Babe Ruth, Cy Young and Batman: Rare baseball cards, comics up for auction for first time

Max Sullivan, Portsmouth Herald
·2 min read
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NORTH HAMPTON — A collection of pre-World War II baseball cards, comics and other collectibles are up for auction next month, including those of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Cy Young.

Forty-eight Hall of Fame baseball players, Batman and Superman comic books and hundreds of other trading cards are a part of the Harry W. O’Brien collection being sold by Paul McInnis Auctioneers May 4. O’Brien died last fall, according to McInnis, and left the collection for the benefit of the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.

Several pre-World War II comic books and baseball cards are up for auction after a Manchester man left behind an estate to be sold in North Hampton for the benefit of the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.
Several pre-World War II comic books and baseball cards are up for auction after a Manchester man left behind an estate to be sold in North Hampton for the benefit of the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.

O’Brien was from Manchester, and McInnis said he was brought in to review the estate. He quickly saw the collection was special for its age, condition and rarity.

The owner, he said, maintained the original condition of the cards and comic books, never engaging in trade since their initial purchase.

“To find so many in one collection, fresh to the market and never before being offered to sale is pretty exciting,” McInnis said.

Ty Cobb and other Hall of Famers are among the baseball cards available in an auction May 4 being hosted by Paul McInnis Auctioneers, as well as comic books and other collectibles.
Ty Cobb and other Hall of Famers are among the baseball cards available in an auction May 4 being hosted by Paul McInnis Auctioneers, as well as comic books and other collectibles.

O’Brien is believed to have received many items in the collection from his father, Daniel, who served in both World War I and World War II. McInnis said O’Brien was encouraged to continue the collection.

The cards are from tobacco and chewing gum packs, according to McInnis, and include brands like T205 Gold Border Series cards and Philadelphia Caramel cards. The comics come from the “golden age,” and each has been professionally graded to mark its quality of condition.

Forty-eight Hall of Fame baseball players, Batman and Superman comic books and hundreds of other trading cards are a part of the Harry W. O’Brien collection being sold by Paul McInnis Auctioneers May 4.
Forty-eight Hall of Fame baseball players, Batman and Superman comic books and hundreds of other trading cards are a part of the Harry W. O’Brien collection being sold by Paul McInnis Auctioneers May 4.

Five rare ticket stubs are also in the collection, including two for the first-ever scheduled official game at Fenway Park from 1912.

Baseball cars of Hall of Famers like Babe Ruth are up for auction this month after Henry W. O'Brien of Manchester left behind his estate to be sold by Paul McInnis Auctioneers for the benefit of the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.
Baseball cars of Hall of Famers like Babe Ruth are up for auction this month after Henry W. O'Brien of Manchester left behind his estate to be sold by Paul McInnis Auctioneers for the benefit of the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.

Bidders can place bids early on the auctioneer’s website. Prices for several items have already drawn bids. Babe Ruth’s 1933 Goudey No. 144 card had a high bid of $5,500, while Ty Cobb’s 1909 Philadelphia Caramel E95 card currently has a high bid of $1,600. Other player cards in the auction include Honus Wagner and Christy Matthewson.

The Batman comics each cost thousands of dollars. “Batman No. 3” from 1940 currently has a high bid of $4,600, though its estimated value is listed as $8,000 to $12,000.

Batman No. 3 from 1940 currently has a high bid of $4,600 at the estate auction to benefit the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.
Batman No. 3 from 1940 currently has a high bid of $4,600 at the estate auction to benefit the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.

The Live Virtual Webcast Auction will be held Saturday, May 4, at 11:00 a.m. online. To review the collection and register to bid go to: https://auction.paulmcinnis.com/auctions.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Rare Babe Ruth, Cy Young baseball cards and comic books up for auction