The Winter Sports Card Auction at Heritage Auctions was a momentous event, with record-breaking sales and impressive offerings. The highlight of the auction was the sale of a premiere SGC graded 1916 M101-5 blank back Babe Ruth rookie card, which fetched a stunning price of $630,000. This rare card, rated 5.5 by SGC, is one of only seven known examples within SGC's records. The auction as a whole achieved astounding success, accumulating over $11.1 million in total sales.
Among the remarkable items sold, seven pieces each exceeded $100,000, including the buyer's premium. One of the most notable sales was a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, graded PSA 10, which achieved the highest sale price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021.
The auction also featured vintage, still-sealed boxes that caught the attention of collectors. A highlight was the sale of a 1965 Topps Baseball wax box, containing cards from the second, third, and fourth series. This particular box, originating from the collection of Adolph “Herky” Rupp Jr., descendant of the renowned Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp, was auctioned for an impressive $336,000 after authentication by BBCE. Rupp Jr.'s collection also included a 1953 Topps Willie Mays card, graded PSA 8, which commanded a price of $186,000.
Furthermore, the auction introduced several unopened boxes from a recently discovered collection acquired in late 2021. Notably, a 1970 Topps Baseball 6th series cello box set a new record with a sale of $105,000. A 1968 Topps Football 1st series 36-pack cello box fetched an impressive $99,000, while a 1973 Topps Baseball 3rd series 500-count vending box was sold for $18,600. The initial offerings from this collection, associated with a former Topps employee, garnered $284,455, with expectations of reaching seven figures as more items are sold in the upcoming months.
The auction also showcased nearly two dozen vintage autographed cards, carefully accumulated by Mike Greenbaum during their time of origin. Among them, a standout piece was a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card, graded 1.5 with an autograph grade of 8, which led the pack at an impressive $117,000. Another notable sale was a similarly graded signed Roy Campanella card from the same set, selling for $69,000.
Individual card sales were also notable, with a T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait, graded PSA 6 and featuring a Piedmont advertising back, fetching $105,000. A 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded PSA 9, reached an impressive price of $80,533. Additionally, a 1962 Topps Manager's Dream card, showcasing both Mantle and Mays, sold for $75,000.
Complete sets were also on offer during the auction. The highest-rated set of 1909-1912 Colgan’s chips discs sold for $54,000, showcasing the enduring interest in vintage collectibles. The 16th ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set achieved a remarkable $93,000, while an all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000, highlighting the auction's diverse and valuable selections.
The Winter Sports Card Auction at Heritage Auctions was a resounding success, with the sale of the Babe Ruth rookie card and the Michael Jordan rookie card standing out as exceptional achievements. The variety and quality of offerings, from vintage cards to unopened boxes and complete sets, made this auction a truly remarkable event in the world of sports card collecting.
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