Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction has kicked off the year in sensational style, amassing an impressive $7.1 million in total sales. This major event for the renowned auction house showcased an array of vintage sports cards and memorabilia that had collectors from all corners of the globe eagerly bidding to secure these coveted pieces of history.
The star of the show was undoubtedly the legendary Babe Ruth, with his cards proving to be the top draws of the auction. Three 1933 Goudey cards, all graded PSA NM/MT 8, fetched a staggering total of nearly $700,000. Of these, the #149 card with a red background stole the spotlight, commanding an astounding $316,736. A rare advertising card from the early 1920s featuring Ruth and Carl Mays, graded SGC 3, generated intense bidding and eventually sold for an impressive $95,860. Other notable Ruth items included a 1921 E253 Oxford Confectionery card graded PSA 5, which sold for $52,102, and a 1932 U.S. Caramel card graded PSA 6.5, bringing in $48,508.
Despite Ruth’s dominance, other heavy hitters also made their mark at the auction. A 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, graded PSA 7, set a new record for its grade by selling for a remarkable $173,794. Additionally, three 1952 Topps cards graded PSA 8 soared past the six-figure mark, with Eddie Mathews leading the pack at $123,484, followed by Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays cards that garnered significant interest.
Mickey Mantle cards continued to captivate collectors, with a rare 1959 Bazooka card graded PSA 6 fetching $33,586. A complete 1959 Bazooka box featuring Mantle on the back, graded PSA 1, achieved $18,575. Noteworthy Mantle highlights included a 1953 Topps PSA 7 NM selling for $29,012, a 1956 Topps Gray Back PSA 8.5 for $38,879, and a 1966 O-Pee-Chee Mantle SGC 9 fetching $16,886.
In addition to baseball, the auction featured highlights from other sports. A 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie card, graded PSA 10, commanded attention from hockey collectors and sold for an impressive $72,455. Football cards also saw strong sales, with notable items such as the 1964 Topps Bobby Bell rookie PSA 10 selling for $31,558, the 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen rookie PSA 10 for $19,018, and the 1973 Topps Art Shell rookie PSA 10 for $20,432.
Beyond cards, the auction showcased unique sports memorabilia that piqued the interest of bidders. Highlights included a Ty Cobb Tobacco tin from the 1910s selling for $30,463, a Mickey Mantle single-signed baseball with a rare “#6” inscription fetching $20,934, a handwritten letter from Mantle’s 1951 rookie season also selling for $20,934, and a Joe Jackson Louisville Slugger decal bat from the early 1910s-1915 selling for $16,121.
With record-breaking sales and a plethora of exceptional items, Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction has set a high standard for sports memorabilia auctions in 2025. Collectors are eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to acquire these iconic pieces of sports history.
