CCA's Top 30 - Superior and Interesting Collectibles
20 Lots
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Lot 11. Nelson Mandela Autographed “Long Walk to Freedom” Autobiography from Easton Press. This is the rare limited-edition leather-bound version of the South African leader’s autobiography. Mandela personally hand-signed a special page inside that attests to the fact that he signed it. In addition, the book comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Easton Press documenting the validity of the autograph on the special signature page. Easton specializes in high-quality leather editions, many signed by the author. In 1994, Mandela became the first president of South Africa elected with the full participation of the country’s black majority. He served until 1999. From 1962 until 1990, he was imprisoned for his opposition to the country’s apartheid government. In 1993, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his promotion of reconciliation among South Africa’s races. Today, he is revered in his country and respected worldwide. His autograph in the book grades gem mint 10. Kevin Keating authenticated it for Collectible Classics. The book is mint. Our consignor purchased the book when Easton Press issued it in 2000 and then preserved it in like-new condition. On the Internet, copies in lower condition have been offered for more than $4,000. This is a remarkable book detailing the life of a remarkable man.
Winning Bid $1,500.
Lot 12. President Ronald Reagan Autographed Autobiography. First Edition of “Ronald Reagan: An American Life” published in 1992 by Simon and Schuster. Reagan signed the second inside page, which has the publisher’s logo, and dated the autograph “Oct. 29 – ’92.” The signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is mint 9 to gem mint 10. Containing numerous photos, the book is ex to ex-m with a surface crease in the front board. The dust jacket is ex-m. In the year marking the 100th anniversary of the 40th President’s birth, this signed book will make an excellent addition to a Reagan or Presidential autograph collection. Please note that many other books offered as “autographed” actually have Reagan’s signature on a bookplate insert. This book is signed, and its value is further enhanced by having the signature dated. The Reagan Library offers this book with a signed bookplate for $4,000. Books that are actually signed typically are considered much more desirable.
Winning Bid $477.
Lot 13. “Earth Rise” Jar by the Wife of Astronaut Owen Garriott. In 1973, as part of the Skylab 3 mission, Garriott set a record for time in space. Subsequently, his wife put her considerable artistic talents to work to create a series of jars and pots representing the Moon’s surface and its relationship to Earth. This wonderful hand-made black porcelain jar, approximately 5.5” tall, features fine detailing, including gray, blue and white specks of ceramic sand representing the Moon’s surface. Rhinestones designate lunar landing spots. Tiny footprints represent Neil Armstrong walk on the lunar surface, the first by any Earthling. The Earth is depicted on the lid of the jar. Hold the jar at arm’s-length in a tilted position, rotate it slowly, and the Earth “rises,” just as it did for the Moon’s astronaut visitors. The jar, which is mint, is signed and copyrighted by Mrs. Garriott. On Skylab 3, Owen Garriott spent 60 days in space, more than double the previous record. He was also aboard Spacelab 1 in 1983. He appears in the Ultima II computer game, which his son Richard created. In 2008, Richard went into space as a tourist aboard Soyuz TMA-13, becoming the first U.S. citizen to follow a parent into space. This attention-grabbing jar will make an excellent addition to a space-age collection!
Winning Bid $222.
Lot 14. Buzz Aldrin Autograph on a Replica of the Plaque Left on the Moon on July 20, 1969. That day, Neil Armstrong and Aldrin became the first humans to set foot on the Moon. They left behind a plaque declaring “We Came in Peace for All Mankind.” The replica plaque, which is 9” x 8” mounted on a 10 ½” x 13” wood-grain backing, has the facsimile signatures of President Nixon, Armstrong, Aldrin and Michael Collins. In addition, Aldrin has placed a large, bold gem mint 10 autograph in the lower right corner of the plaque, which is No. 306 of 750. He was the Lunar Module pilot for Apollo 11, the first manned flight to the Moon. Autograph authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $218.
Lot 15. Rare Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) Autographed Record Sleeve. Mint 9 to gem mint 10 signature on a vg-ex 7” x 7” picture sleeve that contains the nm 45 rpm 1963 record “I Am The Greatest! Cassius Clay.” On the B side, Clay presents “Will the Real Sonny Liston Please Fall Down.” Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali about a year after issuing the record. Copies of the picture sleeve signed as Cassius Clay are rare. Kevin Keating authenticated the autograph.
Winning Bid $1,119.
Lot 16. 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Set of 132: Michael Jordan, PSA MINT (OC), and Other Rookies. The key to this set, #57, the Michael Jordan rookie card, has razor-sharp corners, is free of any stains and is centered approximately 50:50 left-to-right and70:30 top-to-bottom. These characteristics earned the card a grade of MINT 9 (OC) from PSA. Other important cards are #7 Barkley rookie nm-m, 26 Drexler rookie nm+, 32 Ewing rookie ex-m+, 68 Malone rookie nm+, 82 Olajuwon rookie nm+ and 121 Wilkins rookie nm. This pack-fresh set averages nm to nm-m, with centering the primary determinant.
Winning Bid $862.
Lot 17. Complete Run of 62 “Sports Illustrated” Issues with Michael Jordan Covers. These high-quality issues average nm. One-half do not have mailing labels. Jordan first appeared on an “SI” cover on Nov. 28, 1983. He shared the cover of the publication’s College Basketball Preview issue with North Carolina teammate Sam Perkins. The final issue in the collection, a commemorative dated Nov. 4, 2009, celebrates Jordan’s Hall of Fame career. The collection includes other commemorative or special issues and regular editions in which Jordan shares the cover or has it to himself. In 1991, Jordan appeared on eight covers, including all four June issues. This is an outstanding COMPLETE group of magazines featuring ESPN’s “Athlete of the 20th Century”!
Winning Bid $198.
Lot 18. Robin Roberts’ Personal, Autographed Wilmington Blue Rocks No. 36 Retirement Jersey. Roberts spent part of one, impressive season in the minors. In 1948, before being called up by the Phils, he won nine games while losing only one and posting a 2.06 ERA for the Wilmington (DE) Blue Rocks of the Interstate League. Today, the Blue Rocks compete in the Northern Division of the Carolina League. In 1998, the team honored Roberts at the Carolina League All-Star Game by retiring his No. 36. It was the first time the team had retired a former player’s number. At the retirement ceremony, the team gave Roberts a Wilson size 44 Blue Rocks jersey with his number on the front and back, and his name on the back. Subsequently, he autographed the jersey, added “HOF 76” and gave it to his business manager, who has provided a signed letter of provenance. The jersey is mint, and Roberts’ autograph and notation are gem mint 10. Truly unique! Kevin Keating authenticated the signature. In 1999, “The Sporting News” ranked Roberts No. 74 on its list of 100 Greatest Baseball Players. He won at least 20 games six times, was a seven-time All-Star, finished in the top 10 in MVP voting five times, led the N.L. in strikeouts twice and currently ranks 28th in career wins. Roberts passed away last year.
Winning Bid $294.
Lot 19. Robin Roberts 1986 Phils Coach’s and Game-Used Cracker Jack Uniforms – Both Signed! Roberts, who passed away in 2010, autographed two jerseys and a jacket in this collection. He gave them to his business agent, who has provided a signed letter of provenance, one for each uniform. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs. In 1986, Roberts served as a roving pitching instructor for the Phils. He wore the uniform offered here. He autographed the tail of the size 48 Rawlings jersey, which has “Robby” embroidered on the left shoulder and his name and No. 36 on the back. The autograph is mint 9; he added “HOF 76” below the signature. Besides the jersey, the uniform includes Roberts’ size 36 Wilson pants, which have his name inside, socks, T-shirt and red belt. All show good use, but no abuse. His agent’s letter of provenance contains this interesting information: After Roberts spent a year looking at the Phils’ pitching talent in the minors, management wanted Roberts’ evaluation. “Robin bluntly stated that we had nothing; nobody could pitch in the bigs. Robin told me that’s not what they wanted to hear and did not ask him back the next year.” When his agent asked if anybody of these young arms made it to the majors, Robin “laughed and said one did.” The second uniform is from Roberts’ participation in a Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic. This National League uniform consists of a jersey, pull-over warm-up jacket, pants, undershirt and stirrups. The grey size 46 Rawlings jersey, trimmed in blue and white, has the word “National” on the front, Roberts’ name and No. 36 on the back and the Cracker Jack logo on the right sleeve. The Bike size XL jacket has the National Old Timers Baseball Classic logo on the front. Adding “HOF 76” to each, Roberts autographed the tail of the jersey and the lower left front on the jacket. The signature on the jersey is an unimprovable 10, and on the jacket, an nm-m 8 to mint 9 with some bleeding. The Rawlings pants are size 38, and the stirrups are blue. The uniform shows light use and displays very nicely. In the early 1950s, no pitcher was better than Roberts. He won at least 20 games each season from 1950 through 1955, for a total of 138 victories during the period. In 1999, “The Sporting News” counted him among the top 100 players (#74) in baseball history. This is a superb and affordable set of collectibles representing one of baseball’s great players, and an outstanding person as well.
Winning Bid $646.
Lot 20. Mickey Mantle Signed Mitchell & Ness Cooperstown Collection 1951 Yankees Jersey. Large, bold and beautiful gem mint 10 autograph on a mint jersey that has the Mitchell & Ness and Cooperstown Collection Authentic tags. Kevin Keating authenticated the autograph. Like the real 1951 jerseys, this example has the American League Golden Anniversary (1901-51) patch on the left sleeve. This jersey could serve as a stunning centerpiece for a Mantle or Yankees display!
Winning Bid $1,183.
Lot 21. Rare 1929 New York Yankees Team Baseball Autographed by 26. The signatures are on an ex-m to nm Official American League E. S. Barnard baseball that is off-white with strong pre-printed areas. The Babe Ruth autograph on the sweet spot is a clubhouse example. Kevin Keating has authenticated the other signatures. They include Lou Gehrig, Bill Dickey, Floyd Van Pelt, (Gordon) Dusty Rhodes, George Pipgras and Fred Heimach on the south panel, Bob Meusel, Lyn Lary, Tony Lazzeri, Tom Zachary, Johnny Grabowski, Charley O’Leary and Benny Bengough on the north, Bob Shawkey, Sammy Byrd, Gene Robertson and Earle Combs on the east, and Ben Paschal, Herb Pennock, Waite Hoyt, Cedric Durst, Julian Wera and Roy Sherid on the west. The autographs generally are light, ranging from poor-fair 1 to ex 5. For approximately one-half of the signatures, all letters can be deciphered with the naked eye (ex). The Gehrig signature rates very good 3; while light, half of the letters can readily be deciphered. The ball is dated 9-19-29. Examples from this year seldom turn up. The 1929 team was among the first to wear uniform numbers. One of the oddities is the presence of Van Pelt on the ball. Records show that he was assigned uniform No. 35, although he never got into a Yankees game. Here is a rare opportunity to own a rare memento from the 29th season of baseball’s most storied franchises. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $1,129.
Lot 22. Hack Wilson (HoF) Autograph and Photo. Nm-m 8 to mint 9 signature of the Hall of Fame outfielder matted with an 8” x 10” photo and surrounded by a 13.25” x 20.25” vintage frame. Wilson was one of baseball’s premier hitters – and characters. For his career, he batted .307 with 1,062 RBI, including a record 191 runs knocked in 1930. He also belted 56 home runs that season, an N.L. record eclipsed only be Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa. A hard drinker, he was only 48 when he died in 1948. The Veterans Committee voted him into the Hall of Fame 31 seasons later. Among 20th century Hall of Famers, his signature is one of the more difficult to obtain. This example shows part of another name lightly written below it. Some other writing may have been erased to make a place for Wilson’s signature, which is strong, bold and authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $1,149.
Lot 23. Roger Maris Autographed Unlined Index Card. Bold gem mint 10 signature. One of the strongest Maris autographs we’ve seen. Kevin Keating authenticated it.
Winning Bid $393.
Lot 24. Roger Maris 61st Home Run “Story Ball” Done Entirely in the Hand of Tracy Stallard! Magnificent mint OAL Budig baseball signed on the sweet spot “Tracy Stallard #61 to Roger Maris 10/1/61.” On the four other panels, he tells the story of delivering the pitch for this record-setting home run: “-1- Last game of 1961 season. I arrived Yankee Stadium one hour before game time, with no clue who was going pitch when Sal Maglie handed me the ball. I warmed up for 15 minutes. 1st inning Maris popped out. -2- He hit it high & hard in the right field seats for his 61st home run. -3- The hit broke Babe Ruth’s single season record set in 1927. I pitched to Roger in the 7th and struck him out. (-4-) When I later talked to Roger he thanked me for having the nerve to pitch to him. (We) lost (the) game 1-0.” Stallard pitched for the Red Sox. His autograph and inscription are bold, mint 9 to gem mint 10. An incredible, unique, “must-have” for all serious collectors, especially Maris and Yankees collectors! Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $360.
