October Brings Heightened Interest In Baseball And Presidential Memorabilia

Online, October 1, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Steve Verkman of Clean Sweep Auctions has been in the sports memorabilia business for 20 years, and he's rarely seen as much interest in collectable items as he has this year. Clean Sweep, who is currently hosting an auction of sports, entertainment and political themed memorabilia that includes items featuring Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Cy Young and JFK, has seen more new customers bidding on historic and one-of-a-kind items than ever before. The auction expert attributes many of the new collectors to trends in classic culture appearing in modern film and television, and from consumers wanting to own a piece of history - something President Obama's 2008 election campaign helped reignite.

Sports and entertainment memorabilia have been a part of American culture for over a century, but a new generation of collectors appear to be taking the industry by storm and they are buying some of the most rare and unique items available. Items such as the 1911 T3 complete baseball card set, featuring legendary players Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Cy Young is one of many collections that auction expert Steve Verkman expects to see an increased level of bidding on during his current auction. "The excitement around collectibles is uncanny right now," says Verkman, President of Clean Sweep Auctions. "We've seen more outstanding collections presented for auction and sold for record prices than ever before. And it's not just baseball cards, there's definitely a major interest in all types of sports and Presidential memorabilia, which has been gaining steam ever since the summer of 2008."

Autographed presidential memorabilia is a particularly hot item for the current Clean Sweep Auction as the 2012 presidential campaign hits feverish heights. Documents from the early 19th century, the 1928 Republican National Convention, and a 1960's Presidential Campaign brochure signed by JFK are among a handful of the Presidential memorabilia offered in the current auction.

Notable items included in the current Clean Sweep Auction Include:
Baseball Memorabilia
• 1909-11 T206 White Boarders Complete Set (cards) - featuring Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Cy Young
• 1911 T3 Complete Set (cards) - featuring Christy Matthewson, Wee Willie Keeler and Ty Cobb
• 1949 Eddie Lopat Yankee World Series Ring - near mint condition 14K gold World Series Championship ring
• Autographed Baseballs from Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Thurman Munson, key 1919 Black Sox Figure and many of the greatest players in the history of baseball

Presidential Memorabilia
• 1815 President James Madison signed land grant
• 1825 President John Quincy Adams signed land grant
• 1960 President John F. Kennedy signed campaign brochure

Entertainment Memorabilia
• 1940's Frank Sinatra signed photo
• Neil Armstrong signed photo
• Paul McCartney signed Beatles photo

Steve Verkman, the President of Clean Sweep Auctions, is available for interviews and select items from the auction can be viewed, or images provided, upon request. The current auction is live at www.CleanSweepAuctions.com and free catalogs featuring all content are available upon request.

About Clean Sweep: Steve Verkman, the President of Clean Sweep Auctions, has been quoted as an expert in authenticity and pricing for vintage sports memorabilia, in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC and much more. Clean Sweep has been featured on over 100 television programs across the country. Mr. Verkman has done work for the Nassau County District Attorney's office to help prevent sales of fake early baseball cards and organized an auction tobenefit the county.

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