Sports

773. The Who Signatures. Ballpoint signatures of The Who—Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle—on three off-white 6 x 3.75 album pages, with Townshend and Entwistle signing first names only, and the Daltrey autograph truncated because it continues on the back of Moon-Townshend page. In overall fine condition. Starting Bid $200

“Quite possibly the earliest signed Yardbirds recording to surface”

774. The Yardbirds Signed 45 RPM Single Record.

Rare first UK pressing of the Columbia Records 45 RPM record ‘I Wish You Would / A Certain Girl,’ the debut single by The Yardbirds, signed and inscribed on the originally issued Columbia Records sleeve in ballpoint by Keith Relf, Eric Clapton, Paul Samwell-Smith, Chris Dreja, and James McCarty. The ‘I Wish You Would’ single was released on May 1, 1964, and the autographs, and newly released single, were obtained just two days later, on May 3rd, as the Yardbirds were promoting the record launch at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond upon Thames, London. In very good condition, with overall creasing, and a stain to the upper left corner. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the original recipient, and a certificate of authenticity from Tracks, which states: “This is the only signed example of their historic debut single that we have encountered. Furthermore, given it was signed within two days of its release, it is quite possibly the earliest signed Yardbirds recording to surface.” Starting Bid $300

913. 1962 Topps Baseball Card Collection

(13,000+). Gigantic collection of 13,000+ 1962 Topps baseball cards, with highlights including: #340 Don Drysdale (5); #139 Hal Reniff (12: 1 portrait & 11 pitching); #30 Ed Mathews; #31 Tom Tresh (7); #40 Orlando Cepeda (14); #45 Brooks Robinson; #51 AL Batting Leaders (Kaline, etc.) (66); #52 NL Batting Leaders (Clemente, etc.) (57); #53 AL HR Leaders (Mantle, Maris, Killebrew) (5); #54 NL HR Leaders (Mays, F. Robinson, etc.) (47); #55 AL ERA Leaders (65); #56 NL ERA Leaders (62); #57 AL Win Leaders (Ford, Bunning) (63); #58 NL Win Leaders (Spahn, etc.) (47); #59 AL SO Leaders (Ford, Bunning, etc.) (64); #60 NL SO Leaders (Koufax, Drysdale) (65); #129b Lee Walls (4); #167 Tim McCarver (16); #170 Ron Santo (10); #208 Billy Martin (10); #213 Richie Ashburn (15); #251 Yankees Team (5); #313 Maris 61st HR (5); #317 Musial Last Season (3); #360 Yogi Berra; #395 Willie Mays AS (2); #475 Whitey Ford AS; #218 Joe Torre; #425 Carl Yastrzemski (2); #460 Jim Bunning (5); #468 Frank Robinson (2); #470 Al Kaline AS (3); #500 Duke Snider (3); and #505 Juan Marichal. Grades range from VG to EX-MT with some better.

Due to the overwhelming size of this collection, it will be sold as is and no returns will be accepted. Interested parties are encouraged to view the collection in person at our offices or call us with specific inquiries. Starting Bid $200

914. 1966 Topps Baseball Card Collection (10,000+). Enormous lot of

10,000+ 1966 Topps baseball cards, with large quantities of many players (some have 50 or more of each). Includes few stars, but #110 Ernie Banks, #30 Pete Rose, #410 Al Kaline, #210 Bill Mazeroski, #290 Ron Santo, #72 Tony Perez, #390 Brooks Robinson, and #132 Orlando Cepeda are among them. Condition ranges from VG-EX to EX-MT, some better, some lesser.

Due to the overwhelming size of this collection, it will be sold as is and no returns will be accepted. Interested parties are encouraged to view the collection in person at our offices or call us with specific inquiries. Starting Bid $200

915. 1979 Topps #18 Wayne Gretzky RC PSA EX 5. Graded

by PSA EX 5. An excellent example of Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card, with great colors, gloss, and registration. This iconic card shows the budding superstar—billed as “the best prospect to turn professional since Guy Lafleur”—in his first year with the Edmonton Oilers, ready to turn hockey on its head. In his debut season at just 19 years old, Gretzky tied for the league-lead in points and was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s MVP. He would go on to achieve greatness as the most dominant player of all-time, setting scoring records that will never be broken. Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame immediately upon retirement, and his number ‘99’ was retired league-wide. Starting Bid $200

Before he was King—Spalding basketball signed by a 17-year-old Lebron James

918. LeBron James Signed

Basketball. Official NBA indoor/outdoor Spalding basketball signed on a panel in blue felt tip by a 17-year-old LeBron James, who adds his number, “23,” and an inscription to “Ervin.” In very fine condition. Accompanied by two photos taken at the time of the signing: March 24, 2002, in the main concourse of the Parmatown Mall in Cleveland, Ohio. Signed by LeBron before he even graduated high school, this is an enormously desirable hardwood keepsake backed by rock solid visual provenance. Starting Bid $300

920. Joe Louis Signed Photograph. Vintage glossy 8 x

10 publicity photo of Louis as world’s heavyweight champion, prominently signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Earl, Joe Louis.” In fine condition, with scattered light creasing and a missing lower left corner tip and a JSA label affixed to the reverse (certificate of authenticity not present). Starting Bid $200

922. Thurman Munson Signed Photograph. Rare

vintage glossy 8 x 10 head-and-shoulders photo of Munson in his New York Yankees pinstripes, signed and inscribed in black felt tip, “To Frank, Best Wishes, Thurman Munson.” In very good condition, with scattered creasing, and two small pieces of clear tape in the upper corners and a JSA label affixed to the reverse (certificate of authenticity not present). Munson is very scarce in signed photos, and even rarer in examples of this size. Starting Bid $200

Imposing full-length portrait of Babe Ruth

924. Babe Ruth Signed Oversized Photograph. Magnificent vintage matte-finish 16.25 x 20 photo of Babe Ruth at the plate in his Yankees road uniform, following the trajectory of another monster blast, circa 1933-34, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To Bob Schrecengost, from Babe Ruth, 1947.” Professionally restored to near fine condition, with expert repairs to two tears at the top, touch-ups to the dark upper seating area, and flattening to multiple horizontal creases. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA.

A truly ‘Ruthian-sized’ photograph of the beloved baseball icon, shown here in dramatic post-swing anticipation in the later stages of his record-breaking career. Oversized examples of Ruth displaying his fabled Yankees batting power are quite rare and highly sought by collectors—an excellent opportunity to own a prodigious Babe-in-pinstripes autographed photo. Starting Bid $1000

Babe Ruth’s Own Book of Baseball— a scarce signed limited edition from 1928

925. Babe Ruth Signed Book. Highly desirable signed book: Babe Ruth’s Own Book of Baseball. First edition, limited issue, numbered 81/1000. NY: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1928. Hardcover, 5.5 x 8.25, 301 pages. Beautifully signed on the colophon in fountain pen, “’Babe’ Ruth.” A presentation inscription in another hand on the first free end page reads: “Presented to Adam Danish by the Linden Board of Education for Perfect Attendance, 1928-29.” Autographic condition: fine. Book condition: VG/ None, with a cracked front hinge, edgewear, rubbing to darkened spine, and scuffing to boards. Starting Bid $500

926. Babe Ruth Signed Check. Chemical Bank & Trust Co. check, 8.25 x 3.5, filled out and signed by Babe Ruth, “G. H. Ruth,” payable to Conte for $52.87, June 12, 1937. In very good to fine condition, with loss to the lower right corner, and an unobtrusive vertical tear repaired with tape on the reverse. Starting Bid $300

Elusive signed photo of the boxing legend

927. John L. Sullivan Signed Photograph. Very rare vintage matte-finish

3.75 x 5.75 photo of John L. Sullivan by the Apeda Studio of New York, affixed to the original 5 x 7 studio mount, signed and inscribed on the mount in black ink, “Compliments of John L. Sullivan to Robert Leggett.” Lower right bears the studio blindstamp. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder. In fine condition, with trimmed edges to mount, and the photo likely a replacement. Accompanied by full letters of authenticity from JSA and PSA/DNA. Signed photographs of Sullivan are exceedingly rare—the two examples offered in this auction represent the only two we have ever had. Starting Bid $300

917. International Olympics Committee 1996 Centennial Torch. Uncommon official International Olympic commit-

tee (IOC) centennial torch, constructed of aluminum and wood, measuring 21.75’ in length and 6’ at its widest point. The main body is ribbed in a fashion similar to the twenty-two reeds found on the Atlanta torch, with a band above the wooden handle engraved with the names of all the host cities and their dates since 1896; bottom ring slightly loose from band. An example of this unique torch was lit in Greece on March 30, 1996, and designed specifically for use at an event in Athens hosted by the Hellenic Olympic Committee to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first modern Games. Starting Bid $200