Vintage sports cards have once again proven their enduring allure and captivated collectors in 2023, as Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction showcased record-breaking sales. The highlight of the auction was the sale of a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card, graded PSA 8, which commanded an impressive price of $378,997. This card not only symbolizes the legendary status of Mickey Mantle in baseball history but also underscores the lasting significance of vintage sports cards in the collectors’ market.
The auction featured other notable sales as well. A 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Joe Jackson card with a blank back, graded PSA 7, sold for an astonishing $104,302, a significant leap from its previous record of $25,000. Similarly, a 1934 Goudey #61 Lou Gehrig card, graded PSA 8, fetched $101,623, solidifying its status as a highly sought-after collectible. A 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle card, also graded PSA 8, went for $89,635, while a 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente card, graded PSA 8, achieved a sale price of $72,084.
The Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company wasn’t just about individual legends; it also saw record-setting prices for cards of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. Among these, a 1964 Topps #342 Willie Stargell card, graded PSA 10, was sold for a staggering $30,674, significantly surpassing its previous record of $4,154. Other Stargell cards, such as those from 1966 and 1973 Topps, also achieved record prices.
But the auction’s success wasn’t limited to baseball cards. A 1941 Playball #71 Joe DiMaggio card, graded SGC 8.5, attracted a high bid of $79,531, reflecting the deep nostalgia and respect for the era’s baseball heroes. Classic cards like a 1910-11 Sporting Life M116 Hans Wagner card and a 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card also drew significant attention, with sales reaching $77,770 and $45,776, respectively.
The auction also featured remarkable memorabilia items. A Babe Ruth-signed OAL (Harridge) baseball topped the memorabilia sales, going for $40,486. A 1972 California Angels Nolan Ryan signed game-used home jersey sold for $56,518, while a circa 1934 Paul & Dizzy Dean “Beech-Nut Tobacco” oversized die-cut advertising sign fetched $11,403.
Jerseys from baseball legends Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson were also highlights of the auction, with each fetching over $13,000. Notable among the memorabilia was a 1980 Rickey Henderson game-used Oakland A’s alternate jersey sold for $24,639, and a 1998 Ken Griffey Jr. game-used autographed bat, used for his 33rd home run of the 1998 Season, which went for $17,328. A unique item in the auction was a 1962 Post Alpha-Bits unopened box featuring Sandy Koufax, which attracted a bid of $11,028.
The success of Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction not only demonstrates the continuing strength and appeal of vintage sports cards but also highlights the rich history and nostalgia these cards and memorabilia evoke. The remarkable prices fetched by items associated with legends like Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Lou Gehrig, and Willie Stargell, among others, signify the deep connection and reverence fans and collectors have for the golden era of sports. As the auction results show, vintage sports cards and memorabilia remain a vital and vibrant part of the collectibles market, continuing to attract interest and investment from enthusiasts around the world.
