1915 Cracker Jack stars headline REA June Auction
Three of the most iconic names in prewar baseball card collecting led the way in REA's June Auction, where 1915 E145 Cracker Jack cards of Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson and Honus Wagner each established new public market benchmarks in their respective grades.
The trio, long among the most sought-after subjects in the landmark Cracker Jack issue, drew strong attention from collectors and helped drive a run of notable results across vintage baseball and basketball cards. REA said the auction reflected broad strength across the hobby, with several cards reaching record levels.
Ty Cobb Cracker Jack card reaches $41,820
The top result among the Cracker Jack cards came from a 1915 E145 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb card graded SGC VG 3, which sold for $41,820. According to REA, the sale marked the highest public sale of the card in the SGC grade in nearly four years.
Cobb remains one of the most recognizable figures in the hobby, and his appearance in the 1915 Cracker Jack set continues to command premium interest from collectors who focus on early tobacco and caramel-era issues. The strong result underscores how desirable high-profile Hall of Fame subjects remain when paired with one of the era's most iconic sets.
Walter Johnson and Honus Wagner cards also set marks
Two additional 1915 E145 Cracker Jack cards also reached record territory in the auction. A Walter Johnson card graded SGC VG/EX 4 sold for $30,750, while a Honus Wagner card graded SGC VG 3 also sold for $30,750.
REA said both sales set records for the cards in their respective grades. Johnson and Wagner are two of the most celebrated names from the prewar era, and their Cracker Jack cards remain among the most desirable pieces in vintage baseball collecting.
The shared result for the Johnson and Wagner cards added to the auction's momentum and reinforced the continued strength of high-grade and well-preserved examples from the 1915 set.
Additional record sales across vintage baseball and basketball
Other cards also reached new highs in the auction, including a 1948-49 Leaf #32 Warren Spahn Rookie graded PSA 8 with MBA Gold Diamond designation, which sold for $28,290. REA said that was a record for the card in that grade.
A 1984-85 Star Company Basketball #237 Hakeem Olajuwon graded PSA NM-MT 8 sold for $19,680, also setting a record for the card. Another record result came from a 1962 Topps #10 Roberto Clemente graded PSA 8.5, which sold for $14,145.
Those results showed that collector demand extended well beyond the headline prewar baseball cards, with key rookie and star cards from other eras also performing strongly.
Notable vintage baseball results
Several other important cards and collectibles posted notable prices in the auction, including a 1955 Topps #47 Hank Aaron graded PSA 8, which sold for $19,065.
A 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Portrait Red Background graded PSA 4 brought $15,375, while a Circa 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson Bat Follow, White Sleeves graded PSA 4 with MK sold for $13,530.
Another Jackie Robinson card, the 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie graded SGC GOOD 2, sold for $11,378. A 1909-1913 M101-2 Sporting News Supplement Joe Jackson graded PSA POOR 1 realized $9,225.
Among the more unusual items in the auction was a rare 1929 R316 Kashin Publication Premium 5x7 Photo Babe Ruth graded PSA 4, which sold for $8,918.
REA says hobby demand remains strong
REA President Brian Dwyer said the auction offered another sign of a healthy market, pointing to the number of new records set during the event.
“This was another fantastic event that was headlined by several new records, showcasing the incredibly strong and steady appetite across the hobby,” Dwyer said. “As we gear up for The National in just over a month, it’s very exciting to see what a healthy place the hobby is in right now.”
The results come at a time when high-end vintage cards continue to attract strong bidding, particularly for Hall of Fame names and iconic issues with long-standing collector appeal. The June Auction's record-setting Cracker Jack sales added another chapter to the ongoing demand for prewar baseball cards, especially examples tied to Cobb, Johnson and Wagner.
For collectors tracking the market, the auction also offered a useful snapshot of where interest remains concentrated: legendary players, classic rookie cards and scarce vintage issues with strong eye appeal and respected third-party grades.
The combination of record prices and notable sales across multiple eras made REA's June Auction a broad showcase for the hobby, with the 1915 Cracker Jack cards of Cobb, Johnson and Wagner standing out as the event's signature results.
Comments
0You must be signed in to comment.
Sign In