REA’s May Encore Auction recently captivated collectors and enthusiasts with its record-breaking sales and dazzling array of vintage baseball memorabilia. The event, which culminated on a Sunday night, witnessed a surge in interest in complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s, indicating a strong trend towards high-grade set building in the collectibles market.
The spotlight of the auction was firmly on a 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing only one card, that fetched an impressive $126,000. This set, ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, showcased the exacting standards collectors uphold for such compilations. Following closely was a 1957 Topps complete set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry, also boasting a GPA of 8.00, which achieved a remarkable $99,000. Additionally, the sale of a 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, for $72,000 further underscored the fervent demand for pristine vintage sets.
The auction shone a light on pre-war rarities, setting new records and enthralling bidders. Noteworthy sales included a 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, which fetched $54,000, marking a new record for its grade and back combination. Furthermore, a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card realized $30,000, attaining a record price for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items going under the hammer and accumulating nearly $1.8 million in sales via more than 63,000 bids, the auction was a resounding success. Among the top sellers were iconic pieces such as the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 condition, selling for $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 grade, which fetched $36,000. The auction also saw the sale of a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie in SGC FAIR 1.5 grade, drawing in $29,400.
Noteworthy sales continued with the Mickey Mantle 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card in PSA EX 5 condition, commanding $25,200. Also finding new homes were a 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card in PSA VG-EX+ 4.5 grade and a 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 grade, each selling for $24,600. The auction also featured the sale of a 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 grade for $24,000 and an unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards, showcasing rookies Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, which went for $17,400.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed delight at the auction’s prosperity, emphasizing the strong results and the keen interest in high-grade set building. Dwyer noted, “This is a very positive sign of great things to come in our upcoming events and the industry as a whole.”
Looking forward, REA is gearing up for its June Encore Auction commencing on June 13, followed by the expansive Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. This aligns with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will take center stage at Booth #6032, promising more exciting opportunities for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
