In the highly anticipated Clean Sweep Auctions’ 2024 premiere, baseball enthusiasts and collectors alike are in for a treat. This remarkable event showcases an expansive and notable collection of pre-War baseball cards and sports memorabilia, inviting bidders to compete for these coveted pieces of history.
One of the standout attractions in this auction is the inclusion of two exceptionally rare T206 cards, which hold a special place on the checklist of vintage baseball memorabilia collectors. Among them is the T206 Ray Demmitt card, graded SGC 2, and the Bill O’Hara card, which has received an SGC 1.5 grade. These cards, along with several others featuring Hall of Famers, take center stage in the online catalog, enticing collectors from around the world.
Not to be missed is the distinguished Ty Cobb card, specifically the ‘bat on shoulder’ variant, accompanied by a Sovereign 350 back and graded PSA 3. Additionally, an SGC Cy Young portrait card, graded SGC 4, adds to the allure of the auction, captivating collectors seeking rare and remarkable items.
A truly rare highlight of this event is the set of four M110 Sporting Life Cabinet cards from 1911. Featuring legendary baseball figures such as Honus Wagner, Frank Chance, Nap Lajoie, and Christy Mathewson, these cards possess significant historical value due to their scarcity. Dating back over a century, they represent a limited number of surviving examples from Sporting Life’s early venture into card production, making them highly sought after by collectors.
The auction doesn’t stop there, encompassing an impressive array of significant cards. These include the 1887 Allen & Ginter Mike “King” Kelly card, graded SGC 5, the 1907 Dietsche Ty Cobb postcard (with the name on the front variation), graded SGC 1, and a rare 1908 Rose Postcard featuring Hall of Famer Addie Joss. Additionally, there is a collection of 1911 Turkey Red Cabinets, housing cards of Walter Johnson, Eddie Collins, Home Run Baker, Rube Waddell, and Addie Joss.
Continuing the lineup of key lots, bidders will find a 1921 Exhibit Babe Ruth card graded PSA 2, a 1928 Harrington’s Ice Cream Ruth card graded SGC 1.5, a 1933 George C. Miller Dizzy Dean card graded SGC 3, and a pair of 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig cards (graded PSA 2 and SGC 3.5, respectively). The auction also features a 1933 Goudey 149 Ruth card rated SGC 5, a 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams rookie card with an SGC 3 grade, a 1948-49 Leaf Jackie Robinson RC graded Beckett 2, a PSA 9 graded 1950 Callahan set, and rookie cards of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays from the 1951 Bowman collection. Furthermore, card enthusiasts will be delighted to find a 1952 Berk Ross Mantle card graded PSA 3, a 1952 Bowman Mantle card with a PSA 5 grade, a 1954 Johnson Cookies Aaron RC graded PSA 7, and a 1958 Hires Root Beer with tab Willie Mays card, also graded PSA 7.
Complete sets make an appearance in the auction as well, including the highly sought-after 1957 and 1967 Topps collections. The 1967 set, boasting 90 graded cards, is sure to pique the interest of avid collectors searching for a comprehensive addition to their portfolio.
Notable among the array of items on auction are an autographed 1953 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle card, a PSA 8 graded Jackie Robinson signed Hall of Fame postcard, and a 1931 Yankees team signed baseball, adding an extra layer of uniqueness and significance.
For enthusiasts of unopened material, Clean Sweep Auctions presents a 1988 Fleer basketball wax box and a 1986 Topps football rack box, providing an opportunity to add untouched gems to their collection.
Kicking off the event is an exceptional item fresh to the hobby: a 1939 Joe Cronin Boston Red Sox road flannel jersey, which has been rated a remarkable 9 by MEARS, solidifying its place as a highly desirable and valuable piece of sports memorabilia.
Further intriguing items include a series of Chicago Cubs signed team sets dating back to the 1950s, thirteen different Derek Jeter autographed cards (most signed before his MLB debut in the mid-1990s), and a Lou Gehrig autograph.
Basketball card collectors will be thrilled to find two Bird/Magic rookies and two Michael Jordan rookies, while the football section boasts vintage sets, Tom Brady rookie cards, and a ticket from the famous 1958 “greatest game” between the Colts and the Giants.
Rounding out the auction is an impressive array of baseball memorabilia, featuring 19th-century Chicago Cubs home scorecards, a 1906 Red Sox scorecard, a 1920 “Who’s Who” with Babe Ruth on the cover, numerous World Series items, a 1912 tabletop baseball game, an original telephone from Ebbets Field, tickets, pennants, and a high-grade set of Hartland statues.
Enthusiasts and collectors are encouraged to join the bidding frenzy and secure their chance to acquire these exceptional pieces of baseball and sports history. The auction will run through January 31st, providing ample time to peruse the extensive collection and place bids on the desired treasures.
