REA’s June Encore Auction recently wrapped up, setting the stage for an exciting event that highlighted set building and vintage card staples. With over 3,200 lots up for grabs, this auction attracted a staggering 67,300 bids and generated over $1.7 million in sales.
A standout theme of this auction was the focus on building complete graded sets, with six complete sets ranking among the top ten items sold. The top three sellers were impressive Topps Baseball complete sets from 1963, 1960, and 1961, fetching $75,000, $66,000, and $54,000 respectively. These sets are highly coveted and are among the best-ranked on the PSA Set Registry. Additionally, complete sets from 1950 Bowman, 1964 Topps, and 1965 Topps Baseball each sold for $37,200.
One of the auction’s highlights was the sale of a 1970-1971 Topps Basketball #160 Jerry West PSA GEM MINT 10 card, one of only two instances graded this high. The card sold for $54,000, setting a new record for this card in any grade. This sale gained particular attention following the recent passing of Jerry West, the iconic Basketball Hall of Famer who inspired the NBA logo.
Several other notable sales included a 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb SGC FAIR 1.5 card selling for $38,400, a 1957 Topps #95 Mickey Mantle PSA NM-MT+ 8.5 card also fetching $38,400, and an unopened 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Wax Box featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson’s rookie year selling for $18,600.
With a strong appetite for vintage staples and rare finds, other popular items included a 1921 Exhibits Babe Ruth card that sold for $16,200, a 1933 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig card fetching $13,200, and a 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Aaron Judge Blue Wave Refractor selling for $10,200.
REA President Brian Dwyer commented on the auction’s success, noting the consistent demand for top-quality graded sets and iconic vintage cards. Looking ahead, he mentioned the anticipation for the upcoming Summer Catalog Auction, set to commence on July 23. Collectors eager to participate can request a catalog through the REA website, while those attending The National in Cleveland can visit REA at booth #6032 to preview select items from the upcoming auction.
For more details on REA’s upcoming auctions and insider stories from past events, interested individuals can visit the REA website for a comprehensive overview of the exciting world of sports memorabilia auctions.