In a heartwarming tale that sounds straight out of a collectors’ fairy tale, an inconspicuous attic in Northeast Ohio harbored a secret treasure all along. It wasn’t a pirate’s chest of gold or a vault stuffed with rare artifacts, but to baseball card enthusiasts, it might as well have been the Holy Grail. Encased in an unassuming old cigar box lay a pristine collection of vintage baseball cards, the shining star of which featured none other than the legendary Babe Ruth, lovingly known as “The Sultan of Swat.” This unexpected find didn’t just delight its discoverers; it managed to whip up a storm at a recent online auction conducted by Stark County’s Kiko Auctions, raking in a staggering $120,000.
The siblings behind this Cinderella story prefer to remain anonymous, but their serendipitous discovery unfolded as they sifted through their late parents’ belongings. Dusting off memories and memorabilia, they unearthed what one might call cardboard currency, with just a vague inkling that their find might hold some value. Enter Jack Kiko, the auctioneer with an eye for collectibles, who would guide these treasures into their second life.
The collection in question wasn’t a mere smorgasbord of randomness. It prominently featured cards from the 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set, which, for those initiated in the world of card collection, is akin to a mythical entity. It was the 1933 Goudey set that revolutionized the market by including a sweet bonus in the form of a chewing gum stick with each pack. This extra treat, coupled with cards picturing a bevy of baseball Hall of Famers, cemented its place in the annals of collector history as a highly coveted series.
As the digital gavel of Kiko Auctions virtually fell from May 28 through June 2, anticipation buzzed through the online bidding rooms. Out of the 623 lots on offer, it was evident that these baseball cards were the real show-stoppers. The numbers are not just staggering; they are a testament to how much nostalgia, Americana, and the legend of Babe Ruth continue to resonate deeply. The auction collectively garnered $120,699 from winning bids. Factor in the obligatory 10% internet premium and Ohio’s 6.5% sales tax, and the total expenditure for enthusiastic collectors ballooned beyond $140,000.
Among the sea of digital paddles raised, one particular bidder seemed to have their eyes set on capturing the magic of Babe Ruth. With a user ID that could rival any card shark’s pseudonym in its mystery, this bidder secured a slice of baseball history by winning multiple Babe Ruth cards from the Goudey set. The crown jewel of this acquisition was a card featuring Babe Ruth against a striking red backdrop, which alone fetched a cool $8,000. Altogether, five Ruth cards accounted for a hefty $35,250, not including the additional fees and taxes.
While the conditions of these cards varied — a testament to their age and legacy — none had been professionally graded. This added a layer of intrigue and a sprinkle of risk to the proceedings. After all, in the vintage card game, sometimes the thrill is not just in the chase but in the unknown estimate’s promise. Collectors who laid down significant sums without the assurance of professional grading revealed both their faith in the cards’ history and the hope of discovering a mint-condition piece that could be valued at significantly higher prices.
Thus, from a tucked-away attic in the heart of the Buckeye State, these relics have journeyed into the hands of collectors who see them as priceless pieces of baseball’s storied past. It’s a journey that encapsulates the unique alchemy of nostalgia, rarity, and the evergreen appeal of America’s favorite pastime. Who knew an attic’s forgotten trove could serve up vintage legends on small cardboard canvases and hit a home run among today’s passionate collectors? America’s love affair with baseball and its heroes endures, one memorabilia at a time.