REA’s May Encore Auction, held on a recent Sunday night, was a hotbed of activity, boasting record-breaking sales and a plethora of vintage treasures that sent collectors into a bidding frenzy. The standout trend of the auction was the remarkable interest in high-grade set building, particularly revolving around classic baseball card sets from the 1950s, known for their scarcity and pristine condition.
Leading the pack in terms of sales was a near-complete 1958 Topps set, missing only one card, which commanded an impressive $126,000. Ranked at #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, this set exemplifies the pinnacle of collector standards for such compilations. Following closely was a complete 1957 Topps set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, fetching a hefty sum of $99,000. Additionally, the 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, sold for $72,000, further underscoring the strong demand for top-tier baseball card sets.
The auction also showcased pre-war rarities that turned heads and set new records. A prized 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card featuring the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, was a highly anticipated lot, finally selling for $54,000 and establishing a record price for its grade and back combination. Noteworthy was the sale of a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which fetched $30,000, marking a new record price for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items up for auction and an impressive 63,000 bids, the event raked in nearly $1.8 million in total sales. Some other top-selling lots included the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, which fetched $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, selling for $36,000. A unique find was a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, graded SGC FAIR 1.5, which garnered $29,400. Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card, PSA EX 5, was another sought-after piece that sold for $25,200. Rounding out the top sellers were the 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card, PSA VG-EX+ 4.5, and the 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, each going for $24,600.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his delight at the auction’s success, pointing out the robust results and highlighting the resurgence of interest in high-grade set building. Dwyer emphasized the positive implications for future events and the industry at large, foreseeing great things on the horizon.
Looking towards the future, REA is gearing up for its June Encore Auction set to kick off on June 13, followed by the larger Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. The latter coincides with the prestigious 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will be making a prominent appearance at Booth #6032, promising more exciting opportunities for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
