The autographs aren't the only showtime inclusions when it comes to Shohei Ohtani cards found in boxes of 2018 Bowman today.

His basic Rookie Cards, their parallels and, of course, all that ink are commanding more money than you might think, showing us all that the interest in the two-way rookie from Japan is building with every start -- no matter where it's at on the field.

Oh, and there's still that $60,000 offer on the Superfractor in case you pull it, too. (And it's been upped to $70,000 if it's pulled over on BlowoutTV.)

But what about all those new eBay listings?

Continue reading →

The Shohei Ohtani show isn't just limited to his newest cardboard.

A shouldn't-have-been-released copy of his 2017 Bowman Chrome Mega Box Refractor is on the auction block and ends tonight -- oh and it's a perfect black-label BGS 10 version of the card only found in 2017 Bowman Mega Boxes where it was mistakenly released, meaning it's rare on top of rare.

How much is is going for?

Continue reading →

As you may have seen here via The Buzz Twitter account last night, a PSA 9 copy of Mickey Mantle's iconic 1952 Topps baseball card sold for a whopping $2.88 million via Heritage Auctions. 

It set a new record for The Mick but came up short of the record of $3.12 million set by a PSA 5 copy of the famed T206 Honus Wagner tobacco card.

“The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is more than just a baseball card, it is pop culture art and the symbol of the card-collecting hobby itself,” said PSA President Joe Orlando. “This new auction record is not only a record for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or any post-WWII baseball card, it is now the new standard for any card other than the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner."

Continue reading →

Depending on your age, you might not know the name Jack Smalling -- but he wrote the book on through-the-mail autograph collecting back in the day when most autographs weren't just a click away.

While The Baseball Autograph Collector's Handbook is up to its 19th edition today with addresses for more than 90 percent of known living major leaguers, coaches and umpires inside, it's the fruits of his publishing passion -- his autographs -- that are on the auction block in one single lot coming to the auction from Heritage Auctions next month.

"Many, if not most, of Smalling's greatest successes came from trails long since gone cold, but when Smalling first took up his hobby in 1962, quite a few Dead Ball Era legends still walked the Earth," said the auction listing. "And if not the players themselves, then their children or grandchildren, pleased in that pre-Internet age that somewhere, someone still remembered the man. They were all too happy to drop a cancelled check or a clipping from an old lease into the supplied self-addressed, stamped envelope in fulfillment of Smalling's request. More than a half century later, Smalling's collection of autographs numbers in the six figures."

Continue reading →

Update (April 19): After 21 bids, the card stood at $2.88 million as it entered the extended bidding window (30 minute sessions).

--

The Mick is about to take on the record books once again.

A PSA 9 copy of Mickey Mantle's iconic 1952 Topps baseball card is on the auction block via Heritage Auctions and its bidding is already in seven figures as we count down the minutes until its close later this week.

Just five other copies of the card have graded this high among more than 1,500 slabbed by PSA and just three have scored higher. It's estimated to sell for more than $3.5 million by the auction house, given recent demand for lower grades, and that would put it atop the list of best-selling baseball cards -- atop even top sales of Honus Wagner's T206 tobacco card.

"This card is a towering symbol of American exceptionalism, from its celebration of our national pastime to the fearless ambition of creator Sy Berger's vision to the exaltation of a culture that could elevate a poor kid from the Oklahoma coal mines to the pinnacle of fame and acclaim," said the auction house's listing. "It is 10 square inches of the American dream, preserved virtually flawlessly for eternity. It is a commodity recognized and coveted by millions, yet available to only a tiny handful of the most-sophisticated collectors."

Continue reading →

One of the rarest cards of baseball legend Ty Cobb has a new known specimen -- and it's the eighth copy to be found in one location.

It's a 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb with a Ty Cobb back and it was found by the same family that previously discovered a stash of cards known as "The Lucky Seven" two years ago. This eighth card has been graded and authenticated by PSA this week and will remain with the family. It was found between two books from the home of a relative who owned the other cards.

“The family’s intent is to keep this latest addition as a memento,” Rick Snyder, owner of MINT State, who initially reviewed the cards before submitting each of them to PSA for authentication and grading, told PSA. “It’s a family heirloom that reminds them of an event that changed their lives forever.”

Continue reading →

It's no secret that original comic book art has exploded in demand and value in the last decade or so and that dominance continues near-daily with one-of-a-kind pieces trading hands both privately and on the auction block.

But sometimes the examples that command big money aren't classic first appearances from the past or the work of artists on the Mount Rushmore of past greats.

Sometimes they're the from the masters of today -- and one such example is on the ComicLink auction block right now.

Continue reading →

A uniform worn by Babe Ruth is on the auction block and it's not yet surpassed the $100,000 mark with a couple days to go before the final gavel.

There's little doubt that Ruth's 1945 Esquire All-America Game coaching uniform will get there, though, as it's estimated by Heritage Auctions to top $200,000.

And that's nothing compared to what his New York Yankees jerseys have sold for, making this one a bargain.

Continue reading →

A trio of autographs from a tech icon are on the auction block and the potential demand -- and the estimated values -- might surprise you.

The signer? Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who by many accounts wasn't interesting in signing autographs. The former CEO and chairman helped bring the Apple Mac, iPod and iPhones to life along with plenty of other iconic gadgets before he died at age 56 in 2011.

“Identifying Jobs as a reluctant signer is a major understatement,” said Steve Sloan, vice president of PSA/DNA, which authenticated all three pieces in an upcoming RR Auction sale. “And for us to be able to authenticate three of his signatures inside of a month is truly a rarity.”

Continue reading →

The biggest comic book in history is on the auction block -- and there's already plenty of bidding action.

Bidding action on Action Comics No. 1? Shocker.

This CGC Conserved 7.0 copy of Superman's debut from June 1938 is pushing $300,000 with two weeks to go on the auction block over at ComicLink -- and the reserve isn't even yet met.

In fact, according to the auctioneers, "the Overstreet Price Guide lists this issue in 7.0 Universal condition for $855,000 but today would likely sell for well over $1 million. At this point, even a low-grade Universal (2.0-3.0) example would ballpark at about $500,000. With a bright look, largely unblemished images, straight edges and minimal corner wear, this is the most attractive Action Comics No. 1 example that a collector will find at this price."

Continue reading →

The first jersey that Boston Red Sox Andrew Benintendi wore for his first official game commanded big money on the auction block over the weekend, reinforcing that last year's Rookie of the Year crop went deeper than just that one New York Yankees guy.

This jersey sold for $14,730 after 19 bids via Goldin Auctions after opening at just $1,000 -- and that was enough to make one wonder if there might be more action to come for the cards of the ROY runner-up in his sophomore season.

Continue reading →

Even if Tom Brady doesn't get his sixth Super Bowl ring on Sunday, his Rookie Cards from 2000 will remain the hottest cards in the hobby as it's become abundantly clear that he's The One to those who target the all-time elite on cardboard.

The biggest challenge to chasing Brady RCs isn't really finding them -- you can, but they're not cheap -- the biggest challenge of them all might be finding wax boxes where you can pull one yourself.

But we've got a shot for you to do it over on the main site.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

A young Boston Red Sox star's first jersey is on the auction block.

That star is Andrew Benintendi and it's a jersey worn and MLB-authenticated for his MLB debut on Aug. 2, 2016. Not only that, it's also authenticated to a second game later that month by MLB and is believed to have been worn for his first career home run, too.

Continue reading →

When Tom Brady or Nick Foles touch a football for the first time on Sunday in Super Bowl LII, they won't be the first to handle them.

Beyond game preparations and handling each ball for the biggest NFL game of the year will have been "tagged" by PSA/DNA with synthetic DNA ink. There are approximately 100 footballs prepped to be used at some point during the game and those aren't the only items authenticated by the company, which has been doing this for the Super Bowl for more than a decade.

Continue reading →

Simply put, Spider-Man continues to amaze.

This CGC 7.0 copy of Amazing Fantasy No. 15 from August 1962 is the first appearance of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, in the Marvel Comics universe, and it's also one of the most-coveted comic books in existence.

This current copy? It's pushing six-figures with time to go on the auction block.

Continue reading →

A Super Bowl LI ring issued to a member of Tom Brady's family is up for grabs right now via Goldin Auctions.

The size 10.5 world champions ring weighs 77.3 grams and is identical to the one issued to the quarterback who led his New England Patriots to a shocking come-from-behind overtime victory against the Atlanta Falcons a year ago. It's a 10 karat white-gold ring with 260 diamonds worked into the design.

It's believed to be the first ring or award tied to Brady to be hit the open market, and bidding opened at $20,000 -- and there's already action with the bidding.

Continue reading →

A fun and so far inexpensive piece of pop culture history has hit the auction block via Heritage Auctions and it's a bit bananas.

B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

It's some artwork form Dan Fraga, an artist who also has worked in comic books and television, and they're the storyboards for the "Hollaback Girl" video from Gwen Stefani -- one of the hits from her debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. back in 2005.

Continue reading →

It's not perfect, but it's the only one that exists -- and it's on the auction block right now.

It's the 1/1 Masterpiece Edition parallel of Tom Brady's 2000 Fleer Ultra Rookie Card and it's hit eBay with a Buy it Now price that just needs to be seen to be believed.

Continue reading →

It's the iconic autographed Rookie Card of the iconic player of today -- and maybe any day -- and it just keeps commanding big money at auction in high-grade.

It's the 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket autograph of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

And this PSA 10 copy? Well, it recently sold for $85,000 on eBay -- and it's not alone.

Continue reading →

It was today back in 1969 that New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath delivered on his guaranteed upset of the Baltimore Colts -- and next month an elite specimen of his best football card will hit the auction block.

It's a PSA 9 copy of his 1965 Topps Rookie Card, and it's one of just five cards to get that grade -- and none have ever graded higher.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

It's not new and fresh from a pack, but the price tag attached?

Well, it's a jaw-dropper.

It's a nearly perfect copy of Nolan Ryan's 1968 Topps Rookie Card -- a hobby classic that's chased by both New Yorkers who remember his early days with an iconic World Series-winning team, but also the fans of a rugged Texan who struck out more players than anyone else in MLB history. (And maybe by a few Jerry Koosman fans, too.)

Is it worth that? Perhaps to the right deep-pocketed collector -- but maybe not for that much, though Ryan was MLB's first million-dollar-a-year player when he signed with the Houston Astros in 1980.

Continue reading →

A series of MLB auctions will help a college student via a scholarship fund in the memory of a long-time MLB executive and get fans closer to the game in some interesting ways.

The auctions include all types of experiences and all wrap up soon -- this Thursday.

Continue reading →

It's not in perfect condition, it's not Exquisite Collection and it's not LeBron James, but this card was in big demand this past weekend via Goldin Auctions. 

This BGS 8.5 copy of Dwyane Wade's 2003-04 SP Authentic SP Extra Limited autograph card -- the only one made -- put up a pretty big number this weekend.

Continue reading →