It all began with an old cigar box, innocuously nestled in a forgotten corner of an attic in Northeast Ohio. A place not for forgotten odds and ends, but for preserving the echoes of yesteryear through a treasure trove of vintage baseball cards. Among them, the legendary figure of baseball lore—Babe Ruth. And while Babe Ruth’s legend is firmly planted in the annals of sports history, he scored yet another homerun, this time at an auction by Stark County’s Kiko Auctions, with the cards fetching a smashing $120,000.
The sellers, a pair of siblings who prefer to remain nameless, stumbled upon this forgotten bounty as they sifted through their late parents’ belongings. Somewhere between the knickknacks and keepsakes, they found the dusty collection that would leave any baseball aficionado breathless. According to auctioneer Jack Kiko, the family had a sneaking suspicion these were no ordinary cards. And their instincts were spot on.
The details were crunched and analyzed by The Canton Repository. The auction spanned from May 28 to June 2, showcasing a whopping 623 lots, dominated by baseball cards of yesteryears. A noteworthy 200 cards hailed from the illustrious 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set, revered for its timeless appeal and illustrious lineup of Hall of Famers.
For those not yet steeped in the wonders of baseball card collecting, the 1933 Goudey set marked a pivotal moment in the hobby’s history, as it was the first to include a stick of gum with each purchase. This marketing masterstroke not only sweetened the deal but also skyrocketed the set’s prevalence among fans and collectors alike. Its inclusion of legendary names etched into the baseball pantheon has made it one of the holy grails of card collecting.
By the time the dust settled and the virtual gavel came crashing down, the total of winning bids stood tall at $120,699. However, when factoring in the customary 10% internet premium and a 6.5% sales tax, the grand total for buyers swelled to a hefty sum that crossed the $140,000 mark.
Among the discerning bidders was one whose eagle eyes seemed to be aiming not just for participation but ownership. The highlight was undoubtedly the 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card, sporting a vibrant red backdrop. Its singular presence alone inspired an $8,000 winning bid. Collectively, five distinct Ruth cards amassed a pre-tax and pre-fee total of $35,250.
As with all adventures in vintage collecting, the real fun lies in the unknowns. None of the cards in this eclectic ensemble had been systematically graded by a professional, injecting a playful unpredictability into the affair. Each bid placed, every card won, carries that delightful kernel of risk, which many enthusiasts believe is integral to the allure of amassing vintage treasures.
The journey from an unassuming attic in Ohio to a widely observed online auction underscores the enduring allure of America’s favorite pastime. The tale transforms from dust-laden discovery to a palpable piece of nostalgia that served to captivate and engage collectors nationwide.
In summation, these storied relics of baseball’s golden age have proven that the game, much like the memories it inspires, continues to resonate across time. The treasures hidden away in an attic can yield astounding surprises, much like the home run swatted out into left field on a crisp summer afternoon. The connection to baseball’s storied past remains strong, preserving the flickering nostalgia of youth and perpetuating stories that remind us all of the romance woven into this grand American narrative. Now, thanks to a humble Ohio attic, a few more have an opportunity to hold a piece of that legacy in their own two hands.
