Hold onto your baseball caps and get ready for the thrill of a lifetime as Willie Mays swings into action once again! The sports memorabilia world is buzzing with excitement over the recent sale of a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card for a jaw-dropping $390,935 at the Robert Edward Auctions’ Summer Catalog Auction. This iconic card, the highest-graded example to grace the auction block in over 15 years, had collectors and fans alike on the edge of their seats.
Imagine standing in the batter’s box as eleven fierce bidders stepped up to the plate, each vying for the chance to own this piece of baseball history. With no PSA 10 Mays rookie cards in existence and only eight in a PSA 9 grade, it’s no surprise that the competition was fierce. In the end, one lucky bidder emerged victorious, claiming this cardboard treasure and etching their name in the annals of sports memorabilia history.
To put the monumental sale in perspective, just last week, a PSA 8 copy of the same Willie Mays card sold for an impressive $207,400 at Goldin Auctions. Clearly, the demand for Mays’ rookie cards is hotter than a scorching summer day at the ballpark, with collectors willing to pay top dollar for these coveted pieces.
But the story doesn’t end there. In a heartwarming twist, the proceeds from the sale are set to fund a college scholarship endowment, adding a philanthropic touch to this historic moment. Not only did this card make waves in the world of sports memorabilia, but it’s also paving the way for a brighter future for deserving students. Talk about a win-win!
The excitement didn’t stop with the sale of the Willie Mays rookie card. The Summer Catalog Auction proved to be a grand slam in its own right, pulling in over $13.3 million from more than 82,000 bids across nearly 3,200 lots. Thirteen items soared past the six-figure mark, with collectors clamoring for their chance to own a piece of history.
Among the standout sales was a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie PSA 4.5 card that set a record by fetching $162,000, the highest price ever for that grade. Autographed memorabilia also proved popular, with an autographed 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella rookie (PSA 3) with a PSA 9 signature grade selling for $132,000, and a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (PSA 7 with a 7 autograph rating) netting $120,000.
Not to be outdone, a 1936-1937 Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals game-used road jersey hit it out of the park, selling for an impressive $114,000, setting a record for Dizzy Dean memorabilia. The auction was a treasure trove of sports memorabilia, with collectors eagerly snatching up items that spoke to their passion for the game.
With a lineup of record-breaking sales and enthusiastic bidders, the Summer Catalog Auction was a definite win for sports memorabilia enthusiasts. President of REA, Brian Dwyer, expressed his gratitude to both the consignors who entrusted their precious items to the auction house and the bidders who made the event a resounding success.
If you missed out on the action, fear not! The excitement continues with REA’s upcoming September Encore Auction, scheduled to run from September 12-22. So, mark your calendars and get ready for another round of thrilling bids and historic sales. The game is far from over!
