PSA authenticated or graded 10 of most-expensive items sold in 2017

Just 10 of the most-notable items in the sports world that were sold in 2017 totaled more than $6.7 million in sales, ranging from the $1.68 million Norman Rockwell piece you see here to high-grade copies of Mickey Mantle‘s iconic 1952 Topps card.

And they all had one thing in common — PSA or PSA/DNA authentication.

“We certified a myriad of incredible items last year, and the list is full of sports history from top to bottom,” said Professional Sports Authenticator VP Steve Sloan. “We’ll continue pushing ourselves toward another great year in 2018, and look forward to what’s in store.”

The Newport Beach, Calif.-based company recently took the time to examine the markets last year and touted its Top 10 for 2017. Keep reading to see everything on the list.

Rashaan Salaam’s Heisman Trophy auction to benefit CTE research

Update: It sold for $399,608 after 24 bids.

—

SCP Auctions will auction a Heisman Trophy next month and all net proceeds from the sale will be donated to CTE research.

It’s the 1994 Heisman awarded to the late Colorado Buffaloes and Chicago Bears star Rashaan Salaam, who died last year at age 42.

Second pair of Michael Jordan Converse shoes from 1984 Olympics sells for big money via SCP Auctions

What’s rarer than the rarified air of a pair of Michael Jordan game-used shoes?

A pair of Michael Jordan game-used Converse shoes — and the latest pair of shoes from the 1984 Olympics to sell via SCP Auctions went for nearly six-figures at auction following a record-setting sale earlier this year. 

Michael Jordan’s ballboy trade treasure hits auction block via SCP

A pair of Michael Jordan‘s game-used shoes gifted to a Utah Jazz ballboy in exchange for a pair of tickets are hitting the auction block.

They’re being sold by SCP Auctions and they were worn on Feb. 1, 1993, when Jordan’s Bulls knocked off the Jazz, 96-92.

Now, about that trade …

SCP Auctions’ newest sale launches with new legends, vintage icons

The newest SCP Auctions event launched this week with some items that defy the imagination — items that you probably wouldn’t imagine them to still exist, let alone be up for grabs.

Some of them, such as this 2013 Fresno State Aaron Judge game-used jersey, open with more modest prices of $4,000, while college classics such as a Lew Alcindor game-used UCLA jersey is already at $44,288 after less than a day of active bidding.

But the leader in the clubhouse among the more than 900 lots? It’s a baseball card.

Mel Ott game-used memorabilia hitting market via SCP Auctions

Game-used memorabilia from one of baseball’s greatest sluggers is hitting the auction block next month.

SCP Auctions will be handling the sale of several items from Mel Ott, a Hall of Famer who hit 511 home runs and led the National League in long balls six times during a 22-year career — all with the New York Giants.

“It’s our pleasure to auction off these items from Mel Ott’s family,” says SCP Auctions President David Kohler. “He truly was a baseball treasure and we look forward to seeing how the bidding goes.”

Two O.J. Simpson driver’s licenses will hit auction block via SCP

Does the run on O.J. Simpson memorabilia begin now?

The Hall of Fame running back was granted parole Thursday afternoon in Nevada after spending nine years in prison for armed robbery involving two sports memorabilia dealers in Las Vegas. Before that, he was acquitted in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in 1995.

Not long after the new news on Thursday, one auction house had its own Simpson news. SCP Auctions will sell a pair of Simpson’s driver’s licenses in auctions in October — one issued to him in 1995 — around the same time that Simpson will be released.

Michael Jordan’s game-used Converse shoes from 1984 Olympics already setting record via SCP

Update (June 11): The shoes sold for $190,373 after the auction closed this weekend.

They’re not Air Jordans but they’re already in some rare air as an SCP Auctions clock counts down.

They’re Michael Jordan’s game-worn and dual-signed Converse shoes from the 1984 Olympics — specifically the gold-medal-winning-game against Spain — and they’re on the auction block and already have set a record for a pair of game-used shoes. And that’s with more than two days remaining before the auction closes.

How much?

Willie Stargell auction includes prime pieces from Pops’ career

It’s been more than 16 years since the baseball world lost “Pops,” aka Hall of Famer Willie Stargell, at age 61.

During a lengthy big-league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he was a World Series champ, a National League MVP and even Sports Illustrated‘s Man of the Year — and all those awards and more are up for grabs via SCP Auctions right now.

And there are even some impressive yet unusual items that some baseball fans might not even know about also available in the sale.

SCP Auctions readies for sale of ‘original Wagner’ later this month

Update (June 11): This card sold for $609,294 at auction.

—

A low-grade Honus Wagner T206 baseball card with a lengthy lineage in the hobby is hitting the auction block as part of a meaty collection of vintage cardboard.

The J. Ross Greene Collection will be handled by SCP Auctions later this month and it includes “a lifetime accumulation of cards and memorabilia honoring diamond and gridiron greats from the turn of the century to the modern era” and “boasts more than 100,000 pre-war and post-war baseball and football cards” with many of them in runs of complete sets.

MLB’s founding documents will hit auction block via SCP next month

MLB‘s founding documents are hitting the auction block this spring as SCP Auctions is handling yet another historic sale.

This time, it’s a 74-page hand-written artifact — the original constitution of The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs — that outlines its objectives. Among them are to “encourage, foster and elevate the game of baseball, enact and enforce proper rules for the exhibition and conduct of the game, to make baseball playing respectable and honorable, to protect and promote the mutual interests of professional baseball clubs and professional baseball players and to establish and regulate the ‘Baseball Championship of the United States.'”

This follows the sale of the 1857 “Laws of Base Ball” for $3.26 million one year ago today by the Laguna Niguel, Calif.-based company

More of Tony Gwynn’s legendary memorabilia hits market via SCP

Nearly 30 lots of memorabilia from one of MLB’s most-legendary hitters has hit the auction block — the balls from his first home run and his 3,000th hit, his Hall of Fame ring, his Silver Slugger awards and plenty more could soon be in collectors’ hands.

That legend is Tony Gwynn and Laguna Niguel, Calif.-based SCP Auctions is handling this second sale of his estate’s memorabilia. Just like before, a portion of the sales will will go to the Tony & Alicia Gwynn Foundation, which focuses on improving opportunities for kids.

“My husband was a man of honor and integrity who really wanted to make a difference in this world,” said Alicia Gwynn, the Hall of Famer’s widow. “Just like the first auction, this one serves two objectives: to share his baseball memorabilia with the fans who loved him and to give something back to the city that treated us so well.”

Vince Lombardi memorabilia to hit auction block via SCP in January

A number of treasures from the career of Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi will be hitting the auction block in January via SCP Auctions, which is handling the sale of the items for his family.

Among them are championship rings, a congratulatory telegram and other personal items all consigned by the late coach’s only son.

“It is truly an honor for SCP Auctions to put these items up for bid on behalf of the Lombardi Family,” said SCP President David Kohler.

SCP Auctions to sell George Blanda memorabilia collection in January

A number of championship rings, awards and game balls from the career of a Hall of Fame quarterback are headed to the auction block in January.

George Blanda‘s 26-year career as a quarterback and kicker included three AFL championships and a league MVP award — and the spoils of those successes will be sold via Laguna Niguel, Calif.-based SCP Auctions. 

Rare Joe Jackson card sells for $667,189 via SCP Auctions

The legend of “Shoeless Joe” lives on.

A PSA 8 copy of Joe Jackson‘s 1909 E90-1 American Caramel card rocked the auction block on Sunday morning and, along with one other high-grade icon from the past topped a combined $1.1 million in an SCP Auctions sale.

The Jackson sold for $667,189 and is one of only two cards to receive that grade and none are higher.

”We are thrilled with the results of our biggest summer auction to date,” said SCP Auctions Vice President Dan Imler. “The market for ‘best of the best’ sports cards and historic memorabilia continues to show incredible strength.”

Gordie Howe game-used Detroit Red Wings sweater heating up at auction

“Mr. Hockey” wore plenty of sweaters during his more than 30 seasons on the ice as a professional, but it’s still a big deal when one of his gamers hits the auction block.

This one’s a $64,843 big deal — though that still sounds like a bargain — with more than a week to go in an SCP Auctions sale of the Detroit Red Wings gamer once worn and signed by Hall of Famer Gordie Howe, who owned most notable NHL records until some kid named Wayne Gretzky came along. Howe died earlier this summer at age 88.

“In the field of game-worn hockey jerseys this is a pinnacle artifact,” said Dan Imler, who is SCP’s vice president, “[it’s one] worthy of museum exhibition.”

Heat NBA championship ring given to Dwyane Wade’s former mother-in-law heads to auction block

NBA star Dwayne Wade is in the headlines as he’s looking for a new contract either to remain with the Miami Heat or join forces with other free agents elsewhere, but no matter where he signs he’ll have enough scratch to land himself another NBA championship ring.

This one belonged to his former mother-in-law and it will be up for sale in August via SCP Auctions.

“Laws of Base Ball” documents sell for $3.26 million via SCP Auctions

A previously unknown batch of 1857 baseball documents fetched $3.26 million on Sunday via SCP Auctions, which sold a set of “Laws of Base Ball” papers — items that pre-date Alexander Cartwright‘s contributions to the game.

It’s not quite a record-holder for historic sports documents, but it’s not shabby considering its auction history. According to the Laguna Niguel, Calif.-based auction house, these documents were first found as part of a 1999 manuscript auction with minimal details in their listing and bought without them having been researched. It was tucked away after a $12,650 purchase until recently.

Dr. James Naismith‘s “Rules of Basketball” from 1891 sold for $4.3 million, while the “Rules of Soccer” from 1859 sold for $1.4 million.

Auction Gallery: Championship rings are the thing in current SCP sale

The current SCP Auctions sale includes items from the personal collections of Baseball Hall of Famer Don Drysdale and collections of memorabilia that include plenty of other big names, but it’s a selection of championship rings here that’s highlight-worthy.

Below is a gallery of 18 rings up for sale now and ending on April 23. Click below to enter the gallery, get a closer look, see who’s owned them and what the bidding sits at now.

Follow BlowoutBuzz on Twitter @BlowoutBuzz.

>> Click here to buy baseball cards on BlowoutCards.com.

Lot #516 Harmon Killebrew’s 1965 Minnesota Twins American League Championship Ring (Killebrew COA) — Opening bid: $20,000

Lot #77 Don Drysdale’s 1965 Los Angeles Dodgers World Champions 14k Gold Ring (Drysdale Collection) — Current bid: $24,159

Lot #67 Don Drysdale’s 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers World Champions 14k Gold Ring (Drysdale Collection) — Current bid: $24,159

Lot #517 Harmon Killebrew’s 1987 Minnesota Twins World Series Ring in Original Presentation Box — Current bid: $10,000

Lot #15 Don Drysdale’s 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers National League Champions 10k Gold Ring (Drysdale Collection) — Current bid: $13,310

Lot #1143 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XLIIIChampionship Ring Presented to Player Dallas Baker – Only SB XLIII Ring Ever Offered Publicly! — Current bid: $32,157

Lot #1133 1993 Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl XXVIII Champions 10k Gold Ring Issued to Linebacker Godfrey Myles — Current bid: $14,619

Lot #477 Duke Snider’s 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers National League Champions 10k Gold Ring (Snider COA) — Current bid: $12,081

Lot #775 2009 New York Yankees 14k Gold World Series Championship Ring (Staff) — Current bid: $9.983

Lot #1142 2007 New York Giants Super Bowl XLII Championship Ring Presented to WR Brandon London (London LOA) — Current bid: $16,081

Lot #809 1969 New York Mets World Series Champions 10k Gold Ring Issued To Director of Player Development & Future Gm Bob Scheffing (Scheffing Collection) — Current bid: $10,721

Lot #614 2010 San Francisco Giants World Series Champions 14k Gold Ring Presented to Vida Blue — Current bid: $14,272

Lot #1118 1983 Los Angeles Raiders Super Bowl XVIII World Championship Ring Presented to Linebacker Tony Caldwell — Current bid: $7,321

Lot #758 1978 New York Yankees World Series Championship 14k Gold Staff Ring — Current bid: $6,655

Lot #1060 2010 Los Angeles Lakers NBA World Championship “A Version” Ring Presented to Scout (Boyson) — Current bid: $5,857

Lot #1002 1955-56 Philadelphia Warriors World Championship 14k Gold Ring — Current bid: $4,235

Lot #584 1997 Florida Marlins World Series Champions 10k Gold Staff Ring — Current bid: $4,659

Lot #139 Don Drysdale’s 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Champions 14k Gold Ring (Drysdale Collection) — Current bid: $10,721

Documents with origins of baseball’s rules to hit auction via SCP in April

Update: The documents sold for $3.26 million.

Dr. James Naismith‘s “Rules of Basketball” from 1891 sold for $4.3 million, while the “Rules of Soccer” from 1859 sold for $1.4 million.

What might previously unknown 1857 baseball documents fetch?

That’s what we’ll find out soon via SCP Auctions as a set of “Laws of Base Ball” documents from 1857 — documents that pre-date Alexander Cartwright‘s contributions to the game — will hit the market in April.

The author here is Daniel Lucius “Doc” Adams, who was the President of the New York Knickerbockers, and the documents’ origin has been researched by John Thorn, who has been the official MLB historian since 2011. The documents note guidelines such as the length of base paths, number of players on the field, a nine-inning game and more.

“When Doc Adams set to work in late 1856, none of these aspects of the game were settled,” Thorn said. “This was some seven years after Cartwright had left New York for Hawaii, never to return. For his role in making baseball the success it is, Doc Adams may now be counted as first among the Founding Fathers of Baseball.

“No earlier baseball manuscript of this significance has ever come onto the open market,” Thorn said. “In 1857, baseball made its great leap forward, and these are the documents that reveal what it was like to be present at the creation.”

Gallery: Don Drysdale collection coming to market via SCP Auctions

More than 20 years after his death, the memorabilia of Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Dodgers pitching great Don Drysdale is coming to auction.

The sale will be handled by Laguna Niguel, Calif.-based SCP Auctions and will open on April 6 with more than 1,000 lots as part of the overall event.

“We feel honored to have been chosen by the Drysdale family to bring this extraordinary collection to auction,” said SCP Auctions President David Kohler. “Don was among the most accomplished and revered pitchers in Major League Baseball history and his impressive assemblage of awards and accolades speaks volumes as to his winning ways out on the mound.”

Ben Roethlisberger auction via SCP to benefit K-9 units & service dogs

Five lots in a sale via SCP Auctions that close on Saturday are unique in a few ways.

First, they are all items from Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Second, for each of them a part of the proceeds will go to his foundation that supports K-9 units and service dogs of police and fire departments throughout the U.S.

What are the items? Well, they’re all game-used for starters.

Auction Buzz: Jo Jo White sale via SCP includes Hall of Famer’s rings & plenty more basketball brilliance

Jo Jo White was a Kansas Jayhawk before he was a Boston Celtic and an NBA-championship winner inducted into the Hall of Fame. Since then, he’s also worked in the Celtics’ front office.

A 25-lot sale open now via SCP Auctions includes memorabilia from all those times, including his Converse College All-America honors, two replacement rings for his titles with the Boston Celtics (the originals were lost) and his honorary 2008 Celtics championship ring from when he worked for the team.

Auction Buzz: Michael Jordan’s final Bulls home jersey, big bats top sales + PSA 10 George Mikan sale coming

Michael Jordan‘s final jersey worn for a regular-season home game as a member of the Chicago Bulls netted a new record for a piece of Jordan memorabilia with a sale price of $173,240 this weekend after 17 bids in Goldin Auctions‘ latest sale.

It wasn’t the only six-figure sale of the weekend, either.