In the heart of Northeast Ohio, nestled above a humble home, an attic harbored riches that only a true collector would appreciate—an illustrious cache of vintage baseball cards, tucked away for years inside a quaint old cigar box. This treasure trove, unexpectedly unearthed by siblings in the process of sorting through their late parents’ belongings, has now sent ripples through collector circles, culminating in a grand slam of an auction.
The discovery turned what otherwise might have been a somber task—sifting through family keepsakes—into a thrilling revelation, raising the pulse rates of these modern-day treasure hunters as they uncovered the forgotten stash. What lay beneath the dust wasn’t a mere collection, but a portal to the golden days of baseball, each card like a tiny time machine transporting one back to the roaring ’30s.
Once the family realized the potential value of their find, they placed their trust in Stark County’s renowned Kiko Auctions, known for its impeccable ability to transform attic discoveries into auction hall spectacles. This particular auction spread the excitement wide across its online platform, where bids flew in faster than a fastball. Held from May 28 to June 2, the event presented a stupendous 623 lots, with the lion’s share being baseball cards—a bonanza for enthusiasts and investors alike.
Among these, the 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set stood out, a name that resonates with a sweet echo in the card-collecting universe. This edition, the first to introduce gum with trading cards, is like catnip for collectors, packed with the legends of the sport. Each card pulled from the deck was a vignette of history, but none shone brighter than those graced with the visage of Babe Ruth.
This particular set didn’t just feature baseball icons; it provided a tactile connection to America’s pastime, and the stories these cards encapsulated became even more tangible because they were nestled alongside a stick of Wrigley’s gum back in the day—a marketing stroke of genius that proved as long-lasting as its flavor!
As the virtual gavel echoed across the ether, the auction concluded with an impressive $120,699 in winning bids. When factoring in the internet premium of 10% and a sales tax of 6.5%, the total monetary exchange climbed to north of $140,000. One bidder, known only by their user ID in this digital gathering, seemed to take home the lion’s share, setting their sights on the prized 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card, distinguished by its scarlet backdrop. This card alone captured $8,000, while the collective draw of five Ruth cards amassed a staggering $35,250, exclusive of additional fees and taxes.
While the overall condition of the cards varied and none had the stamp of professional grading, this rodeo of risk and reward is what fuels the engines of collectors’ dreams. Treading these waters, enthusiasts mix nostalgia with investment potential, proving that even in a tech-savvy era, the lure of vintage remains refreshingly potent.
These findings, tucked in an Ohio attic, now find themselves scattered across different hands and households, but their journey speaks volumes. Just like Babe Ruth’s infamous swing could send the ball arching through the sky, these cards have soared from obscurity into the limelight, rekindling an appreciation for the tradition and quirks of America’s beloved sport.
What started as a dusty, long-forgotten corner of a family attic quickly became the center of attention for collectors far and wide, a reminder to always check those seemingly unremarkable boxes. Ohio’s baseball relics have indeed proven that while some treasures lose their luster over time, others, like the legends they portray, only grow more captivating with every passing year. And so, in this digital age of instant gratification, there’s something artfully anachronistic and romantic about a collection of worn cardboard capturing hearts and igniting bidding wars from an attic in Ohio straight into auction history.
