REA’s June Encore Auction was a spectacle of high-end complete sets and vintage staples that captured the hearts of avid collectors. The top three sellers at this event were the coveted Topps Baseball complete sets from 1963, 1960, and 1961, which commanded impressive prices of $75,000, $66,000, and $54,000 respectively. These sets are hailed as some of the best on the renowned PSA Set Registry, adding to their allure and value.
Set building took center stage, with six complete graded sets making it to the top ten items sold list. Enthusiasts witnessed the sale of complete sets from 1950 Bowman, 1964 Topps, and 1965 Topps Baseball, each fetching an impressive $37,200. The auction, featuring 3,278 lots, garnered over $1.7 million in sales thanks to more than 67,300 bids from eager bidders.
A rare gem in the form of a 1970-1971 Topps Basketball #160 Jerry West PSA GEM MINT 10 card stole the spotlight, fetching $54,000 and setting a new record for the card in any grade. This sale held special significance as it coincided with the recent passing of the basketball legend Jerry West, who inspired the iconic NBA logo.
Among other notable sales were the 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb SGC FAIR 1.5 card, which set a record at $38,400 in that grade, and the 1957 Topps #95 Mickey Mantle PSA NM-MT+ 8.5 card also sold for the same amount. An unopened 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Wax Box, carrying 36 packs from Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s rookie year, fetched $18,600, adding to the allure of the vintage finds.
The auction also saw the sale of iconic cards like the 1921 Exhibits Babe Ruth PSA VG+ 3.5, the 1933 R319 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig PSA EX 5, and the 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays Rookie PSA VG-EX 4, each selling for significant amounts. The event concluded with the promise of even more excitement as REA announced its upcoming Summer Catalog Auction, scheduled to commence on July 23.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his satisfaction with the auction results, noting the strong demand for top-quality graded sets and rare vintage items. He highlighted the consistent popularity of vintage staples and hard-to-find treasures among collectors, indicating an exciting future for the hobby. The eagerly anticipated Summer Catalog Auction is set to unveil a trove of thrilling items that are sure to captivate collectors once again.
Collectors eagerly awaiting the next auction can request a catalog via the official REA website. Additionally, REA will be present at booth #6032 during The National in Cleveland, where a selection of items from the upcoming Summer Auction will be showcased. For more details on REA’s upcoming auctions and to explore compelling consignor stories, enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the REA website and stay tuned for further updates.
