Heritage Auctions is gearing up to showcase a remarkable collection of rare and highly coveted baseball cards during its upcoming Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction on July 12-13. Among the standout items are a mint-condition 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson card, a gem-mint Michael Jordan Fleer rookie card, and a gem-mint chrome rookie card autographed by a young Bryce Harper. The event is also brimming with sealed packs, boxes, and cases holding potential hidden gems, making it a must-see for collectors. Notable additions include signed Shohei Ohtani cards and top-notch Ty Cobb tobacco cards, as well as the legendary Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot” jersey.
A particularly fascinating highlight of the auction is a rare collection of 1959 baseball cards that were once stapled to containers of Canadian cookies. These cards, with only 69 in the PSA population report, include 37 highly sought-after cards in this auction. The roster features iconic players such as Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Eddie Mathews, Whitey Ford, Ernie Banks, and Yogi Berra.
The Dad’s Cookies cards hold a special place in sports memorabilia history, with Joe Orlando, Heritage’s Executive Vice President in Sports, noting their significant appeal to collectors. These cards, produced by Exhibits Supply Company and distributed as promotional items by Dad’s Cookies in 1959, are a rarity due to their unique distribution method and limited surviving examples. Each card, bearing a note from the company’s Scottish mascot “Sandy,” encouraged kids to collect all 64 “autographed” pictures of “a BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL STAR.”
The auction also offers collectors a chance to acquire two highly coveted Ty Cobb T206 cards from the early 1900s. Notably, the El Principe de Gales Ty Cobb (PSA NM 7) is exceptionally rare, with only one known example bearing the El Principe de Gales advertisement on the back. Additionally, the American Beauty Portrait-Red Cobb (PSA EX-MT 6) is the highest-graded example of its kind, adding to its desirability among collectors who appreciate the finer details of T206 collecting.
In addition to the vintage treasures, the auction features a variety of sealed boxes and cases, such as the 1970 Topps Baseball Wax Box (1st & 3rd Series) with 24 unopened packs potentially containing cards of baseball legends like Carl Yastrzemski, Vida Blue, Rod Carew, Tom Seaver, and Roberto Clemente. These sealed items hold both nostalgic value and the excitement of uncovering hidden gems, creating a sense of anticipation and discovery for collectors.
Modern boxes and cases are also up for grabs, including the 2015 Upper Deck Hockey Series 1 Hobby Unopened Case with 12 boxes and the 2020 Panini Flawless Football Factory Sealed Case with two boxes. These contemporary items offer collectors the chance to find rare cards like a Connor McDavid rookie card or a gem-mint rookie patch auto, adding a layer of thrill and mystery to the collecting experience.
With its unparalleled array of rare and valuable baseball cards, sealed packs, and boxes, Heritage Auctions’ Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction promises to be an unforgettable event for sports memorabilia enthusiasts. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to acquire some of the most sought-after cards in the world of collectibles.
