Mastro Auctions, the world’s leading Sports and Americana auction house, has announced that it will bring its second Live Sports Auction to the Second City on Friday, August 1, at 8:30 p.m. at the ESPN Zone in Chicago. The historic auction will include more than 90 items of the world’s most coveted pieces of current and vintage sports memorabilia including several that have never before been available to the public. The auction will also feature Ken Griffey, Jr.’s 600th home run ball.
In addition, proceeds from a portion of the auction will benefit the 1st Touch Foundation, a charity founded by Chicago Cubs’ first baseman, Derrek Lee. A main focus of Lee’s Foundation is to assist those affected by Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA), an extremely rare disease which causes severe vision loss and blindness.
Collectively, the auction represents one of the most unprecedented assemblies of valuable, high-end sports memorabilia ever offered in one sale. A few of the items available include: 1909 T206 White Border Honus Wagner, magnificient “Jumbo” example – PSA EX5;? Lou Gehrig 1938 New York Yankees road jersey from his last season; Babe Ruth 1920 H&B signed game used bat personally obtained by Buck Weaver; Wilt Chamberlain’s 1959/60 Rookie season NBA MVP Award – The President’s Trophy; 1960 Topps Baseball complete set – #2 on the PSA Set Registry; The 600th Home Run ball hit by Ken Griffey, Jr.; 1888 N321 S.F. Hess California League SGC-graded near set (39/40); Lou Gehrig 1938 H&B small signature game used bat from his last full season; Hank Aaron 1974 Atlanta Braves home uniform; 1903 World Series program at Boston; and Babe Ruth single signed baseball – PSA/DNA NM-MT+8.5.
Doug Allen, president of Mastro Auctions expects that the bidding on a number of the auction items will go well into the six-figure range. More importantly, Allen anticipates that the average selling price per lot will approach the $50,000 mark, ten times the average per lot price experienced in other premier sports auction events. Drama promises to reach new and higher levels than experienced at last year’s Live Sports auction, culminating with the sale of what is destined to be the second most valuable baseball card ever sold publicly. “Clearly, this is a sports event, not just another sports auction,” said Allen.
Allen says that while every lot in the auction is exceptional a few to watch include the T206 Honus Wagner card, the Ken Griffey, Jr. 600th home run ball and the items donated by Chicago Cubs Derrek Lee to benefit his 1st Touch Foundation. According to Allen, the Wagner card will likely sell for well over $500,000 and take its place as one of the top T206 Wagners known to exist. Also interesting will be the final price of Ken Griffey, Jr.’s 600th home run ball. “Griffey is currently untouched by the current negative issues in baseball,” says Allen. “It will be significant to see if the ball that represents his untainted milestone translates to a higher selling price compared to similar balls from players who have encountered suspicion.”
In addition to the opportunity for collectors to own some of the best sports memorabilia in existence, the Mastro Auctions’ Live Sports sale will support efforts spearheaded by Derrek Lee’s 1st Touch Foundation to assist individuals diagnosed with the Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). Lee began 1st Touch because he wanted to help the community in his hometown of Sacramento, CA by building a youth center and providing an environment that fosters learning. In addition to its educational efforts, 1st Touch also supports Project 3000, a national effort to identify and offer genetic testing to every person affected by Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). LCA is an extremely rare disease that causes severe vision loss and blindness. In 2006, Lee’s daughter, Jada, was diagnosed with the disorder but because there is still a lot unknown about LCA, doctors are looking at other causes for her visual impairment. Information gathered through Project 3000 continues to minimize the ambiguity surrounding LCA, and aids scientists in their search for a cure.
Mastro Auctions is teaming up with Derrek Lee to benefit this worthwhile cause. The Live Sports auction will feature several game worn and autographed items donated by Mr. Lee. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this portion of the auction as well as 100% of the $100 Live Sports Auction entrance fee will be donated to the 1st Touch Foundation. Mastro Auctions is underwriting the entire event so that all admission fees and prices realized for the Derrek Lee items will directly benefit the 1st Touch Foundation.
Derrek Lee is enthusiastic about the charitable contribution and awareness the auction will generate for the 1st Touch Foundation. “We are thrilled to be working with Mastro Auctions and grateful for all the good our combined efforts will generate,” Lee said. “We appreciate the extra mile that Mastro Auction is willing to go for us,” added Heather Scherber, Director of Outreach for the 1st Touch Foundation. “We are certain the auction will be a resounding success and feel honored to be part of such a prestigious sports auction event.”
Allen is confident the 1st Touch Foundation’s donation will reach at least $20,000. “Our bidders have always responded generously for items earmarked for charity,” says Allen. “The fact that Derrek Lee is such a popular player is an added plus.”
Prior to the auction on the evening of Friday, August 1, all items to be auctioned will be on display at the Mastro Auctions booth at the National Sports Convention at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. For more information or to purchase the advance charity admission to the event, call Mastro Auctions at 630-472-1200 or go to www.mastroauctions.com for additional details.