Hindman’s Sports Memorabilia Department Sees Stellar Results in 2023
Sports collectibles and memorabilia continues to see incredible growth at Hindman—from 2021 to 2022, Sports Memorabilia sales increased by a remarkable 137%. 2023, in particular, has been a standout year for the firm, as we’ve already nearly matched our sales total of 2022.
In March 2023, Hindman sold an unopened box of 1986-1987 Fleer Basketball cards for $114,000, more than $30,000 above the pre-sale estimate. The unopened box featured 36 impeccably preserved packs of cards as originally issued by the factory before the 1986-87 NBA season, one of the most historically significant in the sport’s history. An unopened box presents the ultimate aura of mystery and potential value in the card collecting hobby as they may contain multiple valuable cards that are likely in Mint condition. Adding to the value of the box Hindman sold in March was a Baseball Card Exchange authentication that revealed that one of the packs contained a No. 57 Michael Jordan rookie card, perhaps the most coveted card in the hobby. Overall, across 84 lots, the March sale was impressively 94% sold by lot and 117% sold by value.
An October 26, 1984 Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Bullets Michael Jordan NBA Debut Ticket Stub / Chicago Stadium Box Office Example (PSA Authentic) Sold for $16,800
Similarly, our sale in June included cards and memorabilia from luminaries like Michael Jordan, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and LeBron James. Importantly, we offered an exceptional and ultra-rare example of a 1910 Honus Wagner Baseball Card (illustrated on the following page) which sold for $114,000. Only 32 examples of the 1910 Tip Top Bread Wagner have been certified by SGC Grading with this particular issue receiving a 3 Very Good designation. There are a total of seven 3s in the SGC population with only seven graded higher. Further, an October 26, 1984 Chicago Bulls vs. Washington Bullets Michael Jordan NBA Debut Ticket Stub realized $16,800 against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000 - 12,000.
An Unopened Box of 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Cards (36 Packs) Featuring All Original Wax Packs As Issued By Fleer With One Michael Jordan Rookie Card No. 57 Showing On Top of Pack and Four Jordan Stickers (BBCE Authenticated) Sold for $114,000
Additionally, given the broad appeal of the material, we also feature early sports photography and memorabilia in our American Historical Ephemera & Photography sales. For example, 19 cabinet cards of baseball players from the early 20th century skyrocketed past pre-sale expectations to sell for $100,800.
19 cabinet cards of baseball players, some representing Cleveland Offered in the American Historical Ephemera & Photography sale, and sold for $100,800
Looking ahead, Hindman is excited to present Having a Ball, a single-owner collection of signed baseballs curated to honor our National Pastime. Hindman’s Director of Sports Memorabilia, James Smith, says, “collectors will find legendary names featured like Ruth, Gehrig, and Cobb along with hard-to-find team signed issues from throughout the 20th century. The passion it took from this private collector to assemble this remarkable collection will undoubtedly make this auction a Fall Classic and a must for baseball enthusiasts and sports fans.” The star of the sale is a 1934 New York Yankees Team Signed Autograph Baseball, including the signature of Babe Ruth who was in his last season with the team, estimated to sell between $8,000 and $12,000.