REA’s May Encore Auction recently wrapped up with a bang, showcasing a flurry of record-breaking sales and vintage treasures that left collectors buzzing with excitement. The event, held on a Sunday night, saw a surge in set building as bidders flocked to secure complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s, known for their rarity and superb condition.
One of the auction’s star attractions was a near-complete 1958 Topps set, missing just one card, which sold for an impressive $126,000. This set, ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a stellar GPA of 8.00, exemplifies the meticulous standards collectors uphold for such compilations. Following closely behind was a complete 1957 Topps set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, fetching $99,000. Additionally, the 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, was snapped up for $72,000, further underscoring the trend towards high-grade set building.
The auction also shone a spotlight on pre-war rarities, with exceptional pieces garnering attention and setting new records. A 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card featuring the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, sparked intense bidding and ultimately sold for $54,000, establishing a record price for its grade and back combination. Another standout sale was a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which commanded $30,000, setting a new benchmark for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items going under the hammer, the auction generated nearly $1.8 million in total sales from an impressive 63,000 bids. Among the other top performers were iconic cards like the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8, selling for $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8, fetching $36,000. Additionally, a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie in SGC FAIR 1.5 went for $29,400, while Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card in PSA EX 5 found a new home for $25,200.
Notable mentions include the 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card in PSA VG-EX+ 4.5 and the 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8, each selling for $24,600, along with the 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8, which fetched $24,000. An unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards, featuring Larry Bird and Magic Johnson rookies, sold for $17,400, while the 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth card in PSA VG+ 3.5 went for $15,600. Rounding out the top sellers were the 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie card in PSA NM-MT 8, purchased for $14,400.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his delight at the auction’s success, emphasizing the robust outcomes and resurgence of interest in high-grade set building. Dwyer shared his optimism for the future, hinting at more exciting events on the horizon for both REA and the collectibles industry. As the curtain falls on this event, all eyes are now turning towards REA’s upcoming June Encore Auction, opening on June 13, and the grand Summer Catalog Auction kicking off on July 23. Save the dates and get ready to dive into a world of vintage treasures and unparalleled collectibles as REA continues to dazzle the market.
