SCP Auctions’ 2020 Fall Premier Auction, from 25 November to 11 December, will feature an early original 1941 Heisman Trophy, the collection of NBA All-Star Clyde Lovellette, and a pair of Dodgers Championship rings from the historic 1955 and 1988 campaigns presented to Gil Hodges and Mike Marshall respectively.
A pair of high ranked 1960s Topps baseball sets, Mickey Mantle’s New York Yankees AL Championship Rolex wristwatch, former Celtics’ owner Harry Mangurian’s 1981 Boston Celtics Championship ring and several ultra-premium modern cards, including an impressive 1996-97 Topps Chrome #138 Kobe Bryant Refractor in a PSA GEM MINT 10, round out an impressive group of featured lots up for bid.
1941 Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith was on his way to New York City on the morning of 7 December when he learnt of the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbour. In the hours leading up to his appearance at the New York Athletic Club, Smith re-wrote his acceptance speech to reflect the current state of the war. The Minnesota captain and star half-back ended up giving an inspiring speech that was broadcast across the country: “So much of emotional significance has happened in such a brief space of time, that the task of responding on this occasion leaves me at a loss to assign relative values.” Smith’s Heisman, originally cast by Dieges and Clust, stands 18” tall and weighs 25 pounds and remains in excellent condition. The trophy is awarded annually to the top player in NCAA football.
Thirty-three years separate two of the Dodger’s championship rings featured in the auction. Gil Hodges’ 1955 ring is an extra special memento of the sole championship of the franchise’s time in Brooklyn. 'Dem Bums' finally tasted victory over their cross-town rivals from The Bronx in a decisive game 7 in which Hodges’ drove in the teams’ only runs to secure all the glory.
Mike Marshall’s 1988 players ring represents one of the most memorable World Series’ in baseball history and until recently, was the last time the Dodgers reached the mountain top.
Clyde Lovellette is one of the most successful NBA stars of the 1950s-60s and flew just below superstar status of the likes of Bill Russell, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. Lovellette was the first player in history to win the NCAA championship, Olympic Gold and an NBA title. To this day, just six other players can claim this honour. He is also in rare company having won NBA Championships with both the Lakers and Celtics organisations. Some of the outstanding offerings from his collection are his 1963 Boston Celtics Championship Ring, his 1956 & 1957 NBA All-Star Uniforms (both MEARS A10), and several other awards and game worn pieces from his high school and college playing days at Kansas.
Valuable trading card sets from the 1960 and 1961 Topps baseball issues are offered and rank #28 and #8 on the PSA Registry, respectively. A 1911-12 C55 Imperial Tobacco Hockey set ranking #7 on the PSA Registry is also featured in the auction. Other high-grade sets include a 1951 Bowman Football and a 1954 Red Heart Baseball issue with all cards graded PSA NM 8 or better.
High-end graded rookies include a 1963 Topps #537 Pete Rose PSA MINT 9 and a 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan PSA GEM-MT 10. Other important card offerings include a 1909-11 T206 White Border Eddie Plank SGC VG 3, 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb Bat on Shoulder PSA NM 7, 1933 Delong #7 Lou Gehrig PSA EX 5, 1934 Goudey #61 Lou Gehrig PSA NM-MT 8, 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA PR 1 and a 1954 Red Heart Mickey Mantle PSA Mint 9. An impressive group of mostly PSA 9 1961 Fleer basketball cards are also offered in 55 different lots.
Never has SCP Auctions offered as many super modern cards as those up for grabs during this auction. Key offerings include a 2009 Bowman Chrome DJ Lemahieu Red Refractor PSA MINT 9 and a 2003 Topps Chrome #111 Lebron James Rookie PSA GEM MINT 10, along with many more. Additionally, you will find a factory sealed 2019-20 Panini Basketball National Treasures hobby case as well as a Factory sealed 'FIRST OFF THE LINE' hobby box from the same year.
