In a curious turn of events that seems plucked from the plot of a feel-good film, an Ohio attic held secrets far beyond dusty memories. A simple cigar box, long forgotten in the shadowy eaves of a Northeast Ohio home, revealed itself to be something of a modern-day treasure chest. Its bounty? A massive collection of vintage baseball cards, including the vaunted likeness of Babe Ruth, that collectively fetched a jaw-dropping $120,000 at a recent online auction.
The unexpected discovery came courtesy of a pair of siblings, who prefer anonymity. As they embarked on the delicate task of sorting through their late parents’ belongings, they stumbled upon what would turn out to be a collector’s paradise. They had a suspicion that these weathered remnants from America’s favorite pastime might be worth something. Their hunch, as it happens, was spot on.
Stark County’s Kiko Auctions played host to this collector’s carnival, which commenced on May 28 and concluded on June 2. The event featured an astonishing 623 lots, with the lion’s share being baseball cards. Pride of place among them were more than 200 cards from the 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set, a true heavyweight in the realm of vintage sports memorabilia.
For any rookies in the card-collecting world, the 1933 Goudey set holds particular significance. It was the first collection to cleverly spark interest by adding a piece of chewing gum to each pack. This savvy marketing ploy not only boosted its popularity sky-high but also helped cement its status as a collectible goldmine. The set brims with legendary names, each card a piece of sporting history treasured by collectors.
When the final bids were called, the collection amassed $120,699 in winning bids. Factor in an additional 10% internet premium and a 6.5% sales tax, and the total value of these pieces of cardboard art soared beyond $140,000.
One particularly sharp-eyed bidder, whose identity we can only guess from their user ID, appeared to have snagged a significant portion of this sporting time capsule. The crown jewel in the collection? A 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card with a striking red background, which alone commanded a sum of $8,000. In total, five Babe Ruth cards were auctioned off for a combined pre-fee and pre-tax total of $35,250.
It’s worth noting that, intriguingly, none of these cards had received professional grading. What does this mean for the nascent owners, you ask? Well, they are engaging in a bit of a gamble; their new old cards might boast hidden gems or perhaps only fond memories. Such is the unpredictable lure of vintage card collecting — where the thrill of the chase rivals the treasure caught.
From its origins in a dusty Ohio attic to its highlighted status before an online audience of eager collectors scattered across who-knows-how-many continents, these relics from baseball’s storied past serve as a vivid reminder of the endurance of America’s national sport and the inherent power of nostalgia.
It seems even now, in the blink of a digital age where sporting feats can be watched and replayed at will, there’s still an undeniable magic in holding a piece of history in hand. Cards that survived nearly a century can still speak to those of us who pause to listen. They tell of afternoons under the summer sun, the roar of the crowd and the sound of bat connecting with ball, the thrill of a homerun.
For those fortunate enough to have laid claim to a piece of this auction, they are now the stewards of a legacy. Much like the famed Babe Ruth, whose swing electrified fans from coast to coast, these cards have traveled from a sleepy attic through cyberspace to new homes worldwide. Their value surpasses mere monetary worth; they represent a shared history of game heroes and childhood dreams — a testament to the heart of the sport and its enduring charm.
So, what does one do upon unearthing such attic treasures? Perhaps it’s as simple as waiting amidst wilderness, a testament to the treasures that might reside within our homes, museums of our own making. And who knows? Next time you’re digging through the attic, the berated basement, or rifling through that inevitable junk drawer — perhaps you’ll find a piece of the past waiting to become your golden ticket.
