REA’s May Encore Auction, held on a recent Sunday night, witnessed a frenzy of activity as collectors indulged in set building, focusing on complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s. These sets, renowned for their rarity and pristine condition, stole the spotlight and dominated the sales chart, showcasing the growing trend of high-grade set collection in the collectibles market.
A standout sale from the auction was a 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing only one card, that commanded an impressive price of $126,000. Ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, this set exemplifies the meticulous standards collectors uphold for such compilations. Following closely was a 1957 Topps complete set, positioned at #24 on the PSA Set Registry, also boasting a GPA of 8.00, which realized $99,000. Another notable highlight was the sale of a 1959 Topps complete set, holding the #29 spot on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, fetching $72,000.
The auction also shone a light on pre-war rarities that garnered significant interest and set new records. A 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back and graded PSA FAIR 1.5 was a highly anticipated lot, selling for $54,000 and establishing a new record for its grade and back combination. Additionally, a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card achieved $30,000, marking a record price for its grade of VG-EX 4.
With over 3,600 items up for bidding, the auction amassed nearly $1.8 million in sales from a whopping 63,000 bids. Some other top-selling items included a 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, selling for $52,800, a 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, fetching $36,000, and a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, SGC FAIR 1.5, which garnered $29,400. The iconic Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card, PSA EX 5, went under the hammer for $25,200.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his delight at the auction’s success, emphasizing the robust outcomes and the revival of interest in high-grade set building. Dwyer optimistically stated, “This is a very positive sign of great things to come in our upcoming events and the industry as a whole.”
Looking forward, REA is preparing for its June Encore Auction commencing on June 13, followed by the larger Summer Catalog Auction launching on July 23. The latter coincides with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will be prominently featured at Booth #6032, promising more excitement and remarkable finds for collectors and enthusiasts alike.