REA’s May Encore Auction held on a recent Sunday night dazzled collectors with an array of vintage treasures and record-breaking sales. The event was a hub of activity, particularly in the realm of set building, where collectors showed a keen interest in classic baseball sets from the 1950s. These sets, revered for their rarity and impeccable condition, took center stage and dominated the sales chart, indicating a notable trend in high-grade set collection within the collectibles market.
One of the auction’s standout sales was a nearly complete 1958 Topps set, missing only a single card, which fetched an impressive $126,000. Ranked at #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a notable GPA of 8.00, this set exemplified the exacting standards that collectors uphold for such comprehensive compilations. Following closely behind was a 1957 Topps complete set, ranked at #24 on the PSA Set Registry, also boasting a GPA of 8.00, which sold for $99,000. Additionally, the 1959 Topps complete set, securing the #29 spot on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, was acquired for $72,000.
The auction shone a spotlight on pre-war rarities, sparking significant interest and setting new records. The highly anticipated sale of a 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, commanded a price of $54,000, setting a fresh record for its grade and back combination. Another noteworthy transaction was the sale of a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which fetched $30,000, marking a record price for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items up for auction, the event garnered nearly $1.8 million in sales from an impressive 63,000 bids. Some of the other top sellers included the likes of the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 condition, which sold for $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8 condition, achieving a price of $36,000. The 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, rated SGC FAIR 1.5, fetched $29,400, while Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card, graded PSA EX 5, was sold for $25,200. Notable sales also included a 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card and a 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card, each fetching $24,600, among others.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his delight at the auction’s success, emphasizing the robust outcomes and the resurgence of interest in high-grade set collection. Dwyer conveyed optimism for the forthcoming events, hinting at great things to come in both REA’s upcoming auctions and the industry as a whole.
Looking towards the future, REA is gearing up for its June Encore Auction, commencing on June 13, followed by the grand Summer Catalog Auction launching on July 23. The latter coincides with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will take center stage at Booth #6032, promising more spectacular finds and thrilling auctions for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
