The Most Valuable Baseball Collectibles of All-Time
Collecting baseball memorabilia can be fun, exciting, and even lucrative. Whether you’re trying to find the most valuable collectible for your collection or just curious about what pieces from the past might be worth something today, here’s a look at some of the most valuable baseball collectibles of all time.
The 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner Cigarette Card Set
The 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner Cigarette Card set is arguably the most valuable baseball card collection in history. The cards were issued by the American Tobacco Company in 1910 and feature images of some of the greatest players from that era, including Honus Wagner. One particular card featuring Wagner sold for an astonishing $3.12 million at an auction in 2007 – making it one of the most expensive sports collectibles ever sold. It is believed that only 50 to 200 copies of this card still exist and its rarity makes it highly sought after by collectors around the world.
Autographed Lou Gehrig Memorabilia
Lou Gehrig was one of baseball’s all-time greats and his autographed memorabilia is highly prized by collectors. Any item signed by Gehrig – whether it’s a ball, hat, bat, or photo – is sure to fetch a pretty penny on the open market. One such example is an autographed bat he used during his last season with the Yankees in 1939 which sold for $537,750 at an auction in 2016. Meanwhile, a signed 1930 team photo featuring Gehrig alongside his legendary teammate Babe Ruth recently sold for a staggering $717,000!
Babe Ruth's Jersey from 1920 World Series
Another incredibly valuable piece of memorabilia comes from “The Sultan of Swat” himself - Babe Ruth. His jersey from the 1920 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Brooklyn Dodgers recently fetched more than $4 million at an auction in 2012 - making it one of the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold. This particular jersey was worn by Ruth during game four when he hit three home runs - cementing his legacy as one of baseball's all-time greats in dramatic fashion!
As you can see, some baseball collectibles can be extremely valuable depending on their age, condition and provenance. Of course not all items are worth millions like those discussed above but there are plenty out there that would make excellent additions to any collection – regardless if they have monetary value or not! So next time you come across a piece that piques your interest, take some time to research its history and value before deciding whether or not to add it to your collection! Who knows – you may just end up with something truly special!