Sports items headlined by Roger Peckinpaugh collection up for auction

BOSTON, MASS.- Important sports cards, autographs, and memorabilia fill RR Auction‘s spring sports auction with online bidding March 11 through March 25.

Headlining the sale is a special section that offers items from the collection of early Yankees captain and one-time AL MVP Roger Peckinpaugh.

Peckinpaugh is often cited as one of the best players to not be enshrined in Cooperstown. Though chiefly remembered for his strong throwing arm and rangy play in the middle of the infield, he was also capable at the plate, collecting 1,876 career hits. Traded from Cleveland to the New York Yankees in 1913, he quickly established himself as a leader in the clubhouse and was named captain by manager Frank Chance the next year. In 1914—at the age of 23—he became the youngest manager in the history of baseball, helming the Bronx Bombers for the last three weeks of the season after Chance’s resignation. He served as a mentor to budding superstar Babe Ruth in 1920 and 1921, before being shipped off to Washington by way of Boston.

Highlights from the Peckinpaugh collection include his game-used 1918 New York Yankees uniform. The button-down gray flannel jersey features “New York” restored across the chest and features a red, white, and blue silk World War I memorial armband on the left sleeve. Any authentic, game-used uniform from the Deadball era is virtually unheard of—that this comes from one of baseball’s early stars, and arguably its most legendary franchise, makes this example truly remarkable.

Peckinpaugh’s 1924 Washington Senators World Series Championship Watch Fob 1924 World Series watch fob. This watch fob is equivalent to a modern World Series ring—prior to rings becoming standard fare in 1926, players and coaches were commonly awarded pendants and watch fobs as championship ware.

And a check signed by Babe Ruth. Ruth and Peckinpaugh were teammates on the New York Yankees in 1920 and 1921, just as Ruth emerged as baseball’s premiere home run hitter. On the day Peckinpaugh wrote this check, the Yankees squared off against Ty Cobb’s Detroit Tigers at the Polo Grounds. Bank of Washington Heights counter check, filled out and signed by Roger Peckinpaugh, “R. T. Peckinpaugh,” payable to Geo. H. Ruth for $1000, August 4, 1921, endorsed on the reverse by Babe Ruth, “Geo. H. Ruth.”

Other top lots in the Sports-themed auction include a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card. Graded by SGC EX 5. One of the most recognizable and premiere cards within the hobby, SGC has conservatively assessed this appealing example. With slightly higher graded examples realizing prices in excess of six figures, this card offers a tremendous alternative while giving up virtually nothing in the way of aesthetics.

A gold medal from the 1932 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Gilt silver, 55 mm, 97 gm, designed by Giuseppe Cassioli, minted by Whitehead & Hoag. A wonderful example of this classic design, and the only first-place 1932 LA prize we have ever offered.

A rare handwritten letter by Lou Gehrig, on Andrew Jackson Hotel letterhead, dated April 6, 1936. Rarely made available to the public market, handwritten letters from Gehrig are virtually nonexistent, with this neatly penned example—written a week before Gehrig would embark on his final MVP-winning season—representing the first our company has ever offered.

And high-grade complete sets of most Topps baseball issues from the 1960s–70s.

The Sports Auction featuring the Roger Peckinpaugh collection at RR Auction began March 11 and will conclude March 25.