In the world of hidden treasures, there are few discoveries as thrilling as an unexpected hoard of vintage collectibles. So, when siblings rummaging through the attic of their late parents’ home in Northeast Ohio stumbled upon an old cigar box, they were in for what can only be described as a financial and nostalgic home run. Inside was not just a dusty storage contraption but a treasure trove that turned a routine clean-up into a delightful windfall.
A collection of rare baseball cards, among them several prized Babe Ruth cards, was tucked away silently within that box for countless years. Once brought to light, these relics from America’s favorite pastime found a modern-day battleground at an online auction, where they secured a remarkable total of $120,000. Thanks to the digital gavel at Stark County’s Kiko Auctions, these baseball jewels were given a second chance to dazzle, and more than just a monetary figure was at play here.
Local publication, the Canton Repository, did a deep dive into the numbers, shedding light on the breadth and depth of this serendipitous find. The auction, which spanned from May 28 to June 2, featured an astounding 623 lots. The undeniable stars of the show were the baseball cards, over 200 of which hailed from the iconic 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set. For the uninitiated, this legendary set was the first to pair America’s love for chewing gum with baseball, creating a symbiotic relationship that prompted young fans to clamor for packs that included both cards and a stick of the sugary treat. This set has long enchanted collectors, not just for its gum pairing but for its inclusion of numerous Hall of Famers, marking it as a high-water mark of card collection prestige.
When all was said and done, the auction raked in a jaw-dropping $120,699 in winning bids. However, that figure doesn’t account for the added cost of a 10% internet premium and 6.5% in sales tax, which altogether swelled the total spending to a princely sum north of $140,000. Among the keen-eyed bidders, one particular individual, if their user ID was any tell-tale sign, managed to score a substantial portion of the collection.
The cornerstone piece of the auction? A vibrant 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card decked in a striking red background, which alone raked in a cool $8,000. Across the auction block, five different Babe Ruth cards collectively accounted for $35,250 before additional fees and taxes were applied. It’s a testament to Ruth’s enduring appeal and the perennial magic of his legacy that these pieces return to the spotlight, captivating both wallets and hearts alike.
As with any sale involving vintage items, there’s an inherent gamble involved. None of the cards in this sale had been professionally graded — a process which would provide an authoritative assessment of each card’s condition and authenticity. This element of uncertainty adds a thrill of the chase for collectors, a chance for discerning aficionados to trust in their judgment and knowledge of the sport’s memorabilia. Winning bidders thus stepped into the auction fray with eyes wide open, conscious of the potential risks but lured by the promise of history in their hands.
The story of these erstowy attic residents is a quintessential tale of discovery, merging nostalgia for the baseball golden age with modern-day auction drama. Baseball might be a game nostalgically anchored in the past, yet it carries a charisma that transcends time, inviting both vintage connoisseurs and new collectors to engage with its storied artifacts. As these cards migrate from an Ohio attic to the cherished collections of enthusiasts around the globe, they carry with them not just the weight of Ruth’s iconic swings but the undying allure of a sport that has long held an intimate place in the hearts of its fans.
From a forgotten corner in the Buckeye State to the glowing screens of devices across continents, it’s clear that some things never lose their shine. These cards have, once again, reminded us that whether through the crack of the bat or the shuffle of a deck, baseball remains a celebration of both yesterday and today, and for the fortunate siblings who dared to dust off those memories, an impromptu expedition through nostalgia has yielded a remarkable treasure.
