REA’s May Encore Auction showcased a dazzling array of vintage baseball sets and pre-war rarities that captivated collectors and enthusiasts alike. The auction, which culminated on a recent Sunday night, saw a surge in sales driven by the allure of complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s. These sets, renowned for their rarity and exceptional condition, stole the spotlight and dominated the sales chart, reflecting a growing trend in high-grade set building within the collectibles market.
One of the standout sales of the auction was a 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing only one card, which fetched an impressive $126,000. Ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, this set serves as a prime example of the exacting standards collectors uphold for such compilations. Following closely behind was a 1957 Topps complete set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, which commanded $99,000. Additionally, the 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, sold for a notable $72,000.
The auction also witnessed an influx of interest in pre-war rarities, with several items drawing significant attention and setting new records. A highlight was the sale of a 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, which fetched $54,000, establishing a record price for its grade and back combination. Another noteworthy sale was a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which sold for $30,000, setting a new record for its grade of VG-EX 4.
With over 3,600 items going under the hammer, the auction generated nearly $1.8 million in sales from a staggering 63,000 bids. Among the top sellers were coveted items such as the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 condition, which sold for $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 grade, achieving $36,000. Notable sales also included the 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie in SGC FAIR 1.5 grade, which garnered $29,400, and Mickey Mantle’s iconic 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card in PSA EX 5 condition, fetching $25,200.
The auction further featured the sale of 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 condition, each selling for $24,600. Additionally, the 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 grade brought in $24,000, while an unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards, featuring rookies Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, sold for $17,400. Noteworthy sales also included a 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth card in PSA VG+ 3.5 grade, which fetched $15,600, and a 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 condition, selling for $14,400.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his enthusiasm for the auction’s success, citing the robust results and the renewed interest in high-grade set building. Dwyer shared his optimism for future events, remarking, “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 gearing up for its June Encore Auction, set to kick off on June 13, followed by the larger Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. Coinciding with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will have a prominent presence at Booth #6032, these upcoming events promise to continue the momentum set by the record-breaking May Encore Auction.
