Unbeknownst to modern-day treasure hunters, an unassuming cigar box perched in the nook of a Northeast Ohio attic was quietly cradling a fortune. This simple container once meant for cheroots turned into a proverbial treasure chest; stacked within its dusty confines was a veritable goldmine in the world of vintage baseball cards, headlined by cards featuring the legendary Babe Ruth himself. The windfall occurred during an online auction orchestrated by the wizards at Stark County’s Kiko Auctions, drawing in an eye-watering $120,000 for the sellers.
The current caretakers of this slice of Americana were a pair of siblings, anonymous by request, who happened upon this forgotten trove while sifting through memorabilia left by their late parents. Auctioneer extraordinaire, Jack Kiko, was on hand to see the magic unfold, noting that the family had a sneaking suspicion they were onto something potentially valuable. Spoiler alert: they were bang on the money.
In cahoots with local powerhouse The Canton Repository, numbers were crunched, and here’s what they found. The auction was no quick affair, kicking off on May 28 and steadily humming along until June 2. Within those days of digital fury, a whopping 623 lots traded virtual hands. Of significant note, over 200 of these lots hailed from the revered 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set — a heavyweight champion within the card collector’s universe.
Casting back to the 1933 Goudey’s origins, this particular set staked its claim to fame by pioneering the sweetening of card packs with sticks of gum. This simple act inflated its popularity akin to a home run leaving the park. What solidified its legendary status wasn’t just confectionery but its litany of Hall of Famers who elevated it to must-have status for anyone waving their collector’s flag.
The auction’s grand finale saw bidders had their checkbooks singing, culminating in fearless buyers parting with a collective $120,699. Yet, this was only the ticket price. Once the bonus 10% internet premium and a savory 6.5% sales tax were tallied, the ultimate spend soared past $140,000. But what is a few extra thousands when the prize is the Sultan of Swat himself?
For those prowling the virtual auction room, there was a notable winner — deciphered from the user ID — amassing a solid slice of the auction pie. The crown jewel of this hoard was a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card set against an invigorating red backdrop, pocketing a cool $8,000. In all, five different Babe Ruth cards took a commanding $35,250, this before administrators applied their taxing touches.
Of course, in the ungraded depths of the baseball card universe, purchasing comes with its own pinches of risk. Condition inspections were missing their stamp of professional approval, akin to buying a car with only the owner’s word on mileage. But for the die-hard card enthusiast, part of the thrill lies in those calculated gambles.
As winds sift through the rafters of Ohio attics and online auctions beam sporting relics onto screens across the world, this episode serves as a potent reminder. Not only does America’s pastime continue to resonate strongly, rewarding the brave and lucky with financial home runs, it underscores that the ghosts of baseball’s golden era are as captivating as ever. So for a family of plucky siblings, an auction house, and a few deep-pocketed collectors, the echoes of “Play Ball!” and the taste of gum endure, reminding us all that indeed some treasures come wrapped in cardboard rather than shimmering gold.
