The collectibles market, especially in the realm of vintage sports cards, continued to demonstrate its resilience and strength in 2023, as evidenced by the impressive results of the Winter Auction held by Mile High Card Company. The auction was a testament to the enduring appeal of vintage cards, with several high-grade and coveted items fetching remarkable prices.
A centerpiece of the auction was the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card, graded PSA 8, which sold for a staggering $378,997. This sale not only highlights the iconic status of Mickey Mantle in the annals of baseball but also underscores the unwavering interest in vintage sports cards among collectors.
The auction featured other significant sales that drew considerable attention. A notable example was the 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Joe Jackson card, boasting a blank back and a PSA 7 grading, which realized $104,302. This figure significantly exceeded its previous record of $25,000, showcasing the growing market value of rare vintage cards. Additionally, a 1934 Goudey #61 Lou Gehrig card, also graded PSA 8, fetched $101,623, while a 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle card, with the same PSA grading, went for $89,635. Furthermore, a 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente card, graded PSA 8, brought in $72,084.
The auction wasn't solely focused on individual stars; it also set new benchmarks for cards of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. A 1964 Topps #342 Willie Stargell card, graded PSA 10, sold for $30,674, shattering its previous record. Other Stargell cards from 1966 and 1973 Topps also fetched record prices.
Record-setting trends continued with various other vintage cards. For instance, a 1962 Topps #45 Brooks Robinson card (PSA 9) sold for $30,391, and a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card (PSA 3 VG) garnered $11,732. A 1969 Topps #100 Hank Aaron card (PSA 9) went for $10,665, while a 1972 Topps #229 World Series Game 7 card, graded PSA 10, fetched $12,388.
Notable among classic vintage cards was a 1941 Playball #71 Joe DiMaggio card, graded SGC 8.5, which attracted a high bid of $79,531. Other classic cards, like the 1910-11 Sporting Life M116 Hans Wagner card and a 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, also drew significant attention and high sales.
The auction also excelled in the memorabilia category. A Babe Ruth-signed OAL (Harridge) baseball topped the memorabilia sales, selling for $40,486. Other top memorabilia items included a 1972 California Angels Nolan Ryan signed game-used home jersey, which fetched $56,518, and a circa 1934 Paul & Dizzy Dean “Beech-Nut Tobacco” oversized die-cut advertising sign, which brought in $11,403.
Additionally, memorabilia like Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson’s game-used jerseys from their Cy Young and playing seasons, respectively, each sold for over $13,000. A 1980 Rickey Henderson game-used Oakland A's alternate jersey was purchased for $24,639, and a 1998 Ken Griffey Jr. game-used autographed bat, used for his 33rd home run of the 1998 season, went for $17,328. A unique item, a 1962 Post Alpha-Bits unopened box featuring Sandy Koufax, was sold for $11,028.
In summary, the Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company not only highlighted the unflagging interest in vintage sports cards but also served as a showcase for the remarkable history and nostalgia that these cards and memorabilia represent. The auction results affirmed the robust market for collectibles, especially those associated with baseball legends, and illustrated the deep connection between collectors and the sport’s storied past.
via Sell Your Sports Cards