REA’s May Encore Auction, held on a recent Sunday night, captured the attention of collectors with its array of vintage treasures and record-breaking sales. The event witnessed a surge in activity surrounding classic baseball sets from the 1950s, emphasizing the popularity of high-grade set building in the collectibles market.
One of the auction’s most notable sales was a near-complete 1958 Topps set, missing only one card, which fetched an impressive $126,000. Ranked at #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, this set exemplifies the meticulous standards collectors uphold for such comprehensive collections. Following closely behind was a complete 1957 Topps set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, selling for $99,000. Additionally, the 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, was acquired for $72,000.
The auction also shone a spotlight on pre-war rarities, garnering substantial interest and setting new records. A 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, sold for $54,000, establishing a record price for its grade and back combination. Another standout item was a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which fetched $30,000, a record amount for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items up for auction, the event generated nearly $1.8 million in sales, with more than 63,000 bids placed. Some of the other top-selling items included the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) at $52,800, the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) at $36,000, and a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie (SGC FAIR 1.5) at $29,400. Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card (PSA EX 5) was sold for $25,200, while a 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) fetched $24,000.
Notable mentions also include 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), each selling for $24,600. Furthermore, an unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards, showcasing rookie cards of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, was purchased for $17,400. A 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth card (PSA VG+ 3.5) garnered $15,600, while a 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie card (PSA NM-MT 8) was acquired for $14,400.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed enthusiasm over the auction’s success, highlighting the strong results and the renewed interest in high-grade set building among collectors. Dwyer remarked, “This is a very positive sign of great things to come in our upcoming events and the industry as a whole.”
Looking ahead, REA is preparing for its June Encore Auction, set to commence on June 13, followed by the larger Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. Coinciding with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will have a prominent presence at Booth #6032, these upcoming events promise to continue the momentum of excitement and exceptional finds in the world of collectibles.
