Rare Ruth, Mantle Cards Lead Mile High Fall Auction

Mile High Fall Auction is loaded with vintage baseball stars

Mile High Card Company’s Fall Auction brings together a deep run of high-end vintage baseball cards, with names spanning Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and George Brett. The auction includes 3,100 lots and runs through Oct. 22.

At the top of the sale is the only 1933 Sport Kings Gum #2 Babe Ruth card graded SGC 9, a centerpiece that gives the auction immediate star power. The offering also includes several other important vintage cards that will draw attention from collectors focused on Hall of Fame icons and condition-sensitive rarities.

Key vintage baseball cards in the sale

Among the featured cards are a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays graded SGC 8 with a MBA Silver Diamond, a 1961 Topps All Star #578 Mickey Mantle graded PSA 10, and a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle graded MBA 2.5 GOOD+. The auction also includes a 1975 Topps Mini #228 George Brett graded MBA 10, a 1933 Goudey #149 Babe Ruth graded PSA 5.5, a 1954 Bowman #89 Willie Mays graded PSA 9, a 1909 E92 Croft's Candy Ty Cobb graded PSA 1.5 FAIR, and a 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson graded MBA 4.

The mix of cards reflects the broad appeal of the auction, with key issues from the prewar, postwar and modern eras represented. Collectors will find both high-grade examples and historically significant cards that remain desirable regardless of technical grade.

Rare Mickey Mantle collectibles add another layer

The auction also features a pair of unusual Mickey Mantle collectibles. One is a rare 1958 Mantle Haggar Slacks card/pamphlet with the original string hang tag, which Mile High says may be the only known example. Another Mantle item is a 1960s Mickey Mantle best wishes card.

These pieces broaden the Mantle focus beyond standard trading cards and highlight the type of crossover collectibles that can surface in major vintage auctions. For Mantle collectors, the combination of classic cards and scarce promotional items gives the sale added depth.

Top non-baseball cards include football, hockey and more

While baseball leads the way, the auction also includes notable non-baseball cards. Featured items include a 1957 Topps #119 Bart Starr graded MBA 9, a 2000 Playoff Contenders #144 Tom Brady AU graded Beckett 8.5 with a 10 autograph grade, a 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky graded MBA 8, and an autographed 1976 Topps #148 Walter Payton graded PSA/DNA 6 with an Auto 9.

The presence of Brady, Gretzky and Payton gives the auction broader appeal across football and hockey collectors, while the autograph grades add another layer of interest for buyers looking for signed material from major stars.

Two elite complete and near complete sets headline the registry side

Beyond individual cards, the auction includes several complete and near complete sets, led by two of the strongest collections ever assembled in their respective categories. One is a 1909-11 T206 Polar Bear Back near complete set, which ranks No. 1 on the PSA Set Registry with a 5.643 GPA. The other is a 1962 Topps Football collection ranked No. 1 on the All-Time PSA Set Registry with a 9.36 GPA.

Those registry rankings underscore how much attention the set portion of the auction is likely to draw. High-end set collectors often focus on consistency, eye appeal and completeness, and both of these collections sit near the top of the hobby in those categories.

T206 Polar Bear Back set offered as a whole and in individual lots

The 1909-11 T206 Polar Bear Back collection is being offered in its entirety as well as in individual lots. That gives bidders two different ways to pursue the material, whether they want a complete run or specific key cards.

Among the highlights are the rare Ray Demmitt card graded PSA 6 and the Bill O’Hara card graded PSA 4. Other key cards in the set, all with Polar Bear backs, include Ty Cobb Portrait-Red graded PSA 5, Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder graded PSA 5, Walter Johnson Hands At Chest graded PSA 6, Christy Mathewson Dark Cap graded PSA 5, Tris Speaker graded PSA 5, Cy Young Clev. Glove Shows graded PSA 6, and Home Run Baker graded PSA 7.

Polar Bear backs are a major draw within the T206 issue, and the combination of strong condition, notable subjects and registry pedigree makes this one of the auction’s most important offerings.

1962 Topps Football collection features Hall of Fame talent

The 1962 Topps Football collection includes a strong lineup of high-grade cards from some of the era’s biggest names. The highlighted cards are Johnny Unitas graded PSA 8.5, Lenny Moore graded PSA 9, Mike Ditka graded PSA 8, Jim Brown graded PSA 8, Ernie Davis graded PSA 8.5, Bart Starr graded PSA 9, Paul Hornung graded PSA 9, and Fran Tarkenton graded PSA 9.

With a No. 1 All-Time PSA Set Registry ranking and a 9.36 GPA, the collection stands out as one of the auction’s premier football offerings. The combination of star power and condition makes it a notable target for advanced set builders.

Brian Drent says the auction was worth the extra work

Mile High Card Company President and CEO Brian Drent said the team spent extra hours preparing the auction, but expects bidders to be impressed by the results.

“We had to put in a lot of extra hours to get this auction set, but we’re ready to go. Our bidders will be very impressed with the opportunities offered in this auction,” Drent said.

The sale’s mix of rare singles, elite sets and unusual Mantle items gives it a wide range of entry points for collectors. From prewar baseball to modern autograph cards, the auction covers multiple eras and collecting interests while keeping the focus on high-end material.

What collectors will find across the sale

The Fall Auction’s strength comes from the way it combines trophy cards with complete sets and specialty pieces. The Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle cards headline the individual lots, but the registry-ranked T206 Polar Bear Back and 1962 Topps Football collections may be just as significant for advanced collectors.

With 3,100 lots available through Oct. 22, the auction offers a broad snapshot of the vintage and modern card market. Collectors can review more details and additional lots at milehighcardco.com.