A $5 Million Sports Collection is up for Auction at MLB All-Star Week
MEDIA CONTACT
Jennifer Sherlock
jsherlock@jennacommunications.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PROMINENT MIDWESTERN COLLECTION TO HIGHLIGHT 1st SESSION
LIVE AUCTION & APPRAISAL FAIR AT ALL-STAR FANFEST® DURING 2017 MLB® ALL-STAR WEEK™
Hunt Auctions Appraisal Fair & Live Auction Display runs Friday, July 7-11
Bidding for the Live Auction at All-Star FanFest® begins Monday July 10th and Continues to
Tuesday, July 11th
LOCATION: Miami Beach, FL Convention Center
(Exton, PA, May 25, 2017) Hunt Auctions, the official auction company of All-Star FanFest®, will present the 13th Annual Live Auction at All-Star FanFest® during the Major League Baseball® All-Star Game® events in Miami, FL, from July 7th to 11th. The company is pleased to announce the inclusion of a Prominent Midwestern Collection which will be featured during the first live auction session on Monday July 10th. The collection was assembled over a number of years and will include numerous significant baseball items including game used baseball bats, autographed items, and high condition grade trading cards.
“We are very proud to have been selected to represent this exceptional private collection,” said David Hunt, President Hunt Auctions. “The quality of materials with regard to condition grade and significance most certainly ranks among the finest of its type that we have handled in our 25 year company history. In combination with the offering of the Robert Clemente Collection during the second session we fully expect this two day auction event to be a benchmark sale with record setting results.”
The collection was clearly assembled with a keen eye towards condition specimens and items which were considered among the very best within their particular category. Several highlights from the memorabilia portion of the collection include:
-Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat signed by Ruth and Lou Gehrig c.1933-34 (PSA/DNA 10) (Est. $300,000-$500,000)
-Lou Gehrig’s 1934 AL All-Star Team Pendant (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
-1931 Babe Ruth autographed professional model baseball bat (Breslow Collection) (Est. $150,000-$250,000)
-Joe DiMaggio professional model bat c.1940s (Rizzuto Collection, PSA/DNA 10) (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
-1914 Ty Cobb autographed professional model baseball bat (Ed Maier Collection provenance, PSA/DNA 10) (Est. $100,000-$200,000)
-1949 Jackie Robinson All-Star Game professional model baseball bat (PSA/DNA 10 (Est. $150,000-$250,000)
-Walter Johnson professional model baseball bat c.1920s (Est. $75,000-$150,000)
– Walter Johnson single signed baseball (1924 World Series Final Out/Walter Johnson Collection provenance) (Est. $75,000-$125,000)
-5/24/1931 Babe Ruth autographed baseball attributed to 571st Home Run (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
In addition to vintage memorabilia, the collection includes a superb assemblage of high grade baseball trading cards, many of which are among finest grade of their type. Notable examples include:
-1952 Topps Baseball card near set with all cards graded either PSA 8 NM/MT or PSA 9 MT to include:
Mickey Mantle #310 (PSA 8 NM-MT) (Est. $300,000-$500,000)
Jackie Robinson #312 (PSA 9 MT) (Est. $75,000-$100,000)
Willie Mays #261 (PSA 8 NM-MT) (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
-1909-11 T-206 Eddie Plank (PSA 3 VG) (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
-1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie #164 (Est. $25,000-$50,000)
-1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #310 (SGC 45 VG+) (Est. $20,000-$40,000)
Additional high condition grade baseball star cards and complete sets will also be offered during the live auction session in addition to a supplemental internet auction offering.
Session Two of MLB All-Star FanFest auction will culminate on Tuesday, July 11th with the personal collection of iconic Hall of Fame member and Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder, Roberto Clemente. The Clemente Collection is one of the most significant player collections to have ever been offered at public auction and has been consigned directly to the event by the Clemente family. Roberto Clemente played his entire 18 year career as a right fielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His accolades rank among the most elite players in the history of the game collecting 3,000 career hits, .317 Lifetime batting average, (12) Gold Glove Awards, (15) NL All-Star team selection, (2) World Series Championships, 1971 World Series MVP, Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973; and #21 retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Perhaps the only attributes that could eclipse Clemente’s performance on the baseball field would be his lifetime dedication to helping other less fortunate than him. Roberto’s legacy within his homeland of Puerto Rico is without equal having earned a reputation of a deeply caring man who used his status to help others in need. Tragically, Roberto Clemente passed away on December 31, 1972 as he was en route to assist victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua when his plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. His legacy proudly carried on through his wife Vera and sons Roberto Jr., Luis, and Ricky all of whom have dedicated much of their lives to some of the very same causes championed by their father.
“I could not envision a more appropriate venue to share some our family’s memorabilia than the Major League Baseball All-Star Game 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.”
“Our father stands as a pillar for all that is good within the game of baseball and life. He was committed to standing up for equality and fair treatment for young people who endured the same challenges as he did during his youth,” said Roberto Jr., Luis and Ricky Clemente, Sons of Roberto Clemente. “It is truly a blessing for our family to have been able to meet, motivate and encourage many to achieve their dreams through our father’s legacy! We will continue to expand the Clemente Family’s goodwill throughout the world and are very excited for this auction event to assist with that goal.”
The Clemente Collection will be offered during the live auction on Tuesday, July 11th Session #2 and will consist of an astounding grouping of significant items spanning the entire career of the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates icon. Highlight items include:
– Roberto Clemente NL Silver Batting Championship bats 1964 & 1967 (Est. $100,000-$200,000 each)
– Roberto Clemente 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series ring (Est: $150,000-$300,000)
– Roberto Clemente 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series ring (Est: $150,000-$300,000)
-1960 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates World Series home uniform (Est. $250,000-$500,000)
– Roberto Clemente Gold Glove Awards: Seasons 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972 (Est. $50,000-$100,000 each)
– 1971 Roberto Clemente World Series Most Valuable Player award (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
– 1966 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates professional model road jersey (MVP Season) (Est. $100,000-$200,000)
– Roberto Clemente Hall of Fame Induction Plaque
– Roberto Clemente 1971 Limited Edition Dodge Charger presented in honor of 1971 World Series MVP (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
-1972 Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates professional model home uniform (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
HUNT AUCTIONS APPRAISAL FAIR AND DAILY SILENT AUCTIONS
Hunt Auctions and its team of nationally recognized experts will conduct its annual complimentary appraisal fair Friday, July 7th through Tuesday, July 11th for visitors of All-Star FanFest®. Select items from the appraisal fair may be consigned to the live auction. Attendees can call ahead to schedule a private consultation at 610.524.0822 or email at info@huntauctions.com. Hunt Auctions will also hold daily silent auctions held exclusively for visitors of All-Star FanFest® on Friday, July 7th – Monday, July 10th featuring vintage and modern era items for less than $1,000.
All-Star FanFest® at the Miami Beach Convention Center, which opens on Friday, July 7th and runs through Tuesday, July 11th, is the world’s largest interactive baseball theme park with over 400,000 square feet of baseball-related attractions for fans of all ages. Visitors can practice their baseball skills during clinics hosted by MLB® legends and current players; swing like their favorite Major Leaguers™ in the batting cages; view a collection of MLB® trophies and take a photo with the Commissioner’s Trophy, presented to the World Series Champions™; explore exhibits from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum; take photos with and get autographs from former Marlins® players, MLB® Legends and Hall of Famers; and more.
All All-Star FanFest® attractions are included with the price of admission, and the only additional costs are for concessions and memorabilia. Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for children ages 12 and under (children two and under are admitted free), senior citizens and military personnel. All-Star FanFest® tickets are sold on a timed-entry basis, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early to obtain preferred entry times.
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).
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.