLB All-Star Game® Facebook account (Facebook.com/MLBAllStarGame).
ABOUT HUNT AUCTIONS:
Exton, Pennsylvania based Hunt Auctions has been a leader in the sports memorabilia auction industry for 25 years. Numerous former players and their families have trusted their collections with Hunt Auctions including Roberto Clemente (HOF), Ted Williams (HOF), Joe DiMaggio (HOF), Whitey Ford (HOF), Curt Flood, Leo Durocher (HOF), Robin Roberts (HOF), Earl Weaver (HOF), Commissioner Bowie Kuhn (HOF), Warren Spahn (HOF), Johnny Bench (HOF), Johnny Unitas (HOF), Gale Sayers (HOF), Tony Dorsett (HOF), Tony Gwynn (HOF), Brett Favre (HOF), Clem Labine, Mickey Vernon, Jake Pitler, Thurman Munson, Roy Campanella (HOF), Harmon Killebrew (HOF), Bill Mazeroski (HOF), Kent Tekulve, Steve Blass, Johnny Pesky, Charles “Kid” Nichols (HOF), Jim Palmer (HOF), Bucky Walters, Walter Johnson (HOF), Bill McKechnie (HOF), Willie Mosconi, Randall Cunningham, Joe Frazier and Norm Van Brocklin (HOF). Hunt Auctions is also the Official Auction Company of Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and the Official Auctioneer of Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest®. Hunt Auctions has worked with numerous institutions to include National Football League, Philadelphia Phillies®, Pittsburgh Pirates®, Baltimore Orioles®, Boston Red Sox®, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Chicago Bulls, National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame and Baseball Assistance Team.