REA’s May Encore Auction, held on a recent Sunday night, captivated collectors with a dazzling array of vintage baseball cards and pre-war gems that fetched record-breaking prices. Collectors from around the globe flocked to bid on iconic cards, driving the total sales to nearly $1.8 million from over 63,000 bids.
The spotlight of the auction was on classic baseball sets from the 1950s, with high-grade near-complete sets stealing the show. The top sale was a 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing only one card, which sold for an impressive $126,000. Ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, this set exemplifies the meticulous standards that collectors uphold in the realm of set building.
Following closely behind was a complete 1957 Topps set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry, also boasting a GPA of 8.00, which fetched $99,000. The 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, was another standout, selling for $72,000.
The auction also shone a light on pre-war rarities, with notable sales setting new records. The highly anticipated 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, was sold for $54,000, establishing a record price for its grade and back combination. Another significant sale was the 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which achieved $30,000, a record price for its grade of VG-EX 4.
Among the other top sellers were coveted rookie cards, including the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) fetching $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) selling for $36,000. A highlight was the 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie (SGC FAIR 1.5) that garnered $29,400.
Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card (PSA EX 5) went for $25,200, while a 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) and a 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card (PSA VG-EX+ 4.5) each fetched $24,600. The 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) brought in $24,000, and an unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson rookies sold for $17,400.
The REA President, Brian Dwyer, expressed delight at the auction’s success, underscoring the strong results and the renewed interest in high-grade set building within the hobby. Dwyer remarked, “This is a very positive sign of great things to come in our upcoming events and the industry as a whole.”
Looking ahead, REA is preparing for its June Encore Auction, commencing on June 13, followed by the grand Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. Coinciding with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, REA will have a significant presence at Booth #6032, offering collectors a chance to explore and bid on an impressive array of collectibles.
