In a historic sale at Heritage Auctions' Winter Sports Card Auction, collectors and enthusiasts witnessed the remarkable sale of a premiere SGC graded 1916 M101-5 blank back Babe Ruth rookie card, which reached an astounding price of $630,000. This highly sought-after card, graded 5.5 by SGC, is a rarity, with only seven other examples known within SGC's records. The auction itself was a monumental event, amassing over $11.1 million in total sales. Among the treasures sold, seven items each fetched upwards of $100,000, including the buyer's premium. One of the notable highlights was the sale of a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, impeccably graded PSA 10, which achieved the highest sale price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021.
The Winter Sports Card Auction showcased an impressive array of vintage, still-sealed boxes, capturing the attention of collectors. One notable item was a 1965 Topps Baseball wax box containing cards from the second, third, and fourth series. Originating from the collection of Adolph “Herky” Rupp Jr., the box fetched an impressive $336,000 after authentication by BBCE. Rupp Jr. was the descendant of the renowned Kentucky basketball coach, Adolph Rupp. His collection also included a 1953 Topps Willie Mays card, graded PSA 8, which commanded a price of $186,000.
Moreover, the auction featured several unopened boxes that had recently come to light, acquired towards the end of the previous year. These boxes drew significant interest and achieved groundbreaking prices. A 1970 Topps Baseball 6th series cello box broke records with a sale of $105,000, a 1968 Topps Football 1st series 36-pack cello box set a new benchmark at $99,000, and a 1973 Topps Baseball 3rd series 500-count vending box was sold for $18,600. The initial offerings from this collection, tied to a former Topps employee, secured a total of $284,455. Expectations are high that more items from the collection will reach into seven figures in the coming months.
The auction also highlighted the sale of nearly two dozen vintage autographed cards, which were amassed by Mike Greenbaum during their time of origin. One standout was a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card, graded 1.5 with an autograph grade of 8, which led the pack at an impressive $117,000. Another notable sale was a similarly graded signed Roy Campanella card from the same set, which fetched $69,000.
Individual card sales were also notable at the auction. A T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait, graded PSA 6, and featuring a Piedmont advertising back, sold for an impressive $105,000. A 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded PSA 9, reached $80,533, while a 1962 Topps Manager's Dream card, showcasing both Mantle and Mays, sold for $75,000.
Complete sets were not to be overlooked, as they also garnered substantial interest from collectors. The highest-rated set of 1909-1912 Colgan's chips discs sold for an impressive $54,000. The 16th ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set fetched $93,000, highlighting the demand for vintage basketball cards. Additionally, an all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000, showcasing the auction's diverse and valuable selections.
The Winter Sports Card Auction at Heritage Auctions showcased an exceptional lineup of rare and valuable sports cards and memorabilia. With record-breaking sales, highlighted by the prestigious Babe Ruth rookie card and the iconic Michael Jordan rookie card, this event proved to be a testament to the enduring allure of sports collectibles and the passion of avid collectors.
Source
Comments