Over the weekend, a historic sale took place at Heritage Auctions' Winter Sports Card Auction, drawing attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike. The star of the auction was the premiere SGC graded 1916 M101-5 blank back Babe Ruth rookie card, which fetched a staggering sale price of $630,000. With a rare rating of 5.5 by SGC, this card is one of only seven known examples within the SGC's records. The auction itself was a monumental event, tallying over $11.1 million in total sales, including the buyer's premium. Seven items reached prices exceeding $100,000, further solidifying the magnitude of the auction.
One of the highlights of the auction was a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, graded PSA 10 in immaculate condition. This card achieved the highest sale price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021, adding to its desirability among collectors.
The auction featured an impressive lineup of vintage, still-sealed boxes, with one standout being a 1965 Topps Baseball wax box housing cards from the second, third, and fourth series. Originating from the collection of Adolph "Herky" Rupp Jr., whose lineage traces back to the renowned Kentucky basketball coach, Adolph Rupp, this box was authenticated by BBCE and eventually sold for an impressive $336,000. Rupp Jr.'s collection also included a 1953 Topps Willie Mays card, graded PSA 8, which commanded a price of $186,000.
In addition to Rupp Jr.'s collection, the auction featured several unopened boxes from a recently discovered collection acquired towards the end of the previous year. Among these treasures, a 1970 Topps Baseball 6th series cello box set a new record with a sale of $105,000. A 1968 Topps Football 1st series 36-pack cello box reached an impressive $99,000, while a 1973 Topps Baseball 3rd series 500-count vending box sold for $18,600. These initial offerings from the collection, tied to a former Topps employee, fetched a total of $284,455, with expectations of reaching into the seven figures as more items are sold in the coming months.
The auction also showcased nearly two dozen vintage autographed cards, meticulously amassed by collector Mike Greenbaum over the years. The most prominent among them was a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card, graded 1.5 and featuring an autograph grade of 8, which led the pack with a final price of $117,000. Another notable sale was a signed Roy Campanella card from the same set, also graded 1.5, which fetched $69,000.
Individual card sales were notable as well, with a T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait card, graded PSA 6 and featuring a Piedmont advertising back, selling for $105,000. A 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded PSA 9, reached a price of $80,533, while a 1962 Topps Manager's Dream card, showcasing both Mantle and Mays, sold for $75,000.
Complete sets were also in high demand, with the highest-rated set of 1909-1912 Colgan's chips discs selling for an impressive $54,000. The 16th ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set garnered $93,000, and an all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000, highlighting the auction's diverse and valuable selections.
The Winter Sports Card Auction at Heritage proved to be a record-breaking event, with the Babe Ruth rookie card and Michael Jordan rookie card leading the way in terms of sale prices. Collectors and investors eagerly anticipate future auctions, as Heritage continues to offer an unparalleled selection of rare and valuable sports cards for enthusiasts around the globe.
Source
Comments