FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date of Release: June 9, 2017

Grant Zahajkos June 24 Auction Aims high with 1936 Berlin Olympics US Basketball Gold Medal

Special highlight: Superb US Basketball Team Players Olympic Gold Medal from 1936 Berlin Olympics, 1st
year of basketball competition

DAVENPORT, WA Weve all heard the one about how Mom threw out baseball cards that are now worth a
fortune. Grant Zahajkos June 24 Sports Cards & Memorabilia Auction tells a refreshingly different version
of the story through a trove of 1950s/60s baseball cards that were left untouched and beautifully preserved by
one lucky collectors mom.

This is a great story, said Zahajko, who is the Spokane-area companys owner and auctioneer. Around 20
years ago the consignor went to help him mom move and, in the process, discovered his boyhood collection
of cards produced primarily by Topps from 1953 to 1962. He had always been fastidious about putting them
in sleeves and keeping them in a climate-controlled environment. They were in such fantastic condition that
when we sent them off for grading, many of them came back a condition nine.

In all, 500 cards were professionally graded. They will be apportioned into 125 auction lots. The majority
were sent to PSA for grading, Zahajko said, but the auctions opener, a coveted 1955 Topps #164 Roberto
Clemente rookie card, was sent to Beckett, where it was graded excellent/mint 6.5. Its auction estimate is
$2,000-$3,000.

Another card that collectors will be happy to see is a 1955 Topps #123 rookie card for Brooklyn Dodgers ace
pitcher Sandy Koufax. PSA-graded 5, it is expected to sell for $500-$800. PSA-graded Exc./Mint 6, which is
extremely high for a ticket, an unused Shea Stadium ticket from 1969 World Series pitting the miracle New
York Mets against the Baltimore Orioles, should garner a winning bid of $700-$1,000. SGC graded the
prized 1909-1911 American Tobacco Co. T206 cards entered in the auction, which came from a different
consignor than the main collection.

Whats great about this auction selection is that it allows collectors of all budgets to buy cards that are in
excellent condition across the board. This will be a good opportunity for collectors to fill some slots,
Zahajko said.

An extraordinary rarity and the highest-estimated collectible in the auction is the gold medal that was won by
John H. Tex Gibbons of the U.S. Mens Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin,
Germany. The medal comes directly from Gibbons family and is accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity
signed by Gibbons son and an extensive archive of ephemera documenting the basketball teams ocean
voyage to Germany, their participation in the Games, and the social events, side trips and other activities
organized by the Olympic committee while they were in Europe.

The gold medal is remarkable for several reasons, Zahajko said. There was a great article in Sports
Illustrated that talked about how the first American Dream Team was actually the 1936 Olympic team.
Except for one man, all of them were already professional basketball players. Also, 1936 was the first year
that basketball was included in the Olympics. Playing conditions at the Berlin Games were minimal. They
played on a dirt court in a horse pasture, in the driving rain. They couldnt even dribble. They had to pass.
The final game ended with a score of USA 19, Canada 8.

Zahajko said that during his career he has appraised three Olympic Gold Medals from members of the 1936
Olympics U.S. basketball team. The first medal he evaluated was privately held and not for sale. The second
was very worn, a condition 1 out of 10, with a hole drilled into it. That example sold for $67,000 in 2015.
The Gibbons medal is in exceptionally fine condition and is accompanied by a large archive of unique
documentation, supporting a pre-sale estimate of $100,000-$150,000.
The auction showcases American pop culture in its many forms. Sixteen 1930s/40s model sheets created by
Disney animator Ted Bonnicksen (1915-1971) come with direct family provenance. Among the highlights
are drawings of Mickey Mouse (including Mickey and the Beanstalk), Donald Duck, and characters from
Fantasia, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Casey at the Bat, and military-themed shorts produced during World War II.

A key issue of Mad magazine published in July 1955 represents the first to carry the cover slogan What, Me
Worry? and the 25 Cents Cheap price. The July 1955 publication was also the first Mad to appear in
magazine format. CGC-graded 8.5, it is estimated at $800-$1,200.

Historically important on a world scale, a rare Project Mercury first day cover is signed by several legendary
astronauts, including John Glenn, Alan Shepard and Virgil Gus Grissom. It is date-stamped Feb. 20, 1962
from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Project Mercury was the United States first human spaceflight program and
a high-profile part of the Space Race against Russia, Zahajko noted. The auction estimate on the first day
cover is $2,500-$3,500.

Grant Zahajkos June 24, 2017 auction of sports cards, memorabilia, celebrity autographs and books will
start at 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The gallery is located at 510 Morgan St., Davenport, WA
99122. For additional information, call 509-725-5600 or email info@gzauctions.com. All forms of bidding
will be available including absentee, phone and live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers.com.

CAPTION:

Obverse and reverse views of Olympic Gold Medal won by John H. Tex Gibbons of the U.S. Mens
Basketball Team at the Olympic Games held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Family provenance. Accompanied
by LOA signed by Gibbons son, Donald E. Gibbons. Estimate $100,000-$150,000

Grant Zahajko
510 Moran St.
Davenport, WA 99122
509-725-5600
info@gzauctions.com
http://www.gzauctions.com

Keywords:
Autographs, Disney, Memorabilia, Olympics
Baseball cards, Gold Medal, Disney art, Celebrity autographs

Quote:
Whats great about this auction selection is that it allows collectors of all budgets to buy cards that are in
excellent condition across the board. This will be a good opportunity for collectors to fill some slots,
Zahajko said.

About:
As a third generation Auctioneer, Grant Zahajko grew up in the auction business. He has spent over 25 years
specializing in sports cards & memorabilia, coins, toys, books, artwork, ephemera, antiques and more. He
has catalogued and conducted hundreds of general auctions and auctions in these areas of specialty.

Through his experience with auctions and private sales, Grant has assisted thousands of collectors in the
acquisition and evaluation of items. He has also helped raise money for local charities by volunteering to
auction at their events.