In a tale that would bring envy to any treasure hunter, an unsuspecting pair of siblings unearthed a nostalgic goldmine in the form of vintage baseball cards from their late parents’ attic in Northeast Ohio. Like a long-lost memory suddenly reclaimed, these pieces of cardboard history bore the likeness of none other than baseball legend Babe Ruth. This extraordinary find didn’t just stir memories of America’s pastime; it transformed into a financial home run when the cards were sold for a stunning $120,000 at an online auction orchestrated by Stark County’s very own Kiko Auctions.
The sellers, who opted to maintain their anonymity, discovered this trove wrapped in the familiar guise of an old cigar box. It was a seemingly innocuous container perched amidst forgotten relics of their family’s past. But unlike the usual attic contents — dusty books and old toys — this box held far greater value than sentimentality alone.
According to auctioneer Jack Kiko, the discovery awoke a sense of curiosity tinged with foresight—the siblings suspected that these vintage cards might fetch a hefty price. Their intuition proved savvy; the cards brought in an impressive chunk of change at the auction block, where bidders far and wide engaged in spirited competition to claim a piece of sporting history.
The fastidious folks at Canton Repository dove into the logistics behind this exciting sale. Officially launching on May 28 and running until June 2, the auction showcased a whopping 623 lots. While the majority included baseball cards, the spotlight belonged to the prestigious 1933 Goudey Big League Gum collection—an iconic series revered among card collectors for its innovation.
For newcomers diligently learning the card-collecting lingo, the 1933 Goudey set holds a special place in hobbyist hearts. Not only was it the first to supplement each pack with that delightful addition, a stick of gum, but its saturated roster of Hall of Fame athletes renders it an essential for the dedicated collector. It’s a testament to both marketing ingenuity and the enduring allure of baseball nostalgia.
When the virtual gavel finally descended, buyers had amassed a substantial tally of $120,699 in winning bids. Yet, when factoring in a 10% internet bidder’s premium alongside the local 6.5% sales tax, the aggregate investment swelled to exceed $140,000. Amongst the anonymous purchasers, one particularly shrewd bidder, identifiable only by their user ID, walked away significantly heavier in prized collectibles.
A milestone moment in the auction was the sale of a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card, its impressive portrait set against a vibrant red background. This card alone commanded a remarkable winning bid of $8,000. In total, five Ruth cards emerged victorious, collectively drawing an eye-watering $35,250 pre-fees and taxes.
While varying in condition, none of the cards had undergone professional grading, which means the winning bidders dove into this venture with a shared thrill and gamble—adding an extra layer of intrigue to the already tantalizing world of vintage card collecting. A genuineness of spirit pervades this sector of collecting; it speaks as much to the passion for the game and its heroes as it does to the collector’s warrior-like pursuit of rare artifacts.
Thus, a seemingly ordinary moment of attic discovery in Ohio transformed into an internet-fueled spectacle, captivating collectors across the globe. The unexpected ascent of these cards to the prestigious heights of the online auction serves as a vibrant reminder that America’s pastime, swathed in a delightful cloak of nostalgia, continues to wield its magic bat, hitting it out of both hearts and bank accounts.
