Feb Sports Results: Ruth 1932 NY Yankees Player Contract SOLD for $295k

Babe Ruth 1932 NY Yankees Player Contract SOLD for $295k

Boston: Babe Ruth 1932 New York Yankees player contract where Ruth takes a pay cut signed during the Great Depression sold for $295,531. The four-page American League uniform player’s contract signed “George Herman Ruth,” and dated March 16, 1932. The Depression severely hit baseball revenues—it is estimated that Yankee gate receipts fell 12 to 15 percent during the 1931 season. Ruth’s annual salary of $80,000 for the past two seasons was an irresistible target.“Ruth’s Depression-era contract provided an unprecedented historical look at the Game of Baseball —especially considering Manny Machado’s just signed deal worth $300 million, the richest free-agent contract in baseball history,” said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. “It’s a classic power struggle between owner and player—and each contract providing its telling and unique tale.”

Ruth eventually settled for $75,000 a year, plus 25 percent of the net receipts from Yankee exhibition games. “It was the first time in Ruth’s long career—since the day in 1914 when he signed for $600 per season—that he had ever taken a cut in pay,” added Livingston. Among other player contracts; Lou Gehrig’s 1935 New York Yankees Contract for Gehrig’s first season as Yankee captain sold for $183,500, and Christy Mathewson 1902 New York Giants Contract sold for $68,481.

Additional highlights from the sale include:

1933 Goudey #106 Napoleon Lajoie sold for $127,904.

1911 T206 White Border near complete PSA-graded set sold for $72,294.

1952 Topps Baseball Complete Set of 407 Cards plus 80 Black Back variations

with (30) PSA Graded including the Mickey Mantle Rookie sold for $53,758.

1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle autographed Rookie Card – PSA/DNA MINT 9 sold for $48,871.

RR Auction’s Sports Sale began February 7 and on concluded on February 21.

Founded in 1976, RR is always inviting quality consignments for 24+ annual sales spanning a wide variety of categories, especially their next Sports Auction set for this Fall.

View RR’s 2019 Auction Calendar and email [email protected], submit consignments online, or call (800) 937-3880 for more details on consigning.

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Auction results: Marvels of Modern Music

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Chart-topping success

RR Auction’s Marvels of Modern Music auction (July 12-19) heralded the sweet sound of success for its consignors. Autographs, albums, guitars, equipment, and personally owned clothing and jewelry were hot sellers. Here are the auction results.

Jump to all auction results

See press coverage of our auction

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Beatlemania

Fully signed Beatles autographed items were in high demand. A 1963 Parlophone mono first album pressing of “Please Please Me,” signed by all four Beatles, topped the list with a sale price of $30,671. Beatles success included a complete set of signatures on a 1964 menu from the specially-hired train used for the opening sequences of the Beatles’ debut film “A Hard Day’s Night,” which sold for $13,316; a Beatles set of signatures circa 1963, that went for $8,597; and Beatles autographs obtained in September 1967 on the set of the Magical Mystery Tour in Newquay, England (scarce, as the band had stopped touring the year before), which earned $7,227. A framed photo and signatures of the Beatles did well at $6,830, as did a framed and signed promo postcard display, which achieved $6,209.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”10381″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Also noteworthy was an incredibly rare original handbill for two Beatles performances as part of the “Big Beat Sessions” and “The Davy Jones Show” at the Tower Ballroom in New Brighton, Merseyside, on December 1 and 8, 1961. During this period, Pete Best was the Beatles’ drummer; Ringo Starr (as Richard Starkey) was the drummer for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, also on the bill for both shows. That item sold for $4,716. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10383″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10386″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10385″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Featured musicians

CJ Ramone presented a collection of his own stage and tour gear from his days playing with punk pioneers The Ramones. His tour-used Ampeg bass amplifier head with original Ramones road case sold for $13,089; his stage-worn iconic black leather jacket garnered $11,272. A pair of sterling silver skull rings given to him by original bassist Dee Dee Ramone went for $10,492. And CJ Ramone’s tour- and stage-used black-bodied signature Mosrite bass guitar earned $8,485.

The family of Boston lead singer Brad Delp offered a cache of items from his remarkable career with the band, including his RIAA gold sales award for Boston’s self-titled debut album; it sold for $11,153.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10390″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10391″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]RR Auction continues its success in selling Prince memorabilia. This time, Prince’s handwritten draft of the lyrics for “Mutiny” achieved $16,843; his handwritten lyrics for “Go” – in purple ink, with pen name Percy Bagonia – garnered $9,200; and his extensive handwritten notes for the cover art to his “Around the World in a Day” were sold for $7,892. Clothing, jewelry, and other items were also successful.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10396″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Rock n’ Roll icons

A rare ALS written by Bob Dylan in 1975 to folk musician Debbie Green, inviting her to sing on his upcoming “Desire” album, achieved $29,645. Read more about the item here. Dylan’s signed “Bringing It All Back Home” album also sold for $5,017.

Nearly every legendary band or musician was represented in the auction. Led Zeppelin items scored heavily. A fully signed “Led Zeppelin II” album – with Robert Plant adding “Frodo Lives” – reaped $27,621. An exceedingly rare signed vintage glossy photo of Doors frontman Jim Morrison, circa 1969, earned $26,348. A 1971 Sunderland Concert poster signed by The Who sold for $14,703; and a beautifully signed “Wish You Were Here” album, featuring autographs from all the members of Pink Floyd, went for $14,649.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10398″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10399″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10400″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10402″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Music pioneers included a Buddy Holly signed photograph that went for $18,376; a Bob Marley signed “Uprising” album garnered $12,383; and a signed photo of Texas blues legend Lightnin’ Hopkins earned $9,038. Several Elvis Presley items were featured, like his 14K Baume & Mercier wristwatch, which achieved $12,251, and a Presley-signed vintage glossy photo earned $7,962. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”10403″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Top 20 auction results

Beatles Signed Album – $30,671

Bob Dylan Autograph Letter Signed – $29,645

Led Zeppelin Signed Album – $27,621

Jim Morrison Signed Photograph – $26,348

Buddy Holly Signed Photograph – $18,376

Prince Handwritten Lyrics for ‘Mutiny’ – $16,843

The Who Signed 1971 Sunderland Concert Poster – $14,703

Pink Floyd Signed Album  – $14,649

Beatles A Hard Day’s Night Signatures – $13,316

CJ and Dee Dee Ramone’s Tour-Used Ampeg Bass Amplifier Head with Original Ramones Road Case – $13,089

Bob Marley and the Wailers Signed Uprising Album – $12,383

Elvis Presley’s 14K Baume & Mercier Wristwatch – $12,251

CJ Ramone’s Stage-Worn Leather Jacket – $11,272

Brad Delp’s RIAA Sales Award, Boston debut album – $11,153

CJ Ramone’s Pair of Skull Rings Given by Dee Dee Ramone  – $10,492

Prince Handwritten Lyrics for ‘Go’ – $9,200

Lightnin’ Hopkins Signed Photograph – $9,038

CJ and Dee Dee Ramone’s Tour-Used Bass Cabinet with Original Ramones Road Case – $8,892

Beatles Signatures, circa 1963 – $8,597

CJ Ramone’s Stage-Used Bass Guitar – $8,485

 

See all auction results

Consign your music items in our next Marvels of Modern Music auction

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Auction results: Sports

1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Championship Ring RR Auction

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Above: 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Championship Ring. Sold by RR Auction for $45,049.

First auction all about sports reaped great results

RR’s inaugural dedicated Sports auction saw enthusiastic bidding into the night, and record amounts of new-to-RR bidders. Here are the results.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”10195″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Buoyed by much anticipatory press from around the country, more than a dozen sports items reaped five-figure payouts for consignors. Many were attached to important stories from sports history – The only baseball championship ever won by the borough was represented in the sale of a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Championship Ring (main image), which was the top seller, garnering $45,049. Another item with a significant story was a 1966-68 Brian Piccolo game-worn Chicago Bears road jersey (graded MEARS A8). The tear-away shirt (at right) belonged to the football player who was the tragic inspiration for the film “Brian’s Song”; it achieved $25,200. A Babe Ruth signed baseball sold for $21,013; and the long-“cursed” Boston Red Sox continued their upward climb with another 21st century World Series 4-0 sweep win, as represented in a 2007 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship ring, which soared to $17,400.

PSA-graded baseball cards finished strongly, with individual cards and sets selling high, representing pre-1900s, pre- and post-war, Topps, Cracker Jack, tobacco and cabinet cards. The top-selling individual card in the auction was an 1895 N300 Mayo’s Cut Plug Ed Delahanty (graded PSA EX-MT 6), shown at right, which achieved $16,414. The most successful set was a 1909-1948 large pre-war collection (with two Babe Ruths), which went for $12,613.

Olympics memorabilia did well, with torches, winners’ medals and badges leading the category. The top item for Olympics was a Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics Torch, which garnered $19,327, followed by a Stockholm 1956 Summer Olympics Bronze Winner’s Medal that sold for $18,710, and several silver and gold winners’ medals. RR’s reputation for autograph items was represented in a candid vintage autograph photo of Muhammad Ali (which he signed as Cassius Clay), when the athlete was at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games. The encapsulated image went for $10,161.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”9999″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”10194″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

The top 20 auction results

1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Championship Ring – $45,049

1966-1968 Brian Piccolo Game-Worn Chicago Bears Road Jersey MEARS A8 – $25,200

Babe Ruth Signed Baseball – $21,013

Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics Torch – $19,327

Stockholm 1956 Summer Olympics Bronze Winner’s Medal – $18,710

2007 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Ring – $17,400

1895 N300 Mayo’s Cut Plug Ed Delahanty PSA EX-MT 6 – $16,414

Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Signed Baseball – $16,371

Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics Silver Winner’s Medal –$14,400

1909-1948 Large Pre-War Collection with two Babe Ruths – $12,613

1982 FIFA World Cup Gold Winner’s Medal – $12,294

Athens 2004 Summer Olympics Gold Winner’s Medal – $12,292

1888 N173 Old Judge Cabinets Jim O’Rourke PSA VG-EX 4 – $11,644

Muhammad Ali Signed Photograph – $10,161

Los Angeles 1932 Summer Olympics Team Athletics Jury Badge – $9,787

Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics Torch – $9,248

Jackie Robinson Autograph Letter Signed – $7,986

NY Yankees 1961 Signed Baseball – $7,918

1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan and Jerry Koosman PSA NM-MT+ 8.5 – $7,906

Jimmie Foxx Signed Baseball – $7,028[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”10190″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”10189″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”10191″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

SEE ALL RESULTS

CONSIGN TO OUR NEXT SPORTS AUCTION

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Auction results: Space

Above: Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 lunar surface-flown Double Star Chart. Sold by RR Auction for $50,618.

Spectacular Space auction results –
and a great testimonial

RR Auction’s April Space auction was another smashing success, as important space exploration artifacts were obtained by passionate collectors. More than 20 items achieved a hammer price over $10,000, eight over $20k, and the top lot earning nearly six figures. Here are the auction results.

The top lot was a superb archive of 26 items by Dr. Wernher von Braun related to the iconic ‘Man Will Conquer Space Soon!’ series, which appeared in Collier’s Magazine between 1952 and 1954, which achieved a final sales price of $98,644.

Astronaut-validated flown artifacts did extremely well in the auction. An incredible Apollo 11 lunar surface-flown double star chart, signed and flight-certified by Buzz Aldrin, garnered $50,618. Dave Scott’s signed and certified Apollo 15 lunar surface-flown combined LRV ‘Photo’ and ‘Contour’ maps were purchased for $49,889. Gene Cernan’s Apollo 17 lunar surface-used Rover map achieved $45,353.

A unique collection of 109 unflown Space Shuttle Robbins medallions – 102 sterling silver medals and 7 rare pre-production bronze examples – went for $49,000. The top results are further listed below.

 

‘I felt like family’

RR Auction is always so pleased to work with NASA engineer and collectSPACE member Daniel Schaiewitz; we guess the feeling is mutual, because he and wife Nilda were kind enough to drive over to see us in New Hampshire so Dan could film this incredible testimonial video:

 

 

With nearly two dozen items in this auction, Dan had a great showing in our most recent auction. His top sold artifact in April was a spiral-bound training cuff checklist personally worn and used by Apollo 15 LMP Jim Irwin and Schaiewitz, which sold for $4,577.

One of Dan’s items also received some rather amusing press.

 

Top auction results for April Space
($10k or higher):

Wernher von Braun Archive: $98,644

Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Lunar Surface-Flown Double Star Chart, $50,618

Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 Lunar Surface-Flown Combined LRV ‘Photo’ and ‘Contour’ Maps, $49,889

Collection of (109) Space Shuttle Robbins Medallions, $49,000

Gene Cernan’s Apollo 17 Lunar Surface-Used Rover Map, $45,353

Apollo 1 Signed Photograph, $34,549

Dave Scott’s Lunar Surface-Used Lunar Module Malfunction Procedures Manual, $30,202

A6L Space Suit Glove Made for Neil Armstrong, $20,246

Apollo 13 Lunar Module Contingency Checklist, $19,067

Dave Scott’s Lunar Surface-Flown Apollo 15 PLSS/RCU Cover, $18,987

Dave Scott’s Lunar Orbit Flown Apollo 15 Photography Chart, $18,751

Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 EVA Cue Card, $18,528

Apollo 9 Flown DAC Camera Utility Bracket, $17,254

Apollo Model, $16,114

Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 Lunar Surface-Flown License Plate, $14,867

Charlie Duke’s Lunar Surface-Flown Apollo 16 Checklist, $14,649

Mercury 7 Signed Photograph, $13,133

Tom Stafford’s Apollo 10 Flown Robbins Medallion, $12,251

SpaceShipOne Flown Beanie Baby, $10,412

Sericho Pallasite Meteorite Slice, $10,412

See all results here.

space artifacts memorabilia A6L spacesuit glove Neil Armstrong RR Auction
A6L spacesuit glove, made for Neil Armstrong. Sold by RR Auction for $20,246.
space exploration artifacts memorabilia Rare vintage 1:40 scale model Apollo Command Service Module Lunar Module RR Auction
Rare vintage 1:40 scale model of an Apollo Command Service Module and Lunar Module. Sold by RR Auction for $16,114.
Kenya Sericho pallasite meteorite slice Aerolite Meteorites RR Auction $10,412
Large Sericho pallasite meteorite (Kenya) slice from Aerolite Meteorites. Sold by RR Auction for $10,412.

Ready to join the crew?
We’re currently acquiring for our next Space auction, slated for October. Consignments are requested to be in-house by July 17. Please contact us for your free appraisal.

Auction results: April, feat. Sci-Fi

US President John F. Kennedy's personal map of Cuba Cuban Missile Crisis RR Auction

JFK’s personal ‘victory map’ of Cuba dominates with $138k achieved

Our April Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction, with Sci-Fi feature, eclipsed expectations. The top item was President John F. Kennedy’s personal “victory map” of Cuba (banner image) used during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The historic artifact achieved a price of $138,798 (all prices shown include Buyer’s Premium).

ALS DS Revolutionary War letter signed George Washington RR Auction
Revolutionary War-dated letter, signed by George Washington. Sold by RR Auction for $36,546.

It was not the only US president-related item to make the Top 10 auction results; two George Washington artifacts ranked – a signed letter which garnered $36,546, and his signature which yielded $8,083. Founding Fathers were strongly represented, with a Thomas Jefferson ALS that sold for $28,843, a Benjamin Franklin ALS which earned $14,822, and a DS of Alexander Hamilton, which sold for $9,782. Items representing Abraham Lincoln, John Hancock, James Garfield and FDR also did well.

Composition written by Giuseppe Verdi. Sold by RR Auction for $10,003.

Classical music composers had solid showings, with auction results including a DS from Frederic Chopin achieving $18,751 and a Giuseppe Verdi AMQS garnering $10,003. Modern music’s top seller was a fully signed, self-titled debut album from the Rolling Stones, which earned $10,003.

Star Wars vintage glossy photo autograph SP Mark Hamill Carrie Fisher Harrison Ford RR Auction
Star Wars vintage glossy photo autographed by Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford. Sold by RR Auction for $8,575.

The top selling item from our first Sci-Fi feature was a signed vintage glossy photo for the first Star Wars film, autographed by Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, which achieved $8,575.

 

Top 10 sales of the month:

John F. Kennedy ‘victory map’ of Cuba: $138,798

George Washington LS: $36,546

Thomas Jefferson ALS: $28,843

Frederic Chopin DS: $18,751

Benjamin Franklin ALS: $14,822

Giuseppe Verdi AMQS: $10,003

Rolling Stones fully signed self-titled debut album: $10,003

Alexander Hamilton DS: $9,782

Star Wars signed photograph: $8,575

George Washington signature: $8,083

VIEW ALL AUCTION RESULTS

Auction results: Pop Culture

Steve Jobs-signed job application questionnaire 1973 RR Auction

Auction results: Pop Culture

Our Pop Culture themed auction was a huge success! We achieved some astonishing results for our consignors that eclipsed their expectations. Here are the auction results.

Steve Jobs auction results

Steve Jobs-signed job application questionnaire 1973 RR Auction
Steve Jobs-signed job application questionnaire from 1973. Sold by RR Auction for $174,757.
sell Steve Jobs autographs Steve Jobs-signed newspaper article 2008 RR Auction
Steve Jobs-signed newspaper article from 2008. Sold by RR Auction for $26,950
Steve Jobs-signed Apple Mac OS X Manual 2001 RR Auction
Steve Jobs-signed Apple Mac OS X Manual from 2001. Sold by RR Auction for $41,806.

Our trio of items signed by Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs was hugely successful – cumulatively selling for more than $240,000. A job application filled out when Jobs was just a teenaged, soon-to-be college dropout achieved a remarkable price of $174,757. A 2001 Apple Mac OS X Administration Basics spiral-bound training manual that an Apple Technician trainee cajoled Jobs into signing in a parking lot, garnered $41,806. And a 2008 newspaper clipping about the iPhone 3G, signed by Jobs and Anthony Fadell, senior vice president of Apple’s iPod division, sold for $26,950.

Massive music results

Bob Marley autographed tour poster 1976 RR Auction
Bob Marley autographed tour poster, 1976. Sold by RR Auction for $30,979.
Jimi Hendrix signed 1969 Toronto arrest fingerprint card RR Auction
Jimi Hendrix signed 1969 Toronto arrest fingerprint card. Sold by RR Auction for $29,248.
Phil Collins handwritten lyrics "Another Day in Paradise" RR Auction
Phil Collins handwritten lyrics for “Another Day in Paradise.” Sold by RR Auction for $16,541.
Signed photograph The Doors RR Auction
Photograph fully signed by The Doors. Sold by RR Auction for $14,804.

Legendary musicians were in high demand at the Pop Culture auction. A tour poster boasting a long inscription and autograph by Bob Marley and the Wailers earned $30,979; a separate autographed photo of Marley went for $6,209. An incredible 1969 arrest card featuring Jimi Hendrix’s fingerprints and signature garnered $29,248; Hendrix and his band autographed an album that sold for $4,287. A surprise finish was achieved by Phil Collins’ handwritten lyrics for “Another Day in Paradise,” with album proof and signature, for $16,541. And a rare full-band signed photograph of The Doors sold for $14,804.

The King garnered more than $20,000, with Elvis Presley photographs and items like his shotgun, a leather jacket, striped jacket, cufflinks and his trademark “TCB” necklace – the leader at $11,985 – all selling well.

Elvis Presley's 14K gold "TCB" necklace RR Auction
Elvis Presley’s 14K gold “TCB” necklace. Sold by RR Auction for $11,985.
Elvis Presley's brown leather jacket RR Auction
Elvis Presley’s brown leather jacket. Sold by RR Auction for $3,178.
Elvis Presley's striped jacket RR Auction
Elvis Presley’s striped jacket. Sold by RR Auction for $5,581.
Elvis Presley's black stone cufflinks RR Auction
Elvis Presley’s black stone cufflinks. Sold by RR Auction for $894.
Elvis Presley's 12-gauge shotgun RR Auction
Elvis Presley’s 12-gauge shotgun. Sold by RR Auction for $8,266.

The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Carlos Santana and Ray Charles all also had items in the top echelon of results. A love letter from Amy Winehouse to her husband Blake Fielder-Civil sold for $5,017; and a “Purple Rain” era purple tambourine relating to Prince garnered $4,352.

Carlos Santana’s stage and studio-used acoustic guitar RR Auction
Carlos Santana’s stage and studio-used acoustic guitar. Sold by RR Auction for $5,360.
Prince's rehearsal-used “Purple Rain” tambourine RR Auction
Prince’s rehearsal-used “Purple Rain” tambourine. Sold by RR Auction for $4,352.

Art, illustration and literature

Andy Warhol’s signed original “Cow” screenprint on a Kellogg’s cereal box achieved the fifth highest price in the Pop Culture auction, at $28,553. Several original concept paintings, production cels and backgrounds from Walt Disney classics did very well – the top two being an Eyvind Earle concept painting from “Lady and the Tramp” and a Walt Disney-signed production cel from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which earned more than $12,000 each.

Eyvind Earle concept painting "Lady and the Tramp" RR Auction
Eyvind Earle concept painting from “Lady and the Tramp.” Sold by RR Auction for $12,372.
Andy Warhol signed original "Cow'" screenprint on Kellogg's cereal box RR Auction
Andy Warhol signed original “Cow'” screenprint on Kellogg’s cereal box. Sold by RR Auction for $28,553.
Walt Disney-signed production cel "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" RR Auction
Walt Disney-signed production cel from “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Sold by RR Auction for $12,122.

Auction results for books signed by authors J.K. Rowling and F. Scott Fitzgerald were good, as were prices achieved for several items boasting the signature of Walt Disney.

Top 10 items sold

Steve Jobs Signed Job Application, sold for $174,757,28

Steve Jobs Signed Apple Mac OS X Manual, sold for $41,806.80

Bob Marley and The Wailers Signed 1976 Poster, sold for $30,979.03

Jimi Hendrix Signed 1969 Toronto Arrest Fingerprint Card, sold for $29,248,10

Andy Warhol Signed Original ‘Cow’ Screenprint on Kellogg’s Cereal Box, sold for $28,553.53

Steve Jobs Signed Newspaper Article, sold for $26,950.00

Phil Collins Handwritten Lyrics for ‘Another Day in Paradise’ and Album Proof, sold for $16,541.18

The Doors Signed Photograph, sold for $14,804.13

Eyvind Earle concept painting from Lady and the Tramp, sold for $12,372.50

Walt Disney signed production cel from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, sold for $12,122.60

See entire results list here.

Auction results: March, feat. Military

Karl Marx letter 1879 RR Auction

Auction results: March, feat. Military

Another monthly auction is in the record book, and we’re pleased with the results we achieved for our consignors. Bidders were drawn to our stellar assortment of Rare and Remarkable autographs, documents and manuscripts. Here are the auction results.

The top sales success story was an extremely rare handwritten and signed letter from Karl Marx, shown above, written in English in 1879. Marx letters are extraordinarily rare and virtually nonexistent outside of institutions; in more than 40 years of business, this is the only one we have ever encountered. It sold for $53,509.

In fact, there were several fine ALS lots that garnered five-digit results. A rare Leo Tolstoy letter in Russian – the first we’ve offered in 8 years – earned $21,450; artist Claude Monet’s multi-page letter, in French, to his wife went for $21,128; Nobel Prize-winner and quantum physics pioneer Wolfgang Pauli letter to a colleague garnered $14,700; and French political philosopher and “man of letters” Montequieu had his letter sell for $10,267.

There was also a significant cache of writing by Jean-Paul Sartre for his autobiography, in which he incredibly imagines “the late Jean-Paul Sartre as it would be revealed to the academics of the 21st century, by his works, his correspondence and the testimony of his contemporaries.” That lot sold for $12,105.

Politics, music, US presidents, literature and more categories were represented in the March auction. Our Military feature did well, with items like a “Horrors of War” card set, haunting photos after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, WWII bomber jackets and much more.

bomber jacket WWII USAAF 8th Air Force B-10 Flight Jacket with painted decorations RR Auction
WWII USAAF 8th Air Force B-10 Flight Jacket with painted decorations. Sold by RR Auction for $3,407.

Top 10 items sold

Karl Marx — ALS, sold for $53,509.23

Mohandas Gandhi — Signed Photo, sold for $41,806.80

Leo Tolstoy — ALS, sold for $21,450.98

Claude Monet — ALS, sold for $21,128.80

John F. Kennedy — Book, sold for $15,926.23

Wolfgang Pauli — ALS, sold for $14,700.00

Jean-Paul Sartre — Handwritten Manuscripts, sold for $12,105.45

Beatles — Promo Card, sold for $11,025.00

Montesquieu — ALS, sold for $10,267.95

Revolutionary War: British Navy — DS, sold for $8,581.13

 

Photo of Mohandas Gandhi walking alongside Madan Mohan Malaviya. Sold by RR Auction for $41,806.

See all auction results here.

Auction results: Prince

(Above: Prince signature from 1985, sold at auction for $4,165)

There’s still much purple passion

Devoted Prince fans turned out for our latest auction of the music legend’s memorabilia on Feb. 15. From museums to private collectors, bidding went into the night for many of our elite items. Here are the Prince auction results.

The top sales item was a shrink-wrapped original 1987 U.S. first pressing of “The Black Album,” which garnered a price of $42,298. The infamous work, pulled immediately after a cancelled release, has been seldom heard by anyone besides Prince himself and a few industry insiders.

Rare Prince The Black Album RR Auction
Rare Prince “The Black Album” – sold by RR Auction for $42,298.

Other stand-out sales included several items handwritten by the artist. Handwritten draft lyrics for “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man,” with slightly different words than the final hit, went for a top bid of $20,886. His handwritten acceptance speech for the 1988 Minnesota Music Awards attained $12,251, while a sweet apology note that implored  “I’m sorry—please don’t hate me. Prince” achieved a final price of $11,257. A lengthy letter to Rolling Stone music critic Tom Moon, containing incredible insight into Prince’s approach to writing, garnered a princely sum of $11,004.

handwritten lyrics Prince I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man RR Auction
Draft lyrics handwritten by Prince for “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” – sold by RR Auction for $20,886.
Prince handwritten acceptance speech 1988 Minnesota Music Awards RR Auction
Prince handwritten acceptance speech for the 1988 Minnesota Music Awards; sold by RR Auction for $12,251.
Prince apology note, "I'm sorry—please don't hate me. Prince" RR Auction
Prince apology note, “I’m sorry—please don’t hate me. Prince” – sold by RR Auction for $11,257.
Prince handwritten letter to Rolling Stone music critic Tom Moon RR Auction
Prince handwritten letter to Rolling Stone music critic Tom Moon. Sold by RR Auction for $11,004.

Several objects with Prince’s musical pedigree were successful. Prince’s stage-used Purple Rain Tour microphone went for an impressive $22,869. There were several tambourines, with the top one – Prince’s rehearsal-used “Purple Rain” tambourine – going for $6,487.

Prince's stage-used Purple Rain Tour microphone RR Auction
Prince’s stage-used Purple Rain Tour microphone. Sold by RR Auction for $22,869.
Prince's rehearsal-used “Purple Rain” tambourine RR Auction
Prince’s rehearsal-used “Purple Rain” tambourine. Sold by RR Auction for $6,487.

Many bidders wanted an item that had been worn by the fashion-forward musician. Top memorabilia in that category included Prince’s personally worn “Diamonds and Pearls” cufflinks ($7,840); his personally worn purple leather gloves ($6,373); and a faux-gemmed paisley broach ($5,834).

Prince's personally worn “Diamonds and Pearls” cufflinks RR Auction
Prince’s personally worn “Diamonds and Pearls” cufflinks. Sold by RR Auction for $7,840.
Prince personally worn purple leather gloves RR Auction
Prince personally worn purple leather gloves. Sold by RR Auction for $6,373.
Prince personally worn paisley broach RR Auction
Prince personally worn paisley broach. Sold by RR Auction for $5,834.

See the complete list of Prince auction results here.

 

“The Prince Estate is not affiliated, associated, or connected with RR Auction or this auction, nor has it endorsed, authenticated or sponsored the items available for auction. Further, The Prince Estate has not licensed any of its intellectual property to RR Auction.”

Auction results: February, feat. US Presidents

(shown above, an American flag flown at the White House for two decades; sold at auction for $22,689.)

Auction results: February, feat. US Presidents

RR’s February Fine Autographs and Artifacts auction featuring US Presidents saw passionate collectors of presidential ALSs (Autographed Letter, Signed) bidding on some highly rare historical artifacts. Here are the auction results.

Despite aggressive bidding competitions for our near-complete set of presidential ALSs, it was instead a family heirloom that garnered the top spot in the auction results. A red swatch of fabric off the doomed Hindenburg airship sold for $36,282. The consignor’s grandmother – then a young teen at the event with her sisters and father, who was to be part of the Hindenburg landing crew that day – snatched the scrap from the wreckage at the unforgettable historic disaster:

Hindenburg swatch RR Auction
A remnant swatch off the doomed Hindenburg, obtained at the time of the disaster. Sold by RR Auction for $36,282.

There was plenty of Hail to the Chief, however, as autographed letters signed while in-office by US presidents yielded several great auction results. The top item was an ALS from LBJ, a letter to the wife of his Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, which achieved $27,455. George W. Bush and Richard Nixon also landed in the top five, while a unique land grant signed by Abraham Lincoln went for $15,496.

Another exceptional presidential artifact did well: An American flag (shown above) that was in service at the White House for 20 years – from Nixon to Reagan – took third spot with a sale price of $22,689.

International items also hit the top 10. A signed photograph of influential Chinese reformist leader Deng Xiaoping went for $14,323; a DS (Document, Signed) from Marie Antoinette garnered $13,316; and Scottish moral professor and political economist Adam Smith’s signature yielded $13,316.

There were also several Olympics-related items, which surely saw attention with the PyeongChang Winter Games opening today. The top item in that category was a St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics Official’s Participation Medal, which sold for $20,212.

St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics Official's Participation Medal RR Auction
St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics Official’s Participation Medal

Top 10 items sold

Hindenburg flown fabric swatch, sold for $36,282

Lyndon B. Johnson – ALS, sold for $27,455

White House flag, sold for $22,689

George W. Bush – ALS, sold for $22,689

Richard M. Nixon – ALS, sold for $20,626

St. Louis 1904 Summer Olympics Official’s Participation Medal, sold for $20,212

Abraham Lincoln – DS land grant, sold for $15,496

Deng Xiaoping – signed photo, sold for $14,323

Marie Antoinette – DS manuscript, sold for $13,316

Adam Smith – Signature, sold for $13,316

Abraham Lincoln signed land grant, sold by RR Auction for $15,496.

For the complete list of results from this auction, click here.

Auction results: 2017 top sales at RR Auction

John F. Kennedy at a typewriter with his book "Why England Slept," circa 1940. Photo credit John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

(Photo credit, above: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston)

2017 top sales at RR Auction

RR Auction had a terrific 2017! With more than 10,000 items sold, we grew our popular categories, like Space and JFK memorabilia, with record-breaking results. Let’s look at the 2017 top sales in review.

If we look at the Top 20 highest-grossing item sales for RR last year, we see the hot trends at auction. The categories of Space, JFK and Prince were huge winners. A few singled-out items relating to the infamous (Al Capone and Lee Harvey Oswald) garnered big consignor payoffs, as did a unique lot of Revolutionary War amputation kits. Several sales marked the highest price achieved for that individual at one of our auctions.

Buzz Aldrin's Apollo 11 Cartier solid gold Lunar Module replica, sold by RR Auction
Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Cartier solid gold Lunar Module replica, sold by RR Auction for $149,862.

Space takes off

RR has become the leader in curating artifacts relating to space exploration. Space sales snagged the most spots in our Top 20, with 8 items totalling $772,005. With our next Space auction on the horizon April 19, we’re expecting more records to be made this year.

Read more about our 2017 success in Space here.

World records set in Space category

More Space auction results

Prince yellow boots RR Auction
Prince stage-worn yellow boots, sold by RR Auction for $75,147.

Purple Rain reigns

Iconic music superstar Prince proved his passionate following continues. RR’s multiple themed auctions devoted to memorabilia from his incredible career proved to be some of the most exciting auction nights all year, with vigorous bidding interest. Of our Top 20, 4 Prince-ly items comprised a total in sales of $245,625. Our next Prince auction will be held Feb. 15.

More Prince auction results here.

 

Hail to the Chief

We were privileged to curate a special live auction for a sole item: The diary that a young John F. Kennedy kept over the summer of 1945, which went for $718,750. It was RR’s top seller of the year.

See photos and read about this incredible historic item.

Also, handwritten letters by US presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both attained the second-highest sales with RR for each of those men.

Al Capone's platinum and diamond watch RR Auction
Al Capone’s platinum and diamond watch, sold by RR Auction for $84,375.

Watch the watches

We’re noticing that watches are really becoming a hot trend at auction. RR has had much success with them – Moonwalker Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Chronograph achieved $1.625 million at our auction in 2015, a world record at the time. This year proved to be just as noteworthy, with two watches making it into our Top 10 of our 2017 top sales.

Mobster Al Capone’s glitzy diamond watch fetched $84,375, supporting his reputation as a sharp dresser – and obtaining the highest price to date we’ve had for a Capone artifact. And astronaut Alan Shepard’s flown watch from the Apollo 14 mission earned $81,312 at auction this year.

Read about this Hot Trend

Dr. John Warren's Revolutionary War Amputation Kits RR Auction
Dr. John Warren’s Revolutionary War Amputation Kits, sold by RR Auction for $104,147.

Rare and Remarkable

We also had some rather unique items this year! Our fifth best seller, at $104,147, was a set of amputation kits used during the US Revolutionary War by Continental Army surgeon Dr. John Warren, a founder of Harvard Medical School; one kit given to him by his famous brother, the patriot Dr. General Joseph Warren, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

RR also offered the toe tag of Lee Harvey Oswald; that item garnered $56,301 at auction.

2017 top sales overall at RR Auction

  1. John F. Kennedy diary from the summer of 1945: $718,750
  2. Buzz Aldrin’s Apollo 11 Cartier solid gold Lunar Module replica: $149,862
  3. Apollo 11 flown Command Module Columbia rescue arrow: $147,572
  4. Apollo 11 crew-signed flown flag presentation: $120,693
  5. Dr. John Warren’s Revolutionary War amputation kits: $104,147
  6. Al Capone’s diamond watch: $84,375 **
  7. Alan Shepard’s Apollo 14 Vacheron Constantin watch: $81,312
  8. RL-10 rocket engine: $78,346
  9. Apollo 11 LM flown page with Neil Armstrong notations: $78,346
  10. Prince’s personally owned and stage-worn yellow boots: $75,148
  11. George Washington ALS: $61,931 **
  12. Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 lunar orbit-flown CSM Systems Data Book: $60,995
  13. Prince’s own 1980 Rick James Tour All Access Pass: $60,367
  14. Prince 1986 ‘Camille’ advance pressing: $58,787
  15. Lee Harvey Oswald toe tag: $56,301
  16. Thomas Jefferson ALS: $54,908 **
  17. Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 lunar surface-used Contour Map: $54,879
  18. Isaac Newton DS: $53,806 **
  19. Prince’s Purple Rain 9-pg handwritten musical enhancement notes: $51,323
  20. Steve Jobs signed Newsweek magazine: $50,588 **

** best price achieved so far with RR Auction for this individual

Steve Jobs Apple autograph signed Newsweek cover RR Auction
Signed Newsweek cover of Steve Jobs, sold by RR Auction for $50,588.