Title: Vintage Sports Cards Triumph: Mile High’s Winter Auction Showcases Record-Breaking Sales
Subtitle: Collectors go wild as iconic vintage sports cards fetch sky-high prices
Meta Description: Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction wows collectors with record-breaking sales of vintage sports cards, including the legendary Mickey Mantle rookie card.
Vintage sports cards have once again proven their enduring allure in the dynamic market of collectibles, captivating collectors and fetching record-breaking prices in the Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company. The highlight of the auction was the sale of a prized 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card, graded PSA 8, for an impressive $378,997. This card not only represents the legendary status of Mickey Mantle in baseball history but also underscores the lasting significance of vintage sports cards in the collectors’ market.
The auction also saw other notable sales, including a 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Joe Jackson card with a blank back, graded PSA 7, which sold for $104,302, far surpassing its previous record of $25,000. A 1934 Goudey #61 Lou Gehrig card, graded PSA 8, fetched $101,623, while a 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle card, also graded PSA 8, went for $89,635. A 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente card, graded PSA 8, achieved a sale price of $72,084.
Not just individual legends, the auction also set record prices for cards of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. A 1964 Topps #342 Willie Stargell card, graded PSA 10, sold for $30,674, significantly higher than the previous record of $4,154. Other Stargell cards from 1966 and 1973 Topps also achieved record prices.
In addition, the auction set new records with sales of various other vintage cards, including a 1962 Topps #45 Brooks Robinson card (PSA 9) sold for $30,391, a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card (PSA 3 VG) for $11,732, and a 1969 Topps #100 Hank Aaron card (PSA 9) for $10,665. A 1972 Topps #229 World Series Game 7 card, graded PSA 10, fetched $12,388.
The auction wasn’t limited to baseball cards; it also featured other classic cards that drew significant attention. A 1941 Playball #71 Joe DiMaggio card, graded SGC 8.5, attracted a high bid of $79,531, reflecting the deep nostalgia and respect for the era’s baseball heroes. A 1910-11 Sporting Life M116 Hans Wagner card and a 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card sold for $77,770 and $45,776, respectively.
Memorabilia items were also in high demand. A Babe Ruth-signed OAL (Harridge) baseball topped the memorabilia sales, selling for $40,486. A 1972 California Angels Nolan Ryan signed game-used home jersey fetched $56,518, while a circa 1934 Paul & Dizzy Dean “Beech-Nut Tobacco” oversized die-cut advertising sign sold for $11,403.
Jerseys from baseball legends like Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson also garnered significant interest, with each fetching over $13,000. A 1980 Rickey Henderson game-used Oakland A’s alternate jersey sold for $24,639, and a 1998 Ken Griffey Jr. game-used autographed bat, used for his 33rd home run of the 1998 Season, went for $17,328. A unique item in the auction was a 1962 Post Alpha-Bits unopened box featuring Sandy Koufax, which attracted a bid of $11,028.
The success of the Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company not only demonstrates the continuing strength and appeal of vintage sports cards but also highlights the rich history and nostalgia these cards and memorabilia evoke. The remarkable prices fetched by items associated with legends like Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Lou Gehrig, and Willie Stargell, among others, signify the deep connection and reverence fans and collectors have for the golden era of sports. Vintage sports cards and memorabilia remain a vital and vibrant part of the collectibles market, continuing to attract interest and investment from enthusiasts around the world.