Sports Media Report
A new world auction record for a signed sports photograph was established for an exceedingly scarce and important 1911 “Shoeless” Joe Jackson Autographed Photograph by Frank W. Smith (PSA/DNA 9 MT)(Unique Surviving Example) which sold for $1,470,000, far exceeding the estimate of $200,000-400,000. The signed photo was offered by Christie’s and Hunt Auctions in New York in the auction Extra Innings: A Private Collection of Important Baseball Memorabilia. The 246-lot auction totaled $9,390,125 and was 96% sold by lot and 167% hammer sold above estimate.
Additional top lots in the sale include a Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat with eight home run notches c.1928-29, which sold for $1,050,000, an exceedingly scarce 1925 Lou Gehrig autographed rookie exhibit postcard which totaled $687,500 and a rare 1952 Joe DiMaggio autographed handwritten letter to Marilyn Monroe, achieved $525,000, selling above its estimate of $50,000-100,000.
David Hunt, President, Hunt Auctions, remarks: “The ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson autographed photograph realized an exceptional, yet deserved, record price. The combination of unique scarcity, high condition grade, and unimpeachable primary source provenance all contributed to interest from bidders in the US and overseas. The results for the Jackson signed photo and other highlight items within the Extra Innings Collection illustrate a continued recognition of the historic sports memorabilia category as a leading investment class.”
The online sale of the collection Extra Innings: Online is open for bidding through October 8.
