Over the recent weekend, Heritage Auctions' Winter Sports Card Auction made history with its remarkable sales. The auction featured a plethora of rare and valuable vintage sports cards and collectibles, ultimately amassing an astonishing $11.1 million in total sales.
One of the standout items was a premier SGC graded 1916 M101-5 blank back Babe Ruth rookie card, which reached an astounding sale price of $630,000. This rare card, rated 5.5 by SGC, is one of only seven other known examples within SGC's records.
Another noteworthy sale was a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, immaculately graded PSA 10. It achieved the highest sale price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021, solidifying its status as a highly sought-after collectible.
The auction also featured an impressive collection of vintage, still-sealed boxes. Among them was 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., the descendant of famed Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp, sold for an impressive $336,000 following 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, further demonstrating the enduring value of vintage sports cards.
Adding to the excitement, several unopened boxes from a previously undiscovered collection were sold. 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 acquired for $18,600. These initial offerings from the collection, connected to a former Topps employee, garnered a total of $284,455, with expectations of reaching even higher amounts as more items are sold in the future.
The auction also featured an array of vintage autographed cards, amassed by Mike Greenbaum during their time of origin, which garnered significant interest. One standout was a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card, graded 1.5 with an autograph grade of 8, selling for an impressive $117,000. A similarly graded signed Roy Campanella card from the same set fetched $69,000.
In terms of individual card sales, a T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait, graded PSA 6 and featuring a Piedmont advertising back, fetched $105,000. A 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded PSA 9, reached an impressive $80,533, while 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 appeal of these collectibles. The 16th-ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set garnered $93,000, demonstrating the interest in vintage basketball cards. An all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000, highlighting the auction's diverse and valuable selections.
Overall, the Heritage Auctions' Winter Sports Card Auction achieved remarkable sales, attracting passionate collectors and enthusiasts. The auction's standout items, including the Babe Ruth rookie card and the Michael Jordan rookie card, showcased the enduring appeal and value of rare vintage sports cards. As the market continues to thrive, collectors eagerly await future auctions and the opportunity to acquire these highly sought-after pieces of sports history.
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