The Conlon Photographic Archive Soars to $1.8M at Heritage Auctions

NEW YORK, NY - Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night reconfirmed its status as the hobby’s elite luxury brand this past weekend, posting 20 lots that surpassed $100,000+ as well as a single, staggering seven-figure sum for the Charles Conlon Photographic Archive, which gained steam with a pre-auction New York Times feature article to rocket to a final sale price of $1,792,500.

“Present the most significant material to the hobby’s largest and wealthiest collecting clientele and great things will happen,” explained Chris Ivy, director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. “When it comes to maximizing sale prices for the best of the best, our Platinum Night is in a class by itself.” 

Eight of the top 10 prices realized were claimed by rare and high-grade trading cards, a clear indication of the thundering bull market at the top of the population charts.

·         1963 Topps Pete Rose - 1963 Rookie Stars #537 PSA Gem Mint 10: Realized: $717,000.

·         1916 Babe Ruth Rookie - M101-5 Blank Back Sporting News #151 PSA NM 7: Realized: $717,000.

·         1968 Topps Nolan Ryan - Mets Rookie Stars #177 PSA Gem Mint 10: Realized: $612,359.

·         1969 Topps Lew Alcindor - #25 PSA Gem Mint 10: Realized: $501,900.

·         1956 Topps Mickey Mantle, Gray Back #135 PSA Gem Mint 10: Realized: $382,400.

·         1952 Topps Willie Mays - #261 PSA Mint 9: Realized: $382,400.

·         1954 Topps Hank Aaron - #128 PSA Mint 9: Realized: $358,500. 

·         1955 Topps Sandy Koufax Rookie - #123 PSA Mint 9: Realized: $215,100.

The only Jackie Robinson bat definitively attributed to his heroic 1947 rookie campaign commanded $478,000 after a protracted bidding war, trailing only Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series home run model among record tallies for post-war lumber. And the ring issued to Hall of Fame hurler Herb Pennock for his World Championship service to the fabled 1927 New York Yankees found a new owner at $203,150, the highest price ever paid at auction for that elite vintage.

Maurice “Rocket” Richard took top honors for hockey memorabilia in Platinum Night action, bringing $89,625 for his 1947 NHL All-Star sweater, the highest price ever paid for a Richard gamer. And the cap worn by the iconic Babe Ruth in his final Major League game commanded $167,300, a record for a Boston Braves model.

Additional highlights include:

·         1909-11 E90-1 American Caramel Joe Jackson Rookie PSA EX 5.:Realized: $143,400

·         1913 Philadelphia Athletics World Championship Pocket Watch Presented to Eddie Collins.: Realized: $40,630.

·         1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson #103 PSA NM-MT 8.: Realized: $107,550

·         1916 Standard Biscuit D350 Babe Ruth Rookie PSA Good 2.: Realized: $131,450.

·         1925 Exhibits Lou Gehrig Rookie SGC 30 Good 2.: Realized: $35,850

·         1934 Tour of Japan Official Photograph Album.: Realized: $43,020

·         1934 Babe Ruth Tour of Japan Presentational Pennant.: Realized: $45,410

·         1959 Roberto "Momen" Clemente Game Used Bat, PSA/DNA GU 10.: Realized: $50,190.00

·         1971 Topps Roberto Clemente #630 PSA Gem Mint 10.: Realized:  $71,700.00

·         1980 Roberto Duran Fight Worn Trunks from Sugar Ray Leonard II "No Mas"Bout.: Realized: $40,630.00

·         1983 Los Angeles Raiders Super Bowl XVIII Championship Ring Presented to Cornerback Lester Hayes.: Realized: $54,970.00

·         1995 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XXX Championship Ring Presented to Larry Brown.: Realized: $71,700.00

To order the next Heritage Sports Collectibles Signature catalog, contact Christina Stephens, or write c/o Heritage Sports Collectibles, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219.

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of more than $800 million, and more than one million online bidder members. For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.

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