Rare Brooks Robinson card sets record at Huggins & Scott

Brooks Robinson Card Sets New Record

A rare 1961 Topps Dice Game Brooks Robinson card has set a new record on the sports card market after selling for $72,000 in Huggins & Scott’s Summer Auction. The card, graded SGC EX/NM 6, is the highest graded example of the issue and now stands as the record sale for the card.

Robinson, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in MLB history, built a Hall of Fame career at third base and is best known for his record 16 consecutive Gold Gloves. The auction result adds another milestone to his long legacy, this time in the hobby.

Vintage Baseball Cards Lead the Way

The Robinson sale was one of three record-setting results in the auction. A newly discovered 1921 Tip Top Bread Baltimore Orioles Lefty Grove Pre-Rookie card, graded SGC FAIR 1.5, sold for $58,800. That result established a new all-time high for the card.

Another record came from a 1969 Topps #321 Jim McAndrew card, which brought $39,600 in PSA 10. Huggins & Scott said it is the only example graded at that level, and the sale set a new benchmark for the card.

Those top results helped anchor an auction that featured strong demand for vintage baseball cards, especially scarce and high-grade examples.

Memorabilia Highlights Include Ruth Baseball and Lakers Ring

Beyond cards, the auction also produced notable memorabilia results. A Babe Ruth single-signed American Association baseball led the memorabilia offerings at $27,600.

Another standout was a 2009 Los Angeles Lakers NBA Championship 15K gold ring presented to Assistant GM Ronnie Lester, which sold for $20,400.

These results added to a sale that drew interest from collectors across multiple categories, from pre-war baseball to modern championship memorabilia.

Related coverage includes Rare 1961 Brooks Robinson Topps Dice Game Card Sets New Auction Record at $72,000.

Strong Results Across Vintage and Modern Cards

Huggins & Scott reported a broad range of strong prices throughout the auction. Ron Oser, vice president and director of consignments, said the event reflected continued strength in vintage cards as well as healthy demand across the hobby.

The auction included several notable baseball and basketball cards, along with inserts, wax, and larger collections that found active bidding.

Notable card sales included:

• 1967 Topps #581 Tom Seaver Rookie (PSA 9): $31,200
• 1982 Topps Complete Wax Case (20 boxes/36 packs per box): $20,400
• 1991 Fleer Pro-Visions Insert complete set (300): $19,200
• 1984-1985 Star Basketball #288 Michael Jordan 1985 Rookie-of-the-Year (BGS 7): $18,600
• 1986-1987 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan Rookie (PSA 8): $18,600
• 2001 Bowman Chrome #340 Albert Pujols Autograph Rookie Refractor #/500 (SGC 8): $15,600
• 1935 Goudey 4-In-1 Uncut 6-Card Panel with 11 Hall of Famers, including Babe Ruth (SGC Authentic): $15,000
• 1961-1962 Fleer Basketball #8 Wilt Chamberlain Rookie (PSA 5): $15,000
• 1990s Baseball insert and parallel collection (4,000+) loaded with Hall of Famers and stars: $13,800
• 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Green Portrait (PSA 3): $13,200

Brooks Robinson Remains a Hobby Favorite

Robinson cards have long held appeal with collectors, especially when they surface in scarce vintage formats. The 1961 Topps Dice Game issue is one of the more unusual early Robinson cards, and the record price reflects both its rarity and the strength of demand for high-end Hall of Fame material.

The card’s SGC EX/NM 6 grade made it the finest known example of the issue, a key factor in the final price. In a market where condition and scarcity often drive major premiums, a highest-graded example can become the centerpiece of an auction.

That was the case here, as the Robinson card led a sale that also featured newly discovered pre-war material, iconic rookie cards, and significant memorabilia pieces. The combination of record-setting vintage cards and strong supporting results underscored the depth of collector interest across eras.

Huggins & Scott Auction Draws Wide Collector Interest

The Summer Auction offered a snapshot of several collecting lanes that continue to perform well, including Hall of Fame baseball cards, early regional issues, basketball rookies, and complete insert and wax lots. The results showed that collectors remain active not only on the biggest names, but also on rare cards with strong provenance, condition, or population status.

For vintage baseball collectors, the top end of the sale included Robinson, Grove, Seaver, and Cobb. Basketball collectors had major results with Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. Modern baseball and insert collectors also had notable opportunities, with the Pujols autograph refractor and the large 1990s insert and parallel collection among the stronger lots.

With three card records and a strong memorabilia showing, the auction delivered a broad set of results that reflected continued demand across the hobby.