This weekend's auctions are led by an extremely rare Nirvana-signed poster, a Tiger Woods that has card sleuths buzzing and signed items from Marilyn Monroe and Benjamin Franklin.
Analysis is provided from cllct's Will Stern, Darren Rovell and Ben Burrows.
Nirvana band-signed “In Utero” promotional poster
This rare promotional poster, created for Nirvana’s “In Utero” album, was given in small batches to Dreamwork Records in September 1993 and signed by the full band. Extremely few examples exist as these posters were not meant for public distribution and for “promotional use only.”
Stern: There’s so much to love about this piece.
The enduring image of the Anton Corbijn photo. The incredible scarcity of the signed posters, which are notable as they feature unusually excellent penmanship — which is quite uncommon for the band during this era at the height of their fame, when they would typically sign in a rushed, haphazard manner.
Provenance hailing directly from a former employee makes this especially enticing. The proximity to Cobain’s death less than a year after this signature not only adds a dark intrigue, but also helps place the autographs in context.
The poster already has caught a bid at $5,000, and with very few comps, I’m flying blind here, but this is a $15,000-plus piece in my mind.
1946 Marilyn Monroe-signed document
This document from the earliest days of Monroe’s career — before she ever appeared in a film — was signed the same day she signed her first contract with 20th Century Fox for $125 per month. She had yet to change her birth name, signing Norma Jean Dougherty.
Stern:: Any time celebrities change their name, collectors are instantly provided with a “before and after” moment, delineating early signatures from later (i.e. Cassius Clay). This is a perfect example of that.
I'd certainly rather have the actual contract, but this document, which instructs the cashier of 20th Century Fox to send all payments to the National Concert and Artists Corporation, is obviously closely tied.
At a $3,000 starting bid, I’d be shocked if this didn’t sell.
Rovell: This is a really cool document signed by Marilyn Monroe as Norma Jean Dougherty close to when she changed her name, not yet legally, but professionally. It’s a 9 sig, which is rare for the lefty Marilyn.
The consignor made the bad decision of putting other things in the PSA case, which is misguided, and might serve to lower the price here. We are told everything is removable and will not stain. The winner will definite "crack out" the slab here.
Wayne Gretzky/Gordie Howe ticket
Rovell: I feel like this is a $1,000-plus ticket if it’s graded and not on eBay, but it’s very possible it still gets there. It’s the first time the two greatest hockey players faced each other in a game.
Howe was 50. Gretzky was 17. In the game, Gretzky stole the puck from Howe, and Howe skated back and cracked Gretzky in the hand. They played a couple times more together, in the WHA All-Star Games and a couple of times in the NHL.
F1 remote-controlled car
This remote-controlled F1 car is poised to become the most expensive in history when it sells in England on Thursday, just days before the British Grand Prix.
The car, a 1:3 scale replica of the 2003 world champion Ferrari F2002, is signed by Michael Schumacher, who drove the original Ferrari to win the 2003 championship.
Stern: Not going to sugar coat it — $250,000 feels like a lot for a remote-control car, I don’t care how detailed the production process was. But, considering the rich history of motorsports, particularly F1, and doubly so for Ferrari, I have a feeling the auction house is banking on Ferrari placing the final bid to take this one home for display in its headquarters.
Rovell: This is a really risky move for anyone thinking this is an investment. There isn’t a strong remote car market, so this must be seen as a one off for some rich person. There can’t be any hope of a flip.
1996 Sports Illustrated For Kids Tiger Woods BGS 10
Stern: There has been a ton of work done by card sleuths online regarding the questionable authenticity of some 1996 Tiger Woods SI For Kids cards. Especially Tiffany Cards and auburn35 — hat tips to both of them for pointing out this card, which sold at Robert Edward Auctions in 2022 for $20,400 with the following disclaimer:
“Research into these cards, their method of issue, and their subsequent grading indicate that some graded examples may have been re-perforated after the fact through the trimming away of existing perforations and the use of a perforating tool to attempt to replicate the intended design. While the appearance of the cards is often similar enough to not elicit suspicion, a careful examination reveals that cards which have undergone this process typically display fewer perforated tabs than intended. The offered card is, in our opinion, an example of a card that is likely not as issued despite its high numerical grade.”
REA was referring to methods used by careful investigators who have used the number of perforations apparent on the card to judge authenticity, which some believe to be evidence of alteration in the case of this BGS 10 example. Props to REA for noting it in its lot description originally, would like to see the same transparency from Probstein here.
"Star Wars" vintage early bird set
With Kenner Toys in a rush to get “Star Wars” action figures out the door in time for Christmas in 1977, the company sent out a mail-away certificate program consisting of the first available toys and a redemption for the first full twelve display stand.
Stern: This is one of my favorite pieces of early Star Wars history. An awesome item with a great story behind it and the beginning of a massively popular brand. But the estimate on this AFA 80 example ($40,000 to $50,000) is totally out of whack. These usually sell for less than half that. Still, undeniably cool.
1952 Topps Willie Mays PSA 4
Burrows: This exact card sold last May for $13,789.20 at Memory Lane, though I expect this auction to top that price with it so closely following Mays’ death in June. I personally put less stock into the PWCC eye appeal designations than most, but I expect it to play a factor this time around.
Stern: We’ve seen a ton of record highs set in the wake of Mays' death for his mid-career, mid-grade cards. Will be interesting to see how that carries over with something a bit pricier.
Benjamin Franklin signed document
Franklin signed this letter in 1797, three months before the Constitutional Convention.
Rovell: There are a bunch of Ben Franklins, but this is gonna be a PSA 8, which is hard. The document isn’t significant here, but the fact you can get a date on it by the signature makes it an incredible candidate for a great cut. This is a $13,000 piece in my opinion.
Stern: I imagine this is what my third grade teacher had in mind when trying to teach us to write in script. What a gorgeous signature. When it comes to figures such as Franklin, as Rovell mentions above, the lack of significance of the document is not a death knell due to his prominence.
I expect to see this document, cut up, in a future Leaf or Topps product coming soon.
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #149 PSA 2
Burrows: I admit, I’m a sucker for the 1933 Goudey set. It’s, in my opinion, arguably the most visually impressive set ever made and always one worth watching. Similar examples have been selling for between $12,000 and $14,000 over the last two years, and I think this has a chance to top those prices — it’s already at $8,500 with several days to go.
Stern: Much like Burrows, I share the same affinity for the iconic Goudey set. This is on a tier just below “Mount Rushmore” level in my opinion, and collectors have shown they’re willing to pay up for examples with excellent presentation/eye appeal.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.
Darren Rovell is the founder of cllct.com and one of the country's leading reporters on the collectibles market. He previously worked for ESPN, CNBC and The Action Network.
Ben Burrows is a report and editor for cllct.