REA’s Record-Breaking May Encore Auction

REA’s May Encore Auction showcased a blend of vintage baseball sets and pre-war gems that left collectors and enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. The event, which wrapped up on a Sunday evening, saw an impressive lineup of items attract over 63,000 bids, resulting in nearly $1.8 million in sales.

Collectors with a passion for classic baseball sets from the 1950s were in for a treat, as these rare compilations took center stage and dominated the sales charts. A near-complete 1958 Topps set, missing just one card, stole the spotlight by fetching a whopping $126,000. This set, ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, exemplifies the meticulous standards collectors uphold for such collections. Following closely was a 1957 Topps complete set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, which sold for $99,000. Additionally, the 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, commanded a price of $72,000.

The auction also saw pre-war rarities make waves, with iconic cards setting new records. A 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card featuring the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, fetched $54,000, setting a new benchmark for its grade and back combination. Another highlight was the sale of a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which achieved $30,000, marking a record price for its VG-EX 4 grade.

Among the other notable sales were rookie cards and vintage memorabilia that garnered significant attention:

– A 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, sold for $52,800.

– The 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card, graded PSA NM-MT 8, achieved $36,000.

– A 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, SGC FAIR 1.5, fetched $29,400.

– Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card, graded PSA EX 5, was purchased for $25,200.

– Both a 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card, PSA VG-EX+ 4.5, and a 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, sold for $24,600 each.

– The 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card, rated PSA NM-MT 8, brought in $24,000.

– An unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards, featuring rookies Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, fetched $17,400.

– A 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth card, graded PSA VG+ 3.5, sold for $15,600.

– The 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, was bought for $14,400.

REA President Brian Dwyer expressed delight in the auction’s success, emphasizing the strong results and the renewed interest in high-grade set building. As preparations kick off for the upcoming June Encore Auction, scheduled to open on June 13, followed by the grand Summer Catalog Auction commencing on July 23, anticipation is building for more exceptional finds. With REA poised to make a significant presence at the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention at Booth #6032, the stage is set for another round of thrilling auctions and valuable discoveries.

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