Robert Edward Auctions’ March Encore sale was nothing short of spectacular as vintage card collectors and enthusiasts witnessed a jaw-dropping display of record-breaking sales. The star of the show was undeniably a 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth card, which fetched an impressive $32,400, setting the tone for an auction filled with astonishing results.
Collectors and bidders alike were captivated by the remarkable prices achieved, with notable pieces like a 1911 E94 George Close Candy Ty Cobb SGC POOR 1 and a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder PSA EX 5 with a Tolstoi Back selling for $28,000 and $27,600, respectively, establishing new records in the vintage card market.
The auction featured an extensive array of over 3,300 lots, sparking fierce bidding wars that ultimately resulted in a staggering total of over $1.3 million garnered from nearly 66,000 bids. Among the plethora of standout sales were a 1976 Topps #500 Reggie Jackson PSA GEM MINT 10, which fetched $30,000, a 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie PSA MINT 9 selling for $25,200, and a 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie PSA VG+ 3.5 reaching $23,400.
Noteworthy mentions in the auction included a 1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet Honus Wagner PSA GOOD 2 (MK) and a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie SGC GOOD+ 2.5, both commanding $14,400 and reaffirming the enduring appeal of these iconic players in the collector’s market.
Rare and unique items also fetched impressive prices, with an Extremely Rare 1921 Schapira Bros. Candy Babe Ruth box part selling for $10,800, and an 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter John Clarkson PSA EX-MT 6 going for $8,100, setting new benchmarks for collectibles of their kind.
Further adding to the excitement were record-setting sales such as a Billy Southworth Single-Signed Baseball, a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Portrait PSA POOR 1 (Brown Hindu Back) fetching $7,500, and a 1934 R320 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig SGC GOOD+ 2.5 selling for an impressive $5,280, showcasing the fervent demand for rare and well-preserved pieces in the vintage sports memorabilia market.
REA’s president, Brian Dwyer, hailed the auction’s resounding success as a testament to the enduring strength of the vintage market, instilling optimism as collectors eagerly anticipate the upcoming Spring Catalog Auction. With each sale, these vintage pieces not only change hands but also carry with them a piece of history, preserving the legacy of legendary athletes for generations to come.