Sometimes treasures aren’t buried in ancient tombs or sunken pirate ships; sometimes, they’re nestled among old keepsakes, forgotten in an attic. Such was the case in Northeast Ohio, where siblings stumbled upon a cigar box filled not with cigars, but with vintage baseball cards that read more like a roster of legends than mere collectibles. They didn’t just hit pay dirt—they hit a grand slam out of the park with a $120,000-plus haul at auction.
Sorting through their departed parents’ belongings, the siblings, who preferred to remain anonymous, discovered a veritable time capsule of America’s favorite pastime. Their intuitive sense that these cards held value paid off handsomely, as did their decision to bring in the experts at Stark County’s Kiko Auctions. This wasn’t just an auction; it was a jackpot event packed with anticipation and a hint of nostalgia.
The Canton Repository, ever diligent, dug into the details to reveal the scale of the find. Beginning on May 28 and running until June 2, the online auction featured an astounding 623 lots. A staggering portion of these—more than 200—were baseball cards from the celebrated 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set. For those not versed in card collecting lore, the 1933 Goudey set is akin to having a golden ticket in one’s hand.
Why, you might ask? This particular set was revolutionary, the first to come with a stick of gum in each pack—a stroke of marketing genius that catapulted its popularity to stratospheric heights. Filled with Hall of Fame players, it has long remained a holy grail for card collectors around the globe.
As the digital auction drew to its climax, the grand tally of winning bids accumulated to a princely sum of $120,699. But wait, factor in the additional 10% internet premium and a 6.5% sales tax, and the total figure rose to over $140,000. Clearly, bidders across the ether were willing to pay handsomely for a piece of baseball history.
Among the prized pieces in the collection, a card depicting Babe Ruth himself stood out—fetching a remarkable $8,000 for a single 1933 Goudey card with a distinctive red background. Together, five Ruth cards garnered a combined $35,250 before additional fees and taxes kicked in. It’s a reminder that even decades after his heyday, the Sultan of Swat’s mystique endures.
It’s worth noting, none of the cards had received professional grading, a process that potentially elevates their market value. Thus, the buyers engaged in an evaluative dance of risk and reward. The absence of professional grading here only heightened the thrill of the chase. Because isn’t that the essence of collecting—buying not just a card but a fragment of the past, a story worth more than the sum of its cardboard parts?
As the digital gavel fell, culminating in promises of new homes for these cherished mementos, one can’t help but marvel at this remarkable journey—from a dusty Ohio attic to a worldwide audience of eager collectors. It’s a tale of serendipity, nostalgia, and the enduring appeal of baseball, where dreams of the past turned into a rather desirable present.
The Ohio find is more than just a financial windfall; it offers a glimpse into the cultural tapestry of the past century. For those cards, carried from one century to another, in a small cigar box, remind us of the sport we cherish and the echoes of Yesteryear. And as collectors unwrap their winnings, it’s clear: some things never lose their value—even if stored out of sight for decades.
While the virtual auction room quiets and the excitement slowly subsides, what remains is a sense of accomplishment, a nod to family legacy, and a glimpse at how seemingly insignificant relics of the past can still capture imaginations and hearts today. From the attic of a Buckeye State home to wall displays and pristine collections around the globe, this collection continues to secure a place in the annals of sports lore. Quite fittingly, it seems, the cards have struck their own home run amidst a score of talismans celebrating the history and heroes of America’s favorite pastime.
