REA’s May Encore Auction, held on a recent Sunday night, has captured the attention of collectors with its exceptional sales and unique offerings that have set new standards in the collectibles market. The auction showcased a surge in activity surrounding high-grade set building, particularly focusing on complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s that commanded top prices and set new records.
The star of the auction was a 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing just one card, which sold for an impressive $126,000. Ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, this set exemplifies the meticulous standards collectors hold for such compilations. Following closely was a 1957 Topps complete set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry, also boasting a GPA of 8.00, fetching $99,000. Additionally, a 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, was sold for $72,000, further underlining the demand for high-quality vintage sets.
The auction also shone a spotlight on pre-war rarities, attracting significant interest and achieving record prices. One of the most anticipated lots was a 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, which set a new record for its grade and back combination, selling for $54,000. Another highlight was a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which fetched $30,000, marking a record price for its VG-EX 4 grade.
With over 3,600 items up for auction, the event generated nearly $1.8 million in sales from an impressive 63,000 bids. Some of the other top sellers included iconic cards like the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, which fetched $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, selling for $36,000. Noteworthy rarities such as a 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, SGC FAIR 1.5, garnered $29,400, while Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card, PSA EX 5, went for $25,200.
REA President Brian Dwyer expressed his excitement at the auction’s success, highlighting the strong results and the renewed interest in high-grade set building. Dwyer sees this as a positive indicator for future events and the collectibles industry as a whole, fueling anticipation for what’s to come.
Looking ahead, REA is preparing for its June Encore Auction, scheduled to commence on June 13, followed by the larger Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. Coinciding with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, REA will have a prominent presence at Booth #6032, offering collectors more exciting opportunities to acquire rare and coveted pieces for their collections.
