A treasure trove of autographed baseballs is set to go under the hammer at Hindman’s Having a Ball Auction in Chicago. Featuring over 570 lots, this auction offers an impressive selection of baseballs signed by some of the greatest players in the history of the game. From Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth to Lou Gehrig and Jackie Robinson, collectors will find an array of rare signatures from baseball Hall of Famers.
James Smith, the Director of Sports Memorabilia at Hindman, expressed his excitement about the collection, describing it as one of the most extensive and thrilling assortments ever presented by the auction house.
Among the standout pieces is a baseball signed by the 1934 New York Yankees, which holds particular significance as it marks Babe Ruth’s final year with the team. This ball boasts signatures from Ruth, his legendary teammate Lou Gehrig, and other Hall of Famers including Earle Combs and Tony Lazzeri. To ensure its authenticity, the ball comes with authentication letters from PSA and Beckett Authentication Services.
Another noteworthy item is a ball harking back to the deadball era, signed by a diverse group that includes Cy Young and the first baseball commissioner, Kennesaw “Mountain” Landis. What sets this ball apart is the addition of signatures from Mrs. Christy Mathewson and Mrs. John J. McGraw, making it an extraordinary collector’s item. The ball comes complete with a letter of authenticity from Beckett Authentication Services.
The auction also features several other highlights, such as a high-grade 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers team-signed ball, a 1957 Milwaukee Braves World Series championship ball, and a 1972 National League All-Star team ball signed by luminaries like Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron. Additionally, collectors can discover signed team balls from the 1930 and 1932 Philadelphia Athletics, featuring legends such as Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove.
The Having a Ball timed online auction is currently open for bids on Hindman’s website and Live Auctioneers. The lots are scheduled to close sequentially starting at 9 AM CT on November 29. To ensure fairness, the auction employs a system where if a bid is placed in the final minute before a lot is set to close, the bidding period is extended by five minutes, allowing all interested parties an equal opportunity to participate. It is important to note that this extended bidding process does not affect the closing times of other lots.
Don’t miss the chance to take home a piece of baseball history! Explore Hindman’s Having a Ball Auction and bid on these remarkable autographed baseballs from the game’s most iconic players.