Heritage Auctions is setting the stage for a thrilling event with their upcoming Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction on July 12-13. A lineup of rare and highly sought-after baseball cards is stealing the show, including a mint-condition 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson card, a gem-mint Michael Jordan Fleer rookie card, and a chrome rookie card signed by a young Bryce Harper. The auction also features sealed packs, boxes, and cases teeming with hidden gems, inviting collectors to embark on a treasure hunt.
One of the standout pieces in this auction is a unique collection of 1959 baseball cards once attached to containers of Canadian cookies by Dad’s Cookies. These incredibly rare cards, with only 69 in the PSA population report, feature 37 cards showcasing baseball legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Yogi Berra. The historical significance of these Dad’s Cookies cards adds an extra layer of intrigue to the auction, with Heritage’s Executive Vice President in Sports, Joe Orlando, emphasizing their appeal to both veteran collectors and hobbyists alike.
The Dad’s Cookies cards were created by the Exhibits Supply Company in 1959 as promotional items stapled to cookie packages, each bearing a note encouraging kids to collect all 64 “autographed” pictures of big-league baseball stars. The rarity of these cards stems from their distribution method and limited surviving examples, making them a coveted find for collectors seeking hidden treasures.
Adding to the allure of the auction are two sought-after Ty Cobb T206 cards from the early 1900s, including the El Principe de Gales Ty Cobb and the American Beauty Portrait-Red Cobb. These cards are graded with exceptional rarity, with the American Beauty Portrait-Red Cobb being the highest-graded example of its kind. Orlando emphasizes the significance of these Cobbs in the world of T206 collecting, highlighting their desirability among enthusiasts.
Collectors can also look forward to sealed boxes and cases in the auction, such as the 1970 Topps Baseball Wax Box and the 2015 Upper Deck Hockey Series 1 Hobby Unopened Case. These items offer a nostalgic trip back in time and the excitement of discovering hidden treasures within each unopened pack. As Orlando describes it, these boxes hold the promise of uncovering a piece of one’s childhood frozen in time, making the experience all the more thrilling.
The auction also features newer boxes and cases, like the 2020 Panini Flawless Football Factory Sealed Case, which present collectors with the opportunity to find rare cards like the Connor McDavid rookie card. Orlando acknowledges the thrill of opening these boxes and unlocking the mystery within, a practice that adds an element of courage and excitement to the collecting process.
Heritage Auctions’ Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction is gearing up to be an unforgettable experience for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, offering a chance to acquire some of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards in existence. With a mix of classic treasures and modern finds, this auction promises excitement, nostalgia, and the thrill of the unexpected for collectors of all levels.
