REA’s June Encore Auction recently wrapped up, and it was a showcase of high-end complete sets and rare vintage items that stole the spotlight. With a whopping 3,278 lots up for grabs, the auction attracted over $1.7 million in sales, fueled by more than 67,300 bids.
The top sellers of the event were no surprise, with complete graded sets taking a predominant position in the top ten items sold. Leading the pack were the coveted Topps Baseball complete sets from 1963, 1960, and 1961, fetching impressive prices of $75,000, $66,000, and $54,000 respectively. These sets, highly ranked on the PSA Set Registry, garnered significant attention from collectors. Moreover, complete sets from 1950 Bowman, 1964 Topps, and 1965 Topps Baseball also made waves, each selling for $37,200.
A standout item at the auction was the 1970-1971 Topps Basketball #160 Jerry West PSA GEM MINT 10 card, one of only two in existence graded at such a high level. This card, which sold for $54,000, set a new record for any grade of this particular card. The sale of this iconic piece coincided with the recent passing of basketball legend Jerry West, known as the inspiration behind the NBA logo.
Notable sales that caught the eye of collectors included the 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb SGC FAIR 1.5, which fetched $38,400, setting a record for that grade. The 1957 Topps #95 Mickey Mantle in PSA NM-MT+ 8.5 condition also commanded a price of $38,400. Additionally, a box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Unopened Wax Box with 36 packs, featuring the rookie years of Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, sold for $18,600.
The auction also saw the sale of rare vintage items like the 1921 Exhibits Babe Ruth PSA VG+ 3.5 card for $16,200, the 1933 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig card in PSA EX 5 condition for $13,200, and the 1933 Goudey #149 Babe Ruth SGC VG 3 card for the same price.
REA President Brian Dwyer commented on the auction results, noting the continued success of high-quality graded sets and the ongoing demand for vintage rarities. Dwyer also announced the highly anticipated Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23, promising a collection of items that will delight collectors and maintain the momentum of the recent sales trends.
Collectors eager to partake in the upcoming Summer Catalog Auction can request a catalog through the REA website. Additionally, REA will be present at booth #6032 during The National in Cleveland, where a selection of items from the Summer Auction will be on display.
For further details on REA’s future auction schedules and to explore stories from past consignors, enthusiasts can visit the REA website for more information.