Greg Bussineau Auction Catalog review - late

At the end of June I heard about an upcoming Greg Bussineau Sports Rarities auction. I wasn't familiar with this auction house so I contacted them and requested a catalog. It arrived very quickly and was filled with such nice items that I was stunned.

They say that the three rules of serious collecting are quality, quality, and quality. This auction offered all three. Most of the 588 lots shown in the 112 page catalog are graded cards and sets. Not just any graded cards, but several are the highest graded cards known. Quality sometimes equals high prices.

The auction ran from June 30th to July 21st.  I wasn't planning on bidding and GBSR knew that.  But, time slipped by and my intentions for an auction preview went with it.

So, I'll offer a look back at three items that interested me.


Title: 1933 Goudey #119 Rogers Hornsby PSA NM-MT 8
Lot #: 147
Description: One of two cards featuring Hall-of-Fame legend Rogers Hornsby within the 1933 Goudey set. Hornsby was one of the finest players in Major League baseball history. His list of notable accomplishments is almost endless. Two that really stick out, his lifetime batting average of .358 is the second highest (behind Ty Cobb) in baseball history, and he was one of only two players (along with Ted Williams) to win two hitting Triple Crown Awards.
This is one of the most attractive cards in the '33 Goudey set. It features an amazing horizontal image of Hornsby leaning over to field a ball. The offered example is nicely centered with crisp vibrant artwork, great print quality, and a flawless surface.
Minimum Bid: $1,500
Closing Bid: $3,600
My Thoughts: I've enjoyed the 1933 Goudey set and Rogers Hornsby.  I don't know that I've researched them enough to have ever noticed the horizontal image on the vertical layout. Or vice versa.

Title: 1967 Philadelphia #35 Gale Sayers PSA MINT 9
Lot #: 545
Description: The great Gale Sayers' second card. This example has beautiful yellow borders, four perfect corners, and absolutely pristine image and surface quality. Tied for the finest known PSA graded copy.
Minimum Bid: $300
Closing Bid: $540
My Thoughts: It is Gale Sayers.  What isn't to like?  The card is crisp and the pose is fantastic.  This, boys and girls, is what a football player looks like.

Title:  1970-71 Topps #3 Bobby Orr PSA GEM MT 10
Lot #: 580
Description:  This is the one and only example of Bruins Hall-of-Fame great Bobby Orr's 1970-71 Topps card to be graded GEM MT 10 by PSA. The card is an absolutely perfect gem. Dead-on centering, blazing sharp corners, bright snow-white borders, and brilliant orange background color.
The 1970-71 season was a sensational one for Orr. He set the all-time record for most points scored by a defenseman (139), a record he still holds today. He won his second Hart Memorial Trophy, and his fourth Norris Memorial Trophy. And for the fourth year in a row, he was named a first team NHL All Star.
A unique opportunity to acquire the best of the best.
Minimum Bid: $1,000
Closing Bid: $7,500
My Thoughts: With the oppressive heat that has been slamming the nation I decided to turn to something cool.  What's cooler than a hockey card?  A Gen Mint 10 Bobby Orr hockey card.  I rooted for the Bruins during the time that this card was manufactured.  I don't know that I ever collected hockey cards in my youth, but I'd like to have this one now.

Sorry that I didn't get this post completed before the auction ended, but Greg Bussineau Sports Rarities will be hosting their 2011 Fall Auction in November.  I promise to do a better job next time.