
Over the weekend, Heritage Auctions held its Winter Sports Card Auction, and it was an event to remember. One of the highlights of the auction was the sale of a premiere SGC graded 1916 M101-5 blank back Babe Ruth rookie card, which fetched a staggering $630,000. This particular card, rated 5.5 by SGC, is extremely rare, with only seven other examples known within SGC’s records.
The Winter Sports Card Auction was a resounding success, with a total of over $11.1 million in sales. Several items achieved impressive prices, with seven items each surpassing the $100,000 mark, including the buyer’s premium. Notably, a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, graded PSA 10, reached the highest sale price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021.
One of the standout features of the auction was the assortment of vintage, still-sealed boxes. A particular box that garnered attention was the 1965 Topps Baseball wax box, which contained cards from the second, third, and fourth series. This box, originating from the collection of Adolph “Herky” Rupp Jr., a descendant of the renowned Kentucky basketball coach, Adolph Rupp, was authenticated by BBCE and sold for an impressive $336,000. Rupp Jr.’s collection also included a 1953 Topps Willie Mays card, graded PSA 8, which commanded a price of $186,000.
The auction also presented the opportunity to purchase several unopened boxes from a recently discovered collection. These boxes, acquired towards the end of the previous year, created a buzz among collectors. A 1970 Topps Baseball 6th series cello box broke records with a sale price of $105,000, a 1968 Topps Football 1st series 36-pack cello box set a new benchmark at $99,000, and 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, amassed a total of $284,455, with expectations of reaching into the seven-figure range as more items are sold in the coming months.
Additionally, the auction showcased nearly two dozen vintage autographed cards amassed by Mike Greenbaum during their time of origin, generating significant interest. Among them, a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card, graded 1.5 with an autograph grade of 8, stood out and led the pack with a price of $117,000. A similarly graded signed Roy Campanella card from the same set fetched $69,000.
Individual card sales were also impressive, with a T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait, graded PSA 6 and featuring a Piedmont advertising back, selling for $105,000. A 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded PSA 9, reached $80,533, while a 1962 Topps Manager’s Dream card, showcasing both Mantle and Mays, was sold for $75,000.
Complete sets were not left out, with the highest-rated set of 1909-1912 Colgan’s chips discs selling for $54,000. The 16th ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set garnered $93,000, and an all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000, highlighting the auction’s diverse and valuable selections.
The Heritage Auctions’ Winter Sports Card Auction truly made history with its record-breaking sales and the presence of iconic cards like the Babe Ruth rookie and Michael Jordan rookie. Collectors and enthusiasts eagerly participated in the auction, and the results speak volumes about the enduring popularity and value of these unique sports cards.