When most people think of treasure hunts, visions of pirate maps and buried chests come to mind. However, in the unlikeliest of places—a dusty attic in Northeast Ohio—an entirely different type of treasure was unearthed. Hiding amidst forgotten knickknacks and keepsakes was a goldmine: a massive collection of vintage baseball cards, featuring none other than the legendary Babe Ruth.
This serendipitous discovery unfolded when a pair of siblings, whose names remain a well-guarded secret, embarked on the daunting yet often cathartic task of sorting through their late parents’ belongings. As they sifted through the attic’s dusty contents, a nondescript old cigar box caught their attention. Unlike the countless other forgotten trinkets it contained, this box held a surprise that would make any memorabilia enthusiast’s heart race—a collection long forgotten, yet invaluable in both sentiment and cold hard cash.
Enter Jack Kiko, an auctioneer from Stark County’s own Kiko Auctions, who upon hearing the story, could almost hear the crack of a bat hitting a home run. The siblings, returning from their attic adventure with anticipatory twinkles in their eyes, hinted at the value these cards could possess. A well-placed hunch, indeed.
The cards eventually found themselves auctioned off online, from May 28 to June 2, capturing the attention of bidders worldwide. The Canton Repository, equipped with trusty calculators and perhaps a piping hot cup of coffee, took to number crunching to measure the auction’s impact. Out of 623 lots, the cards naturally stole the spotlight, accounting for the substantial bulk of the collection.
Included in the sale were treasures from the iconic 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set, a name that resonates with both new and old card collectors alike. The innovation of combining beloved baseball imagery with a stick of gum transformed this set into a collector’s darling. Bursting at the seams with Hall of Famers, it’s no wonder that these nostalgic parcels became a hot commodity during the auction.
By the time the final gavel virtually dropped, winning bids amassed a staggering total of $120,699. Add a pinch of a 10% internet premium and a dash of 6.5% sales tax, and that sum swelled to a hefty $140,000+. The top card crowned during this digital duel? A 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card sporting a red background, clinching an impressive $8,000 bid alone. Tidying up the books, five different Babe Ruth cards danced away for a cumulative $35,250 prior to the incurred fees and taxes. Clearly, even in an online space, the Sultan of Swat finds a way to dominate.
What adds a layer of intrigue, even for the seasoned collector, is the condition of these storied cards. None had been professionally graded, meaning bidders entered the fray with a bit of risk in tow. The gamble paid off for many, but that unpredictability is perhaps part of the vintage card allure—one must embrace the mystery that age brings.
Beyond the piles of dust and forgotten memories, these cards serve as a tangible connection to America’s enduring pastime, evoking an era where legends like Babe Ruth reshaped the game’s landscape.
From their humble attic origins to a global stage where collectors from all corners gathered to bid, these antique relics reaffirm that a slice of Americana—and the nostalgia accompanying it—continues to wield significant value. As home run-worthy as Ruth’s legendary swings, this auction reminds us that sometimes, history’s most cherished keepsakes are simply waiting to be rediscovered, hiding amidst the cobwebs.
