Robert Edward Auctions’ (REA) March Encore sale proved to be a groundbreaking event in the world of vintage card collecting, with multiple records being shattered and new benchmarks being set. The highlight of the auction was the sale of a 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth in PSA EX-NM 6 condition, which fetched an impressive $32,400, leaving collectors and enthusiasts in awe.
Not only did the Babe Ruth card steal the show, but other rare and sought-after items also commanded significant attention. A 1911 E94 George Close Candy Ty Cobb in SGC POOR 1 condition and a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder in PSA EX 5 with a Tolstoi Back both set new records with respective sales of $28,000 and $27,600. These remarkable prices speak to the enduring appeal and value of vintage sports cards.
In total, the auction featured over 3,300 lots, attracting a staggering number of nearly 66,000 bids and generating an impressive sum of over $1.3 million. Among the standout sales were a 1976 Topps #500 Reggie Jackson in PSA GEM MINT 10 condition selling for $30,000, a 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie in PSA MINT 9 condition fetching $25,200, and a 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie in PSA VG+ 3.5 condition going for $23,400.
Noteworthy mentions also go to a 1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet Honus Wagner in PSA GOOD 2 (MK) condition and a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition, each selling for $14,400. The auction also saw rare items like an Extremely Rare 1921 Schapira Bros. Candy Babe Ruth box part and an 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter John Clarkson card in PSA EX-MT 6 condition realizing $10,800 and $8,100, respectively, setting new records in their categories.
Further adding to the record-breaking spree were items like a Billy Southworth Single-Signed Baseball, a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Portrait in PSA POOR 1 (Brown Hindu Back) condition, which fetched $7,500, and a 1934 R320 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig card in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition, selling for $5,280.
Brian Dwyer, the President of REA, expressed his delight at the auction’s overwhelming success, citing it as a testament to the enduring strength and appeal of the vintage market. The remarkable results set an optimistic tone for the upcoming Spring Catalog Auction, hinting at continued excitement and robust interest in the world of vintage card collecting. With the bar set high by these record-breaking sales, collectors eagerly await the next chapter in the saga of vintage card auctions.
