REA’s May Encore Auction showcased a dazzling array of rare vintage treasures, drawing collectors and enthusiasts alike to participate in the exciting event. The auction, which recently wrapped up on a Sunday night, witnessed a surge in set building activities, with a particular focus on complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s. These sets, celebrated for their scarcity and impeccable condition, commanded the spotlight and dominated the sales charts, underscoring a prevailing trend in high-grade set building within the vibrant collectibles market.
One of the standout sales at the auction was a nearly complete 1958 Topps set, missing just a single card, that fetched an impressive $126,000. This set, holding the 13th spot on the PSA Set Registry with an impressive GPA of 8.00, symbolizes the exacting standards that collectors uphold for such collections. Following closely behind was a complete 1957 Topps set, ranked 24th on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, which raked in $99,000. Additionally, the highly coveted 1959 Topps complete set, securing the 29th spot on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, sold for $72,000.
In addition to the 1950s sets, the auction highlighted pre-war rarities that captivated bidders and established new records. Of note was the sale of a 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card featuring the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, which garnered $54,000, setting a new benchmark for its grade and back combination. Another remarkable sale was a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, fetching $30,000, a record price for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items going under the hammer, the auction amassed nearly $1.8 million in sales through a staggering 63,000 bids. Some of the other top-selling items included the Roberto Clemente Rookie card from 1955 Topps, graded PSA NM-MT 8, which sold for $52,800; the Hank Aaron Rookie card from 1954 Topps, graded PSA NM-MT 8, achieving $36,000; and a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard showcasing a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, graded SGC FAIR 1.5, fetching $29,400.
Noteworthy sales also included Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman Rookie card, graded PSA EX 5, going for $25,200; a 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card, graded PSA VG-EX+ 4.5, and a 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card, graded PSA NM-MT 8, each selling for $24,600. Furthermore, an unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson rookies was purchased for $17,400, and a 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth card, graded PSA VG+ 3.5, fetched $15,600. Rounding out the top sellers were a 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie card, graded PSA NM-MT 8, which was acquired for $14,400, and a 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card, graded PSA NM-MT 8, which brought in $24,000.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his delight at the auction’s success, emphasizing the robust outcomes and the resurgence of interest in high-grade set building activities. Dwyer remarked optimistically, “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 preparing for its upcoming June Encore Auction, scheduled to kick off on June 13, followed by the larger Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. The latter coincides with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will take center stage at Booth #6032, promising more thrilling opportunities for collectors to acquire rare and valuable memorabilia.
