Appraisals for Lawyers,
Professional Advisors &
Fiduciaries
Advising clients who hold sports cards or sports memorabilia as part of an estate, trust, tax matter, insurance portfolio, or legal proceeding? Baseball in the Attic provides independent, standards-based appraisal reports designed for professional review, documentation, and defensibility.
Independent, Standards-Based Sports Collection Appraisals
Michael Osacky
When sports cards or sports memorabilia are part of estate administration, tax reporting, insurance coverage, charitable donation, or legal proceedings, valuation must meet recognized professional standards. Baseball in the Attic is led by Michael Osacky — USPAP-compliant, ISA-accredited, and Lead Appraiser at PSA, the world’s largest third-party grading and authentication company for sports cards and memorabilia.
Baseball in the Attic’s formal appraisal reports are prepared for legal and fiduciary use, accepted by courts, the IRS, insurers, and financial institutions. Internationally recognized and trusted by lawyers, fiduciaries, high-profile families, and professional athletes, Michael provides independent, defensible valuations supported by documented market data and consistent methodology.
Benefits of Appraising Your Sports Collection
A professional appraisal provides clarity, documentation, and an objective foundation for decision-making. Whether planning ahead or managing an inheritance, clear valuation helps protect family relationships and support responsible financial choices.
Estate Planning & Settlement
Valuations prepared for estate administration, probate, and asset distribution involving sports cards and sports memorabilia.
Tax Reporting & Compliance
Documented fair market value developed for IRS reporting and compliance requirements.
Insurance Scheduling & Claims
Appraisals supporting insurance scheduling, policy placement, and claims documentation.
Charitable Donation Valuation
Qualified appraisal reports prepared to support charitable contribution substantiation requirements.
Legal Proceedings
Defensible valuation prepared for court review, mediation, or other legal matters requiring documented fair market value.
Fiduciary & Trust Administration
Independent valuations supporting trustees, executors, and fiduciaries responsible for asset oversight and reporting.
Recent Valuations
Item
Brooklyn Tigers vs. Washington Redskins Program 11/12/1944
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
1944
Appraisal Value:
$225
Item
1948 Leaf #1 Joe DiMaggio
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1948
Appraisal Value:
$1,500
Item
Fleer #57 Michael Jordan Rookie
Type
Basketball Card
Year
1986
Appraisal Value:
$225,000
Item
Walter Payton Signed Jersey (PSA/DNA)
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$4,000
Item
Cracker Jack #65 Tris Speaker
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1914
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
Cracker Jack #65 Tris Speaker
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1914
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
Topps #123 Sandy Koufax PSA 7
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1955
Appraisal Value:
$7,500
Item
T3 Turkey Red Nap Lajoie (Checklist Back)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1911
Appraisal Value:
$2,300
Item
New York Yankees World Series Champions Team Signed Baseball (JSA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1932
Appraisal Value:
$15,000
Item
New York Yankees World Series Champions Team Signed Baseball (JSA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1932
Appraisal Value:
$15,000
Item
Oakland A’s World Champions Trophy
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1973
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Jackie Robinson Single Signed Baseball (JSA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$8,000
Item
Topps #25 Lew Alcindor PSA 7
Type
Basketball Card
Year
1969
Appraisal Value:
$4,000
Item
Topps Complete Set (250)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1954
Appraisal Value:
$6,000
Item
Goudey #53 Babe RuthSGC 3
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1933
Appraisal Value:
$14,000
Item
T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder SGC 2.5
Type
Baseball Card
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$4,500
Item
Roy Campanella Single Signed Baseball (Pre-Accident)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$35,000
Item
Panini Flawless Triple Logoman #TLM-JAE Jokic/Antetokounmpo/Embiid 1/1
Type
Basketball Card
Year
2022
Appraisal Value:
$100,000
Item
Topps Basketball #77 Bill Russell PSA 5
Type
Basketball Card
Year
1957
Appraisal Value:
$6,500
Item
Cy Young Signed Baseball
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$40,000
Item
University of Illinois Homecoming Pin
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
1924
Appraisal Value:
$300
Item
Jackie Robinson Signed Check
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$4,250
Item
Michael Jordan Air Jordan 1 Game Used & Signed Sneakers
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
1985-1987
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Michael Jordan Air Jordan 1 Game Used & Signed Sneakers
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
1985-1987
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Babe Ruth Signed Program PSA/DNA AUTO 9
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$6,000
Item
Heisman Trophy Award (Pre-1970s)
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
Pre-1970s
Appraisal Value:
Undisclosed
Item
Babe Ruth Signed Baseball
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$150,000
Item
Immaculate Logoman Signed Kobe Bryant BGS 9.5 1/1
Type
Basketball Card
Year
2014-2015
Appraisal Value:
$500,000+
Item
National Chicle #1 Dutch Clark PSA 8
Type
Football Card
Year
1935
Appraisal Value:
$30,000
Item
National Chicle #1 Dutch Clark PSA 8
Type
Football Card
Year
1935
Appraisal Value:
$30,000
Item
Los Angeles Dodgers NL Champions Ring
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1978
Appraisal Value:
$4,500
Item
Tip Top Bread Honus Wagner PSA 2
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1910
Appraisal Value:
$125,000
Item
Panini NFL Immaculate Unopened Box
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
2018
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
Babe Ruth Double Signed Bowling Scoresheet (PSA/DNA)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
-
Appraisal Value:
$13,500
Item
Fleer Ultra Football Hobby Box
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
2000
Appraisal Value:
$750
Item
Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle VG (O/C)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1951
Appraisal Value:
$10,000
Item
Beijing Olympics Basketball Gold Medal
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
2018
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
Post Cereal #109 Sandy Koufax (Canadian)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1962
Appraisal Value:
$275
Item
Jordan 4 Retro Oregon Ducks “Duckman”
Type
Basketball Memorabilia
Year
2013
Appraisal Value:
$10,500
Item
N173 Old Judge Detroit Deacon White
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1888
Appraisal Value:
$20,000
Item
Super Bowl LI Championship Ring Presented to Significant Player
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
2017
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
World Series Game 4 Full Ticket (Ty Cobb World Series Home Debut)
Type
Baseball Memorabilia
Year
1907
Appraisal Value:
$30,000
Valuations
Meet Michael, the
“Dean of Cracker Jack Baseball Cards”
Michael Osacky.
PSA’s Lead Appraiser, USPAP-compliant, Accredited Member of the International Society of Appraisers (ISA)
Michael Osacky’s love for the hobby began with a shoebox of baseball cards passed down from his grandfather — cards tucked away, saved carefully, and cherished long before anyone thought about market value. That early spark grew into decades spent immersed in sports history, handling rare collections, and understanding how condition, context, and provenance shape worth. Today, he is known as the “Dean of Cracker Jack Baseball Cards,” a title given by Forbes Magazine, and is arguably the world’s leading sports memorabilia appraiser.
No Sales Motive.
No Consignments.
No Conflicts of Interest.
Baseball in the Attic is not an auction house. Nothing is bought or sold. There is no incentive to inflate, deflate, or steer value in any direction. Every appraisal is handled personally, with care, clarity, and professional rigor — so clients can understand what they have, what it’s worth, and why it matters.
We Appraise Vintage Sports Cards, Autographs, Jerseys & More!
Sports
Cards
Game-Used Equipment
Autographed Memorabilia
Trophies
& Awards
Championship
Rings
Collections & Rare Finds
What Makes an Appraisal Defensible?
Defensible valuation is grounded in documented market evidence — not price guides or speculative resale estimates — and developed through careful analysis of condition, authenticity, rarity, and relevant comparable data within the specialized vintage sports market. y courts, the IRS, insurers, and opposing experts.
This level of evaluation requires deep subject-matter expertise in sports cards and sports memorabilia, particularly where grading nuances, provenance, and historical context materially affect value. It must also be conducted by an independent appraiser with no financial stake in buying, selling, brokering, or auction outcomes.
Michael Osacky brings this specialized expertise and independence to every appraisal, allowing his reports to withstand review by courts, the IRS, insurers, and opposing experts.
Clear Methodology and Professional Reporting
All appraisal reports include:
The Appraisal Process
Step 1
Consultation & Scope Definition
The process begins with a conversation to define the purpose of the appraisal — divorce, mediation, asset division, or legal review. Relevant details and representative photos are reviewed to determine scope and complexity.
Step 2
In-Person Inspection
All inspections are conducted in person by Michael Osacky. Sports cards and sports memorabilia are personally examined to assess condition, authenticity, and valuation context, ensuring accuracy and defensibility consistent with professional standards.
Step 3
Formal Appraisal Report
A detailed, itemized report is prepared using documented market data, consistent methodology, and USPAP-compliant standards. The final appraisal is structured for review by attorneys, financial advisors, insurers, or the court.