A Quebec-based auction house has set a record in the sports memorabilia market with the sale of a rare early hockey postcard set for nearly $500,000.
Classic Auctions Inc. says the 1910-11 Sweet Caporal hockey postcard set sold for $357,594 US (about $487,686 Cdn), in what is believed to be the most expensive hockey postcard set ever sold.
The set includes 45 sepia-toned postcards featuring players from some of hockey’s earliest teams, including the Renfrew Creamery Kings, Ottawa Senators, Quebec Bulldogs, Montreal Wanderers and Montreal Canadiens.
Many of the players depicted are members of the Hockey Hall of Fame, including Georges Vézina and Art Ross. The collection is considered extremely rare, with only a handful of complete sets known to exist worldwide.
The postcards have been professionally graded, with 43 of the 45 receiving a grade of EX 5 or higher. Among the highlights is the Georges Vézina rookie postcard, graded EX/NM 6.
“This set was originally produced in extremely limited quantities and is extraordinarily rare,” said Marc Juteau, founder and president of Classic Auctions Inc. “It has been professionally graded and authenticated, and remains in very good condition for its age.”
The record-setting sale highlights continued demand for high-end historical sports memorabilia.
The postcard set was the centrepiece of a larger auction event featuring more than 1,000 lots, which generated more than $2 million in total sales.
Another notable item was a team-signed, game-used basketball from Game 7 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers.
The ball was used in Chicago’s 88-83 victory and was later given by Michael Jordan to longtime Bulls security guard Gus Lett. The moment was featured in the Netflix documentary The Last Dance.
Jordan scored 28 points and recorded eight assists in the game as the Bulls advanced on their way to winning another NBA championship.
The Spalding NBA basketball, signed by about 19 members of the Bulls organization, including Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, sold for $180,972 US (about $247,243 Cdn).
