Hold onto your baseball caps, folks, because Willie Mays has just hit another home run in the world of sports memorabilia! The 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card recently made headlines by fetching an astonishing $390,935 at Robert Edward Auctions’ Summer Catalog Auction. This sale has set a new record and left collectors in awe of this iconic piece of baseball history.
Considered the highest-graded example to be put up for auction in over 15 years, this Willie Mays rookie card attracted a fierce competition among eleven passionate bidders. With no PSA 10 graded Mays rookie cards in existence and only eight in a PSA 9 grade, it’s no surprise that collectors were eager to get their hands on this rare gem.
To put this achievement into perspective, a PSA 8 copy of the same Mays card was sold for $207,400 just the week before at Goldin Auctions. It goes to show that Mays’ rookie cards are hotter than a scorching summer day at the ballpark, with prices soaring to new heights with each sale.
But the story doesn’t end there. The proceeds from this record-breaking sale are being used to fund a college scholarship endowment, making this card not just a piece of memorabilia but a contributor to shaping future opportunities. A win-win situation for all involved!
The Summer Catalog Auction was a blockbuster success, amassing over $13.3 million from a staggering 82,000 bids across almost 3,200 lots. Thirteen items crossed the six-figure mark, including a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie PSA 4.5, which set a new record by selling for $162,000—the highest ever price for that particular grade.
Among the other standout sales were an autographed 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella rookie (PSA 3) with a PSA 9 signature grade, fetching $132,000, and a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (PSA 7 with a 7 autograph rating), selling for $120,000.
Not to be overshadowed, a 1936-1937 Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals game-used road jersey also made an impression, closing at an impressive $114,000 and setting a new record for Dizzy Dean memorabilia.
Here are some other notable sales from the auction:
– 1933 R338 Sport Kings #2 Babe Ruth PSA NM-MT 8 – $120,000
– 1915 Boston Red Sox Real-Photo Team Postcard with Babe Ruth Rookie – $114,000
– 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson Rookie PSA GEM MINT 10 – $111,000
– 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Glove Shows PSA EX+ 5.5 (Broad Leaf 460 Back) – $111,000
– 1979-1980 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie PSA MINT 9 – $105,000
– 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson SGC GOOD+ 2.5 – $102,000 (record for SGC grade)
– 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth PSA NM 7 – $96,000 (record for the card)
– 1984-1985 Star Company Basketball #101 Michael Jordan Rookie BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 – $52,800 (record for Beckett grade)
REA President, Brian Dwyer, expressed his gratitude to both the consignors and bidders for their part in making this auction a resounding success. If you missed out on this one, fear not! REA’s next big event is the September Encore Auction, running from September 12-22, promising more thrills and exceptional items up for grabs. So, stay tuned for more exciting auctions ahead!
