Sotheby’s to Auction Largest Jewish Baseball Card Collection

For baseball fans, the thrill of discovering a favorite player in a new pack of cards is unforgettable. For Seymour Stoll, that joy came at age 14 when he pulled a Sandy Koufax card. Decades later, his passion for collecting has turned into what is hailed as the most complete Jewish baseball card collection in the world now heading to Sotheby’s auction with an estimated value of $500,000 to $700,000.

Stoll’s archive features over 500 cards representing 191 Jewish players across professional baseball history, including at least one card for every Jewish player to appear in a professional game as of the 2024 season. Highlights include Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg, alongside players like Ron Blomberg, Ian Kinsler, and Lipman Pike the first Jewish baseball star and one of the earliest professional players in the sport’s history.

The crown jewel of the collection is an 1867 tintype of Philadelphia Athletics star Levi Meyerle, one of only two such cards known to exist. Purchased for $750 three decades ago, the card is now appraised at $250,000 to $300,000. Despite Meyerle’s inclusion, some aficionados debate his Jewish heritage a concern acknowledged in Sotheby’s listing, which notes uncertainty about 14 players in the collection.

The archive also includes rare cards such as a 1930s Philip Weintraub card, a 1946 Cuban series card of Max Rosenfeld, and a counterfeit card of Harry Chozen, created by his family when the Cincinnati Reds refused to issue one due to his Jewish background.

Stoll’s collection celebrates Jewish contributions to baseball while highlighting the challenges players faced. Koufax and Greenberg, two of the game’s most iconic figures, encountered antisemitism during their careers, yet their achievements inspired generations.

For over 50 years, Stoll’s collection has been displayed at museums, synagogues, and community centers, including the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia. Reflecting on the collection, Stoll remarked, “It gives you a sense of pride in how Jewish players integrated into society. In the old days, they were blackballed. Today, they’re welcomed with open arms.”

The auction, part of Sotheby’s Americana series, runs until January 25, with options for Shabbat-observant bidders to participate in advance or via an agent. The collection not only honors Jewish athletes but also reflects the evolution of baseball and American attitudes toward inclusion.

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