Sports Memorabilia, Trading Cards, and Americana May 16'26
Lot 397:
Description
BID PER WHAT YOU SEE IN THE PHOTO, NOT THE AI GENERATED TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS! A Collection of Thousands of Early 1980s Topps, Donruss, and Fleer Baseball Cards
This expansive collection consists of thousands of baseball cards from the early 1980s, primarily from manufacturers Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. The lot is organized into five cardboard storage boxes and includes a mix of base cards, star players, and Hall of Fame individuals. The collection features Topps cards from 1980 and 1981, the inaugural 1981 Donruss and Fleer sets, and 1982 Donruss cards. Notable identified cards include a 1980 Topps Nolan Ryan (number 580) with career stats on the reverse, a 1981 Donruss Danny Ainge Rookie Card (number 348), a 1980 Topps Ozzie Smith (number 540), and a 1981 Topps Robin Yount (number 135). The group also includes multiple copies of cards for players such as Carl Yastrzemski, Eddie Murray, Rickey Henderson, and Tom Seaver. The cards are stored as a combination of loose items in boxes and individual cards protected by penny sleeves and plastic toploaders. Many cards are grouped with handwritten identification labels.
Provenance / Authentication Note: This item originates from a single-owner collection assembled by a dedicated sports fan (with a strong focus on Notre Dame and New York Yankees memorabilia). The collector actively pursued autographs over many years through in-person events, including games, autograph shows, and visits to National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum during player events, as well as through direct mail requests to athletes and celebrities. The collection included supporting material such as handwritten correspondence sent to athletes (in some cases with payment enclosed), along with photographs of the collector with various signers. A portion of this same collection was featured in our March 21st auction, where multiple items were authenticated by James Spence Authentication (JSA). In regards to any items with signature(s): While this specific item(s) may not be individually submitted for third-party authentication, it originates from the same collection and shows consistency with previously authenticated pieces. As with many large autograph collections, there may be a small number of facsimile or clubhouse-style signatures present, but for the most part we have seen AUTHENTIC SIGNATURES within the collection. Based on the overall provenance and our review, we maintain a strong level of confidence in the authenticity of most items. Bidders are encouraged to review all photos carefully and bid according to their own level of comfort. No additional authentication documentation is included unless visible within the lot photos. Please reach out with any questions.
Condition report:
The cards generally appear in well-preserved condition for the era, with many of the highlighted star cards exhibiting sharp corners, clean edges, and bright colors. Centering across the lot varies, which is typical for early 1980s printing. No significant creasing, staining, or surface wear is visible on the featured cards. The collection has not been professionally graded.
Share this lot:
