Auction Industry

Hindman Offers Sports Memorabilia From Across the Decades

Author Shreeya Maskey

Published on Jun 2, 21

On June 8th, 2021, Hindman’s Sports Memorabilia auction will present pieces that recall some of the most legendary moments in American sporting history. The auction will bring together iconic baseball players, basketball players, and boxers from across the decades.

*A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Baseball Card No. 311. Image from Hindman.*

Born in a tiny Oklahoma town, Mickey Mantle would become one of the most celebrated switch-hitters in baseball history. He made his first breakthrough in a game against the Chicago White Sox in 1951. “Mickey smacked the ball in dead center field right into the bullpen . . . it must have traveled 450 feet in the air!” Randy Gumpert, an American professional baseball pitcher, said years later. During his 18-year stay with the New York Yankees, Mantle hit 536 home runs and helped the team take home seven World Series titles.

In the upcoming sports memorabilia auction, a rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card is among the key lots (estimate: USD $20,000 – $30,000). Placed in a scrapbook for over six decades, the no. 311 card received an ‘Authentic Altered’ certification from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).

LeRoy Neiman’s portrait of Muhammad Ali, Athlete of the Century, 2001. Image from Hindman. — *LeRoy Neiman’s portrait of Muhammad Ali,* Athlete of the Century, 2001. Image from Hindman.

In Louisville, Kentucky, a 12-year-old Cassius Clay found himself enraged when his red and white bicycle went missing. He promised to take the fight to the thief who had stolen his treasured bike. This outburst caught the attention of Joe Martin, a local police officer and gym trainer. He said, “Well, you better learn how to fight before you start challenging people.” Martin helped the young Clay train as a boxer.

Not long after, Muhammad Ali’s professional boxing career began. Within six years, Ali earned a gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome. This achievement helped launch a successful career that spanned 21 years.

The upcoming Sports Memorabilia auction presents LeRoy Neiman’s portrait of Muhammad Ali (estimate: $2,000 – $3,000). Both Ali and Neiman signed this limited-edition 2001 piece. An American contemporary artist, Neiman was known for his colorful depictions of sporting events, celebrities, and everyday life.

*1985 Interlake Boy Scout Michael Jordan Rookie Basketball Card PSA 5. Image from Hindman.*

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed,” Michael Jordan has famously said. He realized early in his career that failure was only a stepping stone for success. From winning the Rookie of the Year award to setting an NBA record for scoring ten titles, Jordan became one of the greatest all-around players in basketball history.

This live auction will highlight a Michael Jordan basketball card (estimate: $3,000 – $5,000). The card shows Jordan playing for the Chicago Bulls in a crowded stadium. This 1985 Interlake Boy Scout card is fresh to the market and one of only 200 that have been certified by PSA.

Hindman’s upcoming Sports Memorabilia auction will begin at 10:00 AM EDT on June 8th, 2021. Register to bid and view each of the lots on Bidsquare.

View Auction Daily’s recent coverage of baseball memorabilia to read more about sporting items at auction.