Photo Courtesy of Heritage Auctions
Just in time for the World Series! Sports memorabilia collectors around the world are expected to take this pitch very seriously.
A grey flannel uniform of the Detroit Tigers worn in 1922 by Ty Cobb, is among the sports memorabilia that will headline the upcoming Signature Sports Auction presented by Heritage Auctions this November. The pre-auction estimate on the uniform is $300,000.
Ty Cobb, nicknamed the "Georgia Peach" and notorious for his mean-spirited demeanor, received more votes on that inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame ballot in 1936, than any player in the initial group selected for membership. Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson also were inducted that year.
"Only two Ty Cobb Detroit uniforms are known to have survived to this day," said Chris Ivy, director of Heritage Sports Collectibles. "This one is the earlier of the two, and worn during Cobb’s final season surpassing the .400 batting mark. It’s unquestionably one of the most important game-used artifacts in private hands."
A baseball autographed by "Shoeless Joe" Jackson, a member of the 1919 Chicago White Sox team, whom were accused of conspiring to lose the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Red Legs in the infamous "Black Sox" scandal, has a pre-auction estimate of $20,000.
Despite playing better than any other player in the series, Jackson received a lifetime ban from baseball the following year by then-commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. Since Joe Jackson was uneducated, it has been reported that he had his wife write his signature. In December 1990, a baseball actually autographed by Jackson sold for $23,500. So, the final sales amount of this ball may exceed expectations.
Other notable sports collectibles include a baseball cap worn by Babe Ruth and jerseys worn by Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Joe "Ducky" Medwick, and Bob Feller. Additionally, various collectibles from golf will be among the lots. Amateur medals won by Bobby Jones and PGA championship medals from Walter Hagen and Paul Runyan.
The Signature Sports Auction takes place in Dallas, Texas, on November 10-11, 2011. For all the details of the Heritage Auction event, visit HA.com.
