Independent Appraisals for Sports COLLECTIBLES & Memorabilia
Discover the real value of your sports memorabilia or sports card collection — for selling, insurance, estate planning, divorce, donations, and more — through a professional valuation by internationally recognized appraiser Michael Osacky.
Request an Appraisal
Serving collectors, estates, and attorneys nationwide — Michael travels for on-site appraisals.
As Seen In
Every appraisal is handled personally, with care, clarity, and professional rigor — free from pressure or incentive — so clients can understand what they have, what it’s worth, and why it matters.
Independent Sports Appraisals, Across All Major Sports
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
1986 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
1914 Cracker Jack #65 Tris Speaker
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1914
Appraisal Value:
$3,500
Item
1955 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
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
1969 Topps #25 Lew Alcindor PSA 7
Type
Basketball Card
Year
1969
Appraisal Value:
$4,000
Item
1954 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
1957 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
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
1935 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 Card
Year
2000
Appraisal Value:
$750
Item
Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle VG (O/C)
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1951
Appraisal Value:
$15,000
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
Super Bowl LI Championship Ring Presented to Significant Player
Type
Football Memorabilia
Year
2017
Appraisal Value:
Private
Item
1962 Jell-O Baseball Complete Box #109 Sandy Koufax
Type
Baseball Card
Year
1962
Appraisal Value:
$4,000
Item
2000 Bowman #236 Tom Brady PSA 10
Type
Football Card
Year
2000
Appraisal Value:
$15,000
Item
1965 Topps #122 Joe Namath PSA 5
Type
Football Card
Year
1965
Appraisal Value:
$5,000
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. Michael is frequently asked to testify in courts and regularly does IRS Donation Appraisals.
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.
Formal Appraisal Reports for Real-World Decisions
Independent. Personal. Precise.
At the heart of Baseball in the Attic is its one-person approach, defined by the direct involvement, seasoned expertise, and careful attention of Michael Osacky, a USPAP-compliant appraiser for sports collectibles.
Nostalgic by nature.
Sports collectibles carry memory and meaning. Michael approaches each item with historian-level care, honoring its story and context. Nostalgia isn’t sentimentalized; it’s understood as part of the value.
Credibility that matters.
With ISA accreditation, PSA leadership experience, and decades in the hobby, Michael brings earned authority. His valuations are rigorous, defensible, and trusted by collectors, insurers, attorneys, and the IRS.
No Conflicts. No Hidden Agenda.
Baseball in the Attic appraises only — never buys or sells. With no stake in the outcome, values aren’t inflated or steered. Every appraisal is independent, objective, and grounded in research and standards.
You work directly with Michael.
From the first conversation through the final appraisal report, Michael personally handles every step. No junior appraisers, no handoffs. Just clear communication, careful evaluation, and discretion throughout.
Sports Card
Appraisals
Baseball in the Attic provides professional appraisal services of vintage and modern sports cards across all major sports, specializing in material from the 1870s through the 1970s. Michael Osacky handles appraisals personally, typically through in-person inspection, for single high-value cards as well as large, bulk collections.
Types of sports cards appraised include:
Valuations are based on condition standards, rarity, grading impact, and historical market demand.
Sports Memorabilia Appraisals
Baseball in the Attic appraises vintage and modern sports memorabilia, autographs, and collectibles across all major sports, specializing in historically significant material from the 1870s through the 1970s. Appraisals are conducted personally by sports memorabilia appraiser Michael Osacky through in-person evaluation.
Types of sports memorabilia appraised include:
Valuations emphasize authentication, provenance, condition, and historical context, particularly for rare or one-of-a-kind items.
The Appraisal Process:
Expert Valuations for Your Collection
Step 1
Initial Conversation & Photo Review
Every appraisal begins with a conversation. Michael asks a few key questions and reviews photos to understand the collection and its purpose. For large collections, a photo of every single item is not required.
Step 2
In-Person Inspection
Appraisals are handled personally by Michael, typically through an in-person evaluation to accurately assess condition, authenticity, and scope.
Step 3
Formal Appraisal Report
A written appraisal is completed using research, market data, and professional standards, suitable for insurance, estate, legal, or planning needs.
Who We Serve:
Tailored Appraisal Services for Every Collection
What Our Clients Are Saying
It was a pleasure to work with Michael. He is a gentleman. His knowledge of the players and their cards is extraordinary. I highly recommend him.
Peter H., retired lawyer, Connecticut
There is no one like Michael Osacky. Not only do I have a complete record of every item, but I also have an identifiable index with descriptions and appraised values that can be forwarded to insurance companies.
Andy H., Los Angeles, CA
Michael appraised my dad’s Yankees signed baseball collection—extremely valuable not only monetarily but for its many memories and family connections. I’m happy I trusted Michael and am thoroughly satisfied with his work. A pleasure to work with and highly recommended.
Ed H., New York City
Michael is a true professional who delivers detailed, timely reports that help clients value their collections. His expertise in sports cards and memorabilia stands out. I highly recommend Michael.
Corey B., Business Manager, Los Angeles
Michael’s approach is friendly and professional, and his written explanation of how he conducts his appraisal is quite detailed and impressive. It was a pleasure to work with Michael, and I endorse him with great confidence.
John A., Boston
In a hobby full of proverbial minefields, I always exercised caution when dealing with new people. Luckily, Michael is one of the hobby’s most knowledgeable and trustworthy professionals. He is proficient, pleasant to work with, and very communicative.
Lou F. Baltimore, Maryland
My father is the late Charlie O. Finley. My family’s memorabilia needed to be insured. Michael Osacky came highly recommended. He was honest, knowledgeable and thorough with his appraisal. I would use him again.
Marty F., Indiana
Michael helped me to authenticate and appraise a Babe Ruth autograph that has been passed down through my family and holds great personal importance. Michael went above and beyond, recommending a restoration expert and then working with me to appraise the item. I could not be happier!
Shauna M., Rhode Island.
Michael completed an appraisal of a premium box suite at MetLife Stadium for donation purposes. Throughout the entire process, he demonstrated exceptional professionalism, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to accuracy. I confidently recommend Michael for any future appraisal assignments involving premium event spaces, hospitality suites, or similar assets.
Sean B., Princeton, New Jersey
Michael did a great job reviewing my card collection, which is primarily baseball-focused, with an emphasis on early Detroit cards. His follow-up investigation and subsequent appraisal report were amazing.
Bob, Michigan