Sale of Babe Ruth’s jersey hits price record out of the ball park

A BASEBALL jersey worn by New York Yankees icon Babe Ruth between 1928 and 1930 sold for $5.64 million (about R80m) – a record auction price for sports memorabilia – during Hunt Auctions’ recent Babe Ruth Collection auction at Yankee Stadium.

The previous record auction mark for sports memorabilia of $4.4m was set in 2012 by a 1920 Ruth jersey.

During his 15-year stint with the Yankees, Ruth helped the team win seven American League pennants and four World Series championships.

His big swing in the 1927 season produced a record 60 home runs and immeasurably boosted the sport’s popularity in the US.

Infamous for wild behaviour and heavy drinking off the field, The Big Bam died in 1948 at the age of 53. Ruth remains a part of American culture, and Donald Trump last year posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Nicknamed “The Bambino” and “The Sultan of Swat”, Ruth began his career as a left-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. ANTIQUES and collectables of all descriptions will be on offer when the contents of the well-known antique store Mandy’s on Main in Retreat go under the hammer on July 3.

Next month’s auction will offer “bargains for the bargain hunters and precious items for the treasure hunters”, according to the owner, Mandy Broodryk, who will retire after 33 years in the antiques trade.

The sale will be hosted by Alf Duncan Auctioneers, which has had a long-standing relationship with Broodryk.

Alf Duncan Auctioneers has conducted large-scale auctions that include the sale of the set dressings from the popular television series and the contents of The Prop House in Woodstock.

Of the upcoming sale, auctioneer Justin Knott says: “There will be myriad items on offer, ranging from large pieces of furniture such as a beautiful oak roll-top desk, a Victorian mahogany chiffonier, wardrobes and washstands to finely crafted silver, porcelain and glassware, with something to suit everyone’s pocket.”

In addition, luggage will be up for bidding, including leather bags, travel trunks and hat boxes.

“Vintage luggage works well as decor items, but such pieces are also functional and certain to be a talking point, whether at home or out on your travels,” Knott says.

Also on offer will be art, antique tools, chandeliers and lamps, plus an old Coca-Cola fridge that is “neat as a pin”. The list goes on, Knott says.

Angie Humm, general manager at Alf Duncan, says: “This is an exciting sale for us, not only because of our relationship with Mandy but also because it is a treat to have such a wonderful selection of antiques and collectables under one roof.” The auction will be held on site at Mandy’s on Main, 4 White Road, Retreat, at 11am on July 3. Viewing will be on July 1 and July 2, from 10am until 3pm on both days.

For more details, call Alf Duncan Auctioneers on 0218548589 or email angie@alfduncan.co.za