Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction kicked off the year in style, dazzling collectors with an impressive total of over $7.1 million in sales. The event featured a treasure trove of vintage sports cards and memorabilia that ignited fierce bidding wars among enthusiasts worldwide.
The spotlight of the auction fell squarely on the legendary Babe Ruth, with three 1933 Goudey cards graded PSA NM/MT 8 stealing the show. Combining forces, these cards fetched a staggering total of nearly $700,000. Of the trio, the #149 card with a striking red background commanded an impressive $316,736, showcasing Ruth’s enduring popularity among collectors.
One of the standout lots was a rare advertising card from the early 1920s featuring Ruth and Carl Mays, graded SGC 3, which fetched a remarkable $95,860 after sparking intense competition. Other notable Ruth items included a 1921 E253 Oxford Confectionery card graded PSA 5, selling for $52,102, and a 1932 U.S. Caramel card graded PSA 6.5, which brought in $48,508.
Another iconic figure in baseball history, Joe Jackson, made waves with his 1915 Cracker Jack #103 card, graded PSA 7, setting a new record for its grade at an impressive $173,794. This card was part of a set break that collectively amassed over $850,000 in sales, underlining the enduring allure of vintage baseball cards.
The allure of the 1952 Topps collection was undeniable, with three cards graded PSA 8 crossing the six-figure mark. The Eddie Mathews high-number card led the trio, commanding $123,484, while the Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays cards also drew significant interest from collectors.
Mickey Mantle cards continued to captivate bidders, with a rare 1959 Bazooka card graded PSA 6 fetching $33,586, and a complete 1959 Bazooka box featuring Mantle on the back, graded PSA 1, selling for $18,575. Additionally, four PSA 10 Bazooka Mantle cards from 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1966 collectively brought in close to $50,000.
Various Mantle highlights included a 1953 Topps PSA 7 NM at $29,012, a 1956 Topps Gray Back PSA 8.5 at $38,879, and a 1966 O-Pee-Chee Mantle SGC 9 at $16,886. Other notable sales from the auction included a 1957 Topps Willie Mays PSA 9 selling for $58,961, and a 1957 Topps Whitey Ford PSA 10 fetching $56,153.
Hockey enthusiasts rejoiced as a 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie card, graded PSA 10, commanded $72,455, while football cards also made their mark with notable sales like the 1964 Topps Bobby Bell rookie PSA 10 at $31,558, 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen rookie PSA 10 at $19,018, and 1973 Topps Art Shell rookie PSA 10 at $20,432.
The auction wasn’t just about cards; it featured unique memorabilia finds that added to the excitement. Items like the Ty Cobb Tobacco tin from the 1910s selling for $30,463, a Mickey Mantle single-signed baseball with a rare “#6” inscription at $20,934, a handwritten letter from Mantle’s 1951 rookie season also at $20,934, and a Joe Jackson Louisville Slugger decal bat from the early 1910s selling for $16,121 showcased the diverse offerings at the event.
Overall, Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction set a formidable benchmark for the year ahead, with record-breaking sales and exceptional items leaving collectors eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to acquire pieces of sports history.