Donation Appraisals for
Sports Cards &
Memorabilia
Planning to donate sports cards or sports memorabilia to a museum, institution, or charitable organization? Receive an independent appraisal with clear documentation to support tax, estate, and thoughtful giving decisions.
Independent Sports Appraisals, Across All Major Sports
Michael Osacky
Baseball in the Attic is an independent sports appraisal practice run 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. Michael provides formal, written appraisals for everything from insurance and estate planning to donation and legal matters. Each appraisal reflects a lifelong passion for the hobby, paired with the rigor and independence required for serious valuation.
When a Sports Collection Requires a Formal Valuation
Donating a collection is often about more than value — it is about legacy, stewardship, and placing meaningful items in the right hands. At the same time, proper documentation is essential for tax reporting, estate planning, and institutional review.
An independent appraisal provides both: a clear understanding of fair market value and a structured report that supports responsible, well-informed giving.
Most donation appraisals require Michael to fill out and sign IRS Form 8283. This signed form is delivered at same time as the appraisal report .
When a Donation Appraisal Is Needed
Donating high-value sports cards or memorabilia often requires a formal appraisal of their value in order to:
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
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
Understanding What You Have — and Why It Matters
Sports collections vary widely in value, rarity, and historical significance. Some items carry substantial market value; others hold archival or cultural importance that extends beyond price. A professional appraisal clarifies both — helping donors understand not just what something is worth, but why it matters.
Value. Significance. Placement.
A donation appraisal brings clarity to three essential questions:
Market Value
Fair market value supported by documented comparable data.
Historical Significance
Context, grading considerations, and provenance that affect importance.
Institutional Relevance
Whether specific items may hold interest for museums or institutions.
What Builds Trust in a Donation Appraisal
Donors making legacy decisions need independence, clarity, and respect for the collection’s story. An appraisal should be transparent, well-documented, and free from sales influence.
Michael Osacky approaches each collection with professional rigor and an understanding that these items often represent decades of history, family connection, and personal meaning.
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.