Estate Planning & Inheritance Appraisals for Sports Collections
Planning your estate or managing an inherited sports collection, and unsure what it’s worth? Receive an independent, formal appraisal so you can make informed decisions — with no sales motive and no pressure.
The Journey Behind My Appraisals
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.
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
Understanding the Role of Sports
Collections in Your Estate
Sports cards and memorabilia are often overlooked in estate planning and inheritance as purely sentimental, when in fact certain items can carry significant market value, sometimes thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
If you have a sports card or memorabilia collection, or have inherited one that may include rare or vintage pieces, it is worth having those items professionally appraised before making important decisions. An independent appraisal provides the clarity and documentation needed for estate planning, fair distribution, insurance coverage, donation, or sale.
Importance of Accurate Valuation for Fair Distribution
In estate planning and inheritance involving sports cards and memorabilia, accurate valuation helps ensure fair distribution among heirs. A documented appraisal provides an objective foundation, reducing misunderstandings and supporting transparent decisions that honor both the collection and the person who built it.
Minimizing Estate Taxes Through Proper Valuation
When sports cards or memorabilia are part of an estate, accurate valuation supports responsible tax reporting. The IRS requires assets to be reported at fair market value, and documented appraisals help prevent under- or over-reporting that could lead to penalties or challenges.
We Appraise Vintage Sports Cards, Autographs, Jerseys & More!
Sports
Cards
Game-Used Equipment
Autographed Memorabilia
Trophies
& Awards
Championship
Rings
Collections & Rare Finds
The Appraisal Process for Estate Planning
Clear, step-by-step guidance designed for estate planning and inheritance matters. From consultation to written report, you work directly with one experienced appraiser, with a transparent scope and clear communication throughout.
Step 1
Initial
Consultation
The first step is a phone or email consultation with Michael to review the collection and determine the appropriate appraisal scope. You do not need to sort or grade items beforehand; photos, boxes, binders, graded cards, autographs, receipts, or notes are helpful.
Step 2
Comprehensive Collection Inspection and Valuation
Items are evaluated in person by Michael to assess condition, authenticity, grading status, rarity, demand, and current market evidence. Collections may include cards, signed items, equipment, photos, or programs, across one sport or multiple categories.
Step 3
Final Report: Legally Recognized Valuations
The final deliverable is a formal written appraisal prepared for estate settlement, inheritance planning, insurance scheduling, charitable donation, or equitable distribution. The report is independent and not tied to the purchase of the collection.
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.
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.
Ensuring Fair Distribution Among Heirs
A documented appraisal establishes objective values, allowing items to be divided by documented worth, assigned equal shares, or sold with proceeds distributed fairly. Neutral valuation reduces confusion and promotes transparency among family members.
Tax Planning and Deduction Benefits
A formal appraisal supports estate documentation, charitable donation valuation, and insurance coverage. The written report can be shared with attorneys, CPAs, executors, or financial advisors to ensure accurate reporting and coordinated planning.
Preventing Family Disputes Over Valuable Assets
Uncertainty about value often creates tension among heirs. An independent appraisal provides a neutral, professional reference point, reducing assumptions and uneven knowledge so families can move forward with clarity and mutual understanding.