Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron was born in Mobile, Alabama, on February 5, 1934. From 1954 to 1976 Aaron played for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers, amassing an impressive list of career statistics – a .305 batting average, 3,771 hits, 755 home runs, 2,297 RBI’s and 25 All-Star game appearances.

Inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1982, Hank Aaron remains one of the game’s most popular players. Here are ten MVP items from Aaron’s fabulous career spanning an array of collectible categories.

1. Hank Aaron 1954 Topps Rookie Card

Hank Aaron made his major league debut on April 13, 1954, where he went 0-for-5 against the Cincinnati Reds’ hard-throwing southpaw Joe Nuxhall. Ten days later, Aaron collected his first big league home run, with the Cardinals’ Vic Raschi serving up the boomer.

Henry Aaron’s 1954 Topps rookie card #128 is a must-have for collectors. One example in rare graded PSA mint 9 condition sold at Heritage Auction Galleries for ,730.

2. Hank Aaron 1965 Milwaukee Braves Game-Worn Jersey

Henry Aaron and his fellow Braves played their final game at Milwaukee County Stadium on September 22, 1965. The next year the team made the move to Atlanta, where Aaron continued his home run-hitting prowess.

Aaron took one of his 1965 Milwaukee jerseys with him, later presenting it as a gift to ballplayer Bill Madlock in the 1970s. That Wilson-made jersey – sporting Aaron’s famous #44 on both front and back – garnered a top bid of ,750 at Heritage Auction Galleries.

3. Hank Aaron 1968-70 Game-Used Bat

Although slight in build, Hank Aaron wielded a mighty hammer at the plate. One of his game-used “hammers” – a 33 1/2-ounce Adirondack 63A model bat from 1968-70 – fetched ,078.75 at Heritage Auction Galleries.

4. Hank Aaron’s 1954 Rookie Year Baseball Contract

Following a one-year stint with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro American League in 1952, Hank Aaron received big league offers from both the New York Giants and the Boston Braves. Aaron elected to go with the Braves, who moved to Milwaukee in 1953. He later played in the Braves’ minor league system, most notably for the Class-A Jacksonville Tars of the South Atlantic League.

Hank Aaron’s first major league contract – promising the young ballplayer a salary of ,000 per season – was signed by Aaron and Braves general manager John Quinn in 1954. This typewritten, four-page agreement brought ,022 at Mastro Auctions.

5. Hank Aaron/Babe Ruth Signed Ball

Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth (1895-1948) may have been from different eras, but that didn’t prevent the two legends from appearing on the same baseball. An authenticated ball signed by both Aaron and the Bambino sold at Lelands for ,996.

6. Hank Aaron 1971 Topps Gem Mint Baseball Card

Because of the set’s distinctive, easily nicked black borders, cards from the 1971 Topps baseball series are very difficult to find in true mint condition. Only three graded PSA gem mint 10 Hank Aaron #400 cards have achieved such lofty status in the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) registry. One of these cards sold at Robert Edward Auctions for ,700.

7. Hank Aaron/Mickey Mantle 1958 World Series Card

Entry #418 in the 1958 Topps set – 1957 World Series Batting Foes featuring opposing sluggers Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle – is one of the most famous baseball cards of the 1950s. One example in graded PSA near mint-mint 8 condition brought 6.25 at Heritage Auction Galleries.

8. Hank Aaron 1973 Topps Test Issue Comic

Collectors love rare test issues, which were “test marketed” in a limited locale in order to gauge consumer reaction. A 1973 Topps comics test issue Hank Aaron in graded PSA excellent-mint+ 6.5 condition sold for 8 at Heritage Auction Galleries.

9. Hank Aaron 1970 Topps Candy Lid

Back in 1970, kids should have been hoarding these rare baseball player candy lids made by Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. A Hank Aaron example in graded PSA mint 9 condition fetched ,270.50 at Heritage Auction Galleries.

10. Hank Aaron 1958 Hartland Statue

Although not rare, the original 1958 Hank Aaron statue produced by Hartland Plastics is still a marvel to own. Find one still mint in the box with all of its tags and packaging and it could be worth over 0.

Image Source

Heritage Auction Galleries