Over the weekend, Heritage Auctions' Winter Sports Card Auction made history with its exceptional sales. The standout item was a premiere SGC graded 1916 M101-5 blank back Babe Ruth rookie card, which fetched an astounding sale price of $630,000. This rare card, rated 5.5 by SGC, is one of only seven known examples within SGC's records. The auction itself was an extraordinary event, generating over $11.1 million in total sales. Seven items, including the buyer's premium, reached prices exceeding $100,000. Notably, a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, graded PSA 10, sold for the highest price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021.
The auction showcased a remarkable collection of vintage, still-sealed boxes, with one highlight being a 1965 Topps Baseball wax box containing cards from the second, third, and fourth series. This particular box, originating from the collection of Adolph “Herky” Rupp Jr., was sold for $336,000 after being authenticated by BBCE. Rupp Jr., a descendant of the famed Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp, also had a 1953 Topps Willie Mays card, graded PSA 8, which sold for $186,000.
Moreover, the auction featured several unopened boxes from a recently discovered collection acquired at the end of the previous year. Among these, a 1970 Topps Baseball 6th series cello box set a record with a sale of $105,000, a 1968 Topps Football 1st series 36-pack cello box reached 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, totaled $284,455, with expectations of reaching seven figures as more items are sold in the coming months.
The auction also featured nearly two dozen vintage autographed cards, which had been accumulated by Mike Greenbaum at the time of their origin and garnered significant interest. A standout piece was a 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson card, graded 1.5 with an autograph grade of 8, which led the pack at $117,000. A similarly graded signed Roy Campanella card from the same set fetched $69,000.
Among individual card sales, a T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait, graded PSA 6 and featuring a Piedmont advertising back, sold for $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 was acquired for $75,000.
Complete sets were also on offer, with the highest-rated set of 1909-1912 Colgan’s chips discs selling for $54,000. The 16th ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set fetched $93,000, and an all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000, exemplifying the auction's diverse and valuable selections.
In conclusion, Heritage Auctions' Winter Sports Card Auction delivered historic sales and set new records with its remarkable offerings. From the record-breaking Babe Ruth rookie card to the highly sought-after Michael Jordan rookie card, the auction captivated collectors and enthusiasts alike. With a total sales figure exceeding $11.1 million, this event further solidified the continued popularity and value of rare and vintage sports cards.
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