Imagine stepping into a treasure trove where artefacts of America’s pastime—those delicate cardboard testaments to baseball’s golden age—are meticulously arranged for the discerning collector. This isn’t just any collection; it’s the prestigious Harry W. O’Brien Collection, soon to be offered at auction by none other than Paul McInnis Auctioneer in North Hampton, NH. This event isn’t merely a sale; it’s a philanthropic effort aimed squarely at batting a grand slam for education by benefiting the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund.
The collection comes courtesy of the late Harry W. O’Brien, a resident of Manchester, NH, whose penchant for memorabilia was inherited from his father, Daniel O’Brien. Daniel accumulated these treasures diligently during his service in both World Wars, embedding each piece with history and memories. The items up for grabs encompass a broad span of epochs in both baseball and cultural history, including pre-war baseball tobacco and gum cards that have survived the decades in astonishing condition.
Key attractions featured in this treasure chest include an array of 300 T206 cards, with no fewer than 48 Hall of Famers peeking from their century-old confines. Baseball legends Christie Mathewson and Cy Young appear in this set, offering a direct link to the game’s rustic roots. Alongside these, the auction boasts a complete set of 1911 T201 Mecca Folders and a cadre of 80 Goudey cards from the vibrant 1930s. Within this collection lurk the faces of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, Hallmarked heroes whose exploits on the field continue to inspire awe.
Furthermore, the offering isn’t limited to baseball. It features a robust lineup of 1910 T218 Mecca boxing cards showcasing Jack Johnson, a heavyweight champion whose legacy transcends the sport. The collection also includes a fascinating mix of vintage non-sports cards and comics from the 1940s featuring none other than cultural icons Superman and Batman, promising a broad appeal not just to sports enthusiasts but to patrons of early comic lore.
Aside from these pillars of collectibility, the auction also presents rare Philadelphia Caramels cards, 19 4-in-1 Exhibit cards vividly depicting Ruth and Gehrig, and numerous other rarities from the 1930s George C Miller issue—each card a snippet of sports history, professionally graded by SGC and ready for their new homes.
Included in the auction are myriad high-grade 1940s comics which, given their superb condition and the iconic characters they represent, are poised to whip up a frenzy among comic collectors and enthusiasts. Adding further allure, rare ticket stubs from monumental events like the inaugural game at Fenway Park in 1912 are up for grabs, bridging collectors directly with landmark moments in sports history.
The timing for this auction is impeccable, not just for the quality and breadth of items, but for its cause. With all proceeds channeling into the University of New Hampshire Scholarship Fund, each acquisition from this auction is an investment in the future education of young scholars.
Potential bidders and baseball aficionados can engage in pre-bidding now, a precursor to the grand finale—a live virtual webcast scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024. This event will see the collection disseminated in over 500 lots, each embedded with stories and a legacy of its own. Set your watches for 11:00 AM on the Paul McInnis website to participate in a historic gathering of baseball’s and cultural memorabilia’s finest.
As the gavel prepares to fall on these venerable items, collectors far and wide ready themselves for what promises to be more than an auction. It’s a celebration of history, a tribute to the ethos of baseball and comic book enchantment, and a forward-thinking contribution to the education of tomorrow’s leaders. The Harry W. O’Brien Collection not only offers a flashback to an age of innocence and heroes but also a tangible connection to the past, with every lot sold reinforcing the future.
