REA’s May Encore Auction was a dazzling display of vintage baseball treasures that left collectors and enthusiasts delighted and eager for more. The event, which wrapped up on a recent Sunday night, saw a flurry of activity with collectors showing keen interest in classic baseball sets from the 1950s, driving the sales to record-breaking heights.
At the heart of the auction’s success were the complete and near-complete classic baseball sets that stole the spotlight. The 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing only one card, was a star performer, fetching an impressive $126,000. Ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with an enviable GPA of 8.00, this set exemplifies the meticulous standards collectors uphold for such collections. Following close behind was the 1957 Topps complete set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry, also boasting a GPA of 8.00, which commanded a price of $99,000. Not to be outdone, the 1959 Topps complete set, holding the #29 spot on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, changed hands for $72,000.
The auction also embraced pre-war rarities, stirring up excitement among bidders and setting new records in the process. A highlight was the sale of a 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the elusive Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, which fetched $54,000, establishing a new record for its grade and back combination. Another standout was the auction of a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which was clinched for $30,000, setting a record price for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items going under the hammer, the auction raked in nearly $1.8 million from a staggering 63,000 bids. Among the top sellers were iconic pieces such as the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card in a PSA NM-MT 8 grade, fetching $52,800; the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card in a PSA NM-MT 8 grade, achieving $36,000; and a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie in an SGC FAIR 1.5 grade, which garnered $29,400. Additionally, the Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card in a PSA EX 5 grade was sold for $25,200.
REA President, Brian Dwyer, expressed his satisfaction with the auction’s performance, citing the strong results and the uptick in interest in high-grade set building. He confidently remarked, “This is a very positive sign of great things to come in our upcoming events and the industry as a whole.”
Looking ahead, REA is gearing up for more thrilling auctions. The June Encore Auction kicks off on June 13, followed by the grand Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. The latter coincides with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will take center stage at Booth #6032, promising even more excitement for collectors and enthusiasts alike.