Mantle and Jordan cards set records in REA September auction

Mantle and Jordan lead REA September Auction

REA’s September Auction delivered headline results for some of the most recognizable names in the hobby, with classic Mickey Mantle and Michael Jordan cards both setting records. The sale featured strong bidding across vintage baseball, basketball, and complete sets, underscoring continued demand for high-end cards and collectibles.

Among the biggest results, a 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135 Gray Back graded PSA NM-MT+ 8.5 and a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 graded PSA FAIR 1.5 each sold for $76,875. The 1956 card established a record for the grade, topping the previous mark by more than $20,000.

On the basketball side, a 1985 Star Company Basketball “Gatorade Slam Dunk” #7 Michael Jordan card graded PSA 8 reached $70,725, setting an all-time high for the card.

Vintage baseball stars draw strong prices

The auction also produced notable results for several Hall of Fame names and key vintage issues. A 1962 Topps #300 Willie Mays graded PSA 8.5 sold for $64,575, while an E92 Croft’s Candy Ty Cobb graded PSA VG 3 brought $56,580.

A 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie graded SGC VG 3 sold for $34,440, adding another strong Mantle result to the event. Other top vintage sales included a 1920-21 W514 #15 Joe Jackson graded PSA GOOD 2 for $23,370, which set a record for the grade, and a 1921 E121 American Caramel (Series of 80) “Babe” Ruth graded SGC Authentic for $22,755, also a record for the grade.

REA also reported a 1956 Topps #135 Mickey Mantle Gray Back graded PSA 7 with an MBA Silver Diamond designation selling for $21,525, another record for the grade. A 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie graded PSA 6 reached $20,295, also setting a grade record. A 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle graded PSA 5 sold for $19,065.

Additional notable vintage results included a 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #7 Eddie Collins graded PSA 4 at $20,910, which set a record for the grade, and a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ed Reulbach No Glove Showing graded PSA 5 with a Broad Leaf 460 back and noted as 1/1, which sold for $18,450 and set a record for the card.

Jordan cards continue to command attention

Michael Jordan cards were a major part of the auction’s strongest basketball results. Along with the record-setting 1985 Star Company Basketball “Gatorade Slam Dunk” #7, a 1986-87 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan Rookie graded PSA 8 sold for $20,910.

REA also listed a 1985-1986 Star Company Basketball “Last 11 R.O.Y.” #1 Michael Jordan graded PSA NM-MT 8 at $18,450. The results show that Jordan’s earliest cards and pre-rookie era Star Company issues remain among the most closely watched basketball cards in the hobby.

Complete sets post strong totals

Beyond single-card highlights, REA’s auction featured several complete sets that drew significant interest. A 1971-72 Topps Basketball complete set graded PSA 9 and NM-MT 8 sold for $61,500.

High-grade Fleer basketball sets also performed well. A PSA-graded complete set of 1988-89 Fleer Basketball sold for $49,200 and included 122 PSA 10s. A PSA-graded complete set of 1987-88 Fleer Basketball sold for $35,670 and featured the complete 11-card sticker set along with 65 PSA 10s.

A 1959-60 Topps Hockey PSA-graded complete set also reached $33,210, adding to the range of strong set sales across multiple sports.

REA notes broad demand across the hobby

REA President Brian Dwyer said the auction showed strength across the board and pointed to continued demand for a wide range of cards and collectibles throughout the hobby.

The event’s results reflected that breadth. From record-setting vintage baseball cards to high-grade basketball sets and modern redemption cards, the auction produced strong prices in multiple segments. That included a 2026 Topps Tribute #CTSDA-OD Calling the Shot Shohei Ohtani and Joe Davis Autograph Black #1/1 unused Redemption card, which sold for $22,755.

Other notable sales included a 1986-87 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan Rookie, a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron Rookie, and several record-setting vintage cards from the prewar and postwar eras. The mix of results showed continued collector interest in both iconic singles and carefully built sets, with condition, rarity, and player significance all playing major roles in the final prices.

For collectors tracking the upper end of the market, REA’s September Auction offered another clear reminder that classic Mantle, Jordan, Ruth, Cobb, Mays, Aaron, and other landmark cards remain central to hobby demand when they surface in strong grades or important variations.