
Willie Mays, the legendary baseball icon, has once again made history by smashing records in the sports memorabilia world. The 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card recently captured the spotlight at Robert Edward Auctions’ Summer Catalog Auction, selling for an incredible $390,935. This sale has sent shockwaves through the collecting community, solidifying Mays’ status as one of the most sought-after figures in the hobby.
This particular card, deemed the highest-graded example to grace the auction block in over 15 years, attracted fierce competition from eleven bidders. In the end, only one lucky collector walked away with this prized possession, marking a significant moment in the world of sports card collecting. With no PSA 10 Mays rookie cards in existence and just eight in a PSA 9 grade, the rarity and desirability of this card are second to none.
To add some perspective to the magnitude of this sale, a PSA 8 version of the same Mays card commanded a price of $207,400 at a previous auction by Goldin. Clearly, the value and demand for Mays’ rookie cards are soaring higher than a fly ball in deep center field on a scorching summer day.
Aside from setting a new record, the sale of the Willie Mays rookie card is not just about breaking barriers; it is also about making a positive impact. The proceeds from this monumental sale will be used to fund a college scholarship endowment, further enhancing the significance of this transaction. It’s a remarkable win-win situation where history meets philanthropy.
The Summer Catalog Auction at Robert Edward Auctions was a home run event in its own right, amassing a staggering $13.3 million from a whopping 82,000 bids spread across nearly 3,200 lots. Thirteen items crossed the six-figure mark, proving the robust interest in premium sports memorabilia. Among the notable sales was a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie PSA 4.5 card that fetched a record-breaking $162,000, the highest price ever recorded for that grade.
Noteworthy mentions from the auction lineup include an autographed 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella rookie (PSA 3) with a premium PSA 9 signature grade, selling for $132,000, and a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (PSA 7 with a 7 autograph rating) netting $120,000.
In addition, a game-used road jersey worn by Dizzy Dean during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1936-1937 scored a remarkable $114,000, setting a new benchmark for Dizzy Dean memorabilia.
Several other impressive sales contributed to the auction’s success, including:
– 1933 R338 Sport Kings #2 Babe Ruth PSA NM-MT 8 – $120,000
– 1915 Boston Red Sox Real-Photo Team Postcard with Babe Ruth Rookie – $114,000
– 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson Rookie PSA GEM MINT 10 – $111,000
– 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Glove Shows PSA EX+ 5.5 (Broad Leaf 460 Back) – $111,000
– 1979-1980 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie PSA MINT 9 – $105,000
– 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson SGC GOOD+ 2.5 – $102,000 (record for SGC grade)
– 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth PSA NM 7 – $96,000 (record for the card)
– 1984-1985 Star Company Basketball #101 Michael Jordan Rookie BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 – $52,800 (record for Beckett grade)
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, expressed excitement about the auction’s success, highlighting the thrill of setting new price records and the gratitude towards consignors and bidders for their contributions. The momentum continues with the upcoming September Encore Auction from September 12-22, promising more exhilarating bidding action and rare finds for collectors to look forward to.