Step right up, baseball aficionados and comic book lovers! The upcoming event by Paul McInnis Auctioneer is not just a spectacle of vintage delight but a heartfelt swing at supporting future generations. The stage is set in North Hampton, NH, where treasures once tucked in the attic of the late Harry W. O’Brien will see the light of day and the heat of the auctioneer’s gavel, all in the name of academia.
Imagine a trove so historic that even the dust whispers tales of the batter’s box slugged by legends like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. The Harry W. O’Brien Collection, named affectionately after a local of Manchester, NH, inherits its formidable inventory from Daniel O’Brien, a man who, amidst serving in both World Wars, found the time and passion to clip, collect, and conserve the best slices of baseball history. This collection is a home run for both seasoned collectors and eager novices, providing a snapshot into a period of baseball’s past that set the foundation for today’s grand slams.
What exactly is up for grabs? Prepare your wallets and hearts for over 300 T206 cards featuring 48 Hall of Famers including titans like Christie Mathewson and Cy Young. Fancy a flash to the past? The 1911 T201 Mecca Folders offer a complete set, meticulously preserved, presenting a nostalgic trip to the beginnings of baseball card collecting. Let’s not neglect the robust lineup of 80 Goudey cards from the 1930s where the Sultan of Swat and the Iron Horse await to grace your private galleries.
However, this auction doesn’t stop with the crack of the bat; it also includes punches of the past with 1910 T218 Mecca boxing cards spotlighting Jack Johnson, a legendary heavyweight whose fights were as talked about as his controversies. And if swinging bats or boxing gloves aren’t in your wheelhouse, perhaps the high-grade 1940s comic books featuring the caped escapades of Superman and Batman will tickle your fancy.
With such a vast array of items, set to be sold individually or in thoughtfully curated lots, the integrity and conditions of these totems from the past are unquestionable. These have been evaluated and encapsulated by SGC, a testament to their pristine states and a nod to their awaited competitive biddings.
For those who relish a little piece of sports history or comic book heroism, this event is peppered with rarities like the ticket stubs from the inaugural game at Fenway Park in 1912—just another cherry on top of this expansive collectible sundae. With over 500 lots decoded into opportunities, the event promises an engaging day for bidders with hearts set on both preservation and philanthropy.
All the action of this benevolent bidding war is set to unfold live during a virtual webcast on the bright morning of May 4, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Hosted on the digital platform of Paul McInnis, collectors from all over can join in the excitement from the comfort of their homes, all while knowing that their passions are paving paths for students at the University of New Hampshire through the dedicated Scholarship Fund.
This event is more than just an auction; it’s a bridge linking the past to the future, where enthusiasts don’t just expand their collections. Through their bids, they invest in the potential of tomorrow’s leaders, scholars, and maybe even baseball Hall of Famers. A tip of the cap to Mr. O’Brien, whose legacy lives on not only through the memorabilia of yesteryears but in the opportunities they foster for years to come. So, mark your calendars, set your clocks, and get ready to play ball and bid big for a cause that champions education through the essence of history.
