The "Thank You Uncle Jimmy!" Story

 It was an ordinary day.  Reading about the baseball card collection that Mr. James Micioni passed on to his seven nephews and nieces after he recently died.  "Uncle Jimmy", as he was known, never married and never had any children of his own.  He lived a modest life as a factory worker and high school janitor.  He loved the Yankees, loved the Pope and loved Jackie Robinson.  And, he definitely loved the sport of baseball.  Loved it so much that when he recently died at the age of 97 his seven nieces and nephews, who ranged in age from 49 to 69, made the journey to the attic of their Uncle Jimmy to see exactly what he had placed up there.  

Uncle Jimmy, master baseball card collector!

They already had examined the baseball memorabilia that was stored in the basement.  They said it was like a mini-museum down there with boxes and boxes of baseball memorabilia.  But, when they entered the attic, they began to realize exactly what he had saved for them.  Notebook binder after notebook binder carried autographed cards; many signed Babe Ruth cards.  He had alwsys told them that Babe Ruth was in his attic.  Actually, there were six signed Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey cards.  They were the highlight of more than 1,000 vintage cards found in remarkable condition.  All told, Uncle Jimmy had an estimated 100,000 baseball cards.  Uncle Jimmy's collection also included rare pennants, World Series programs, signed newspaper clippings, photos, regional sets, pins and so much more.  The relatives chose Mr. Chuck Whisman of Wheatland Auction Services from Lancaster, Pennsylvania to sell their new sports collection.  Wheatland Auction Services in located at 2160 Lincoln Highway East, Suite 3 and takes pride in helping you get the greatest return on your sports memorabilia.  They are known nationwide for their Sports Card, Memorabilia and Autograph Auctions.  They have 40 combined years of experience and knowledge in the sports memorabilia industry.  The collection was authenticated by "Professional Sports Authenticator" and said it was "one of the finest private collections of baseball cards, autographs and photos ever to surface in the hobby.  Wow!  Uncle Jimmy obtained the autographs through the mail by sending the cards and a nice letter asking for an autograph, along with a self-addressed envelope.  The family auctioning only part of the collection with much of the collection, worth millions, placed in a safe place for the future.  What's interesting is that Uncle Jimmy never did the collecting for the money.  He did it for the thrill of getting the cards and having them autographed.  He knew he had a part of history in the game of baseball in his basement and attic.  The following are some of the items that have been or are to be auctioned:

Jimmy put sets together the old-fashioned way each year, opening packs, collating them and putting them away.  Among the sets that will be on the market are his high-grade 1948 Bowman and Topps sets from 1956, 1965, 1967, 1970 and 1971.  He also had numerous obscure vintage sets.  The following are a variety of cards to be auctioned in the near future (I have cut and pasted this from an online story)

*Numerous unopened boxes including 2000 UD Pros & Prospects Football (Tom Brady rookie year), 1997-1998 Topps Chrome Basketball box, 1982 Topps Baseball hobby box, 1981 Topps Football Cello box and others. 

*1951 Topps Blue Back & Red Back complete sets, 1936-37 Goudey Wide Pen Joe DiMaggio RC BVG 4, 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcinder RC BVG 6.5, 1970-71 Topps Pete Maravich Rookie Card PSA 7, 1961 Mickey Mantle PSA 7, 1971 Kellogg’s Roberto Clemente PSA 9.*2011 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Trout BGS 9.5, 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout PSA 9, 1993 UD SP Derek Jeter BVG 8, 1985 Nike Michael Jordan RC BGS 8.5, 2012-13 Panini Marquee Kobe Bryant Auto BGS 9 (Auto 10), multiple Luka Doncic Prizm rookies (including a BGS 9.5 Gem Mint), multiple Zion Williamson rookies.

*Vintage complete baseball card sets (many in high quality, high-grade condition), including 1959 Topps Baseball, 1960 Topps baseball, 1960 Fleer baseball, 1959 Fleer Ted Williams near set, 1966 Topps baseball and 1988-89 Fleer basketball.

*Vintage advertising pieces, including a 1947 Louisville Slugger Stan Musial original countertop display. 

*Rare baseball pennants and stadium pins from the 1940s-1960s.

*1975 Laughlin Super Stand Ups hand-colored and signed by artist Bob Laughlin. Includes players Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Willie Mays.

If you are interested in bidding, bidding will continue through May 17 on Wheatland’s website.

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His nieces and nephews knew he had collectibles that no one else had.  A true collector.  Uncle Jimmy was one of a kind.  Too bad he didn't have an Uncle Jimmy card that he could have autographed for each one of his relatives. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.