Over the weekend, Heritage Auctions’ Winter Sports Card Auction made waves in the collectibles world with a series of historic sales. The standout item of the event 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 others known within SGC’s records. The auction as a whole raked in over $11.1 million in total sales, with several other notable items reaching six figures.
One of the highlights of the auction was a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, immaculately graded PSA 10, which achieved the highest sale price for a Gem Mint PSA graded copy since September 2021. This sought-after card fetched a substantial sum and added to the excitement surrounding the event.
Vintage, still-sealed boxes were also a major draw for collectors. A 1965 Topps Baseball wax box, containing cards from the second, third, and fourth series, fetched an impressive $336,000 after being authenticated by BBCE. This specific box had an intriguing provenance, as it originated from the collection of Adolph “Herky” Rupp Jr., the descendant of legendary Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp. Rupp Jr.’s collection also featured a 1953 Topps Willie Mays card, graded PSA 8, which commanded a price of $186,000.
Another highlight of the auction was the sale of several unopened boxes from a recently discovered collection. These boxes, acquired towards the end of the previous year, broke records with their sale prices. A 1970 Topps Baseball 6th series cello box reached an impressive $105,000, a 1968 Topps Football 1st series 36-pack cello box set 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 sold for a combined total of $284,455, with more items expected to reach the seven-figure mark in upcoming auctions.
The auction also featured a collection of vintage autographed cards, which 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 with a sale price of $117,000. A similarly graded signed Roy Campanella card from the same set fetched $69,000, showcasing the enduring appeal of these iconic players.
Individual card sales were also strong, with notable prices achieved for highly sought-after cards. A T206 Ty Cobb Green portrait, graded PSA 6 with a Piedmont advertising back, sold for $105,000. A 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle card, graded PSA 9, reached an impressive $80,533, while a 1962 Topps Manager’s Dream card, featuring both Mantle and Mays, sold for $75,000.
Complete sets were also in high demand at the auction. The highest-rated set of 1909-1912 Colgan’s chips discs fetched $54,000, highlighting the enduring popularity of these unique collectibles. The 16th-ranked 1969-70 Topps Basketball set garnered $93,000, while an all-PSA 8 1952 Bowman baseball set was acquired for $84,000, demonstrating the value collectors place on preserving and owning these complete sets.
The Heritage Auctions Winter Sports Card Auction showcased a diverse range of valuable collectibles, from rare rookie cards to sealed boxes and complete sets. With record-breaking sales and exceptional items, the event solidified its place in history as a must-attend event for serious collectors and enthusiasts alike.
