Robert Edward Auctions (REA) made waves in the collector’s world with their recent March Encore sale that saw staggering record-breaking sales of vintage cards. The auction, which featured more than 3,300 lots, managed to generate over $1.3 million from eager bidders, with one particular gem standing out among the rest.
A standout moment came when a 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth card in PSA EX-NM 6 condition was sold for an impressive $32,400. This sale not only highlighted the demand for rare vintage cards but also set a new benchmark for such collectibles.
Not stopping at just one record-breaking sale, the auction continued to impress with a 1911 E94 George Close Candy Ty Cobb in SGC POOR 1 condition fetching $28,000, and a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder in PSA EX 5 with a Tolstoi Back selling for $27,600, both setting remarkable new records in the vintage card market.
The auction attracted nearly 66,000 bids, showcasing the immense interest and enthusiasm of collectors vying for these prized memorabilia items. Among the other notable sales were a 1976 Topps #500 Reggie Jackson in PSA GEM MINT 10 condition that sold for $30,000, a 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie in PSA MINT 9 for $25,200, and a 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie in PSA VG+ 3.5 condition for $23,400.
Further adding to the auction’s success were the sales of 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, with both items fetching $14,400 each. These rare finds contributed to the overall excitement and competitiveness of the bidding war.
The auction also featured some truly unique and highly sought-after pieces, such as an Extremely Rare 1921 Schapira Bros. Candy Babe Ruth box part that sold for $10,800 and an 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter John Clarkson in PSA EX-MT 6 condition that went for $8,100, setting new records in their respective categories.
Notable records were also set by a Billy Southworth Single-Signed Baseball, a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Portrait in PSA POOR 1 condition with a Brown Hindu Back that sold for $7,500, and a 1934 R320 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition for $5,280. These unique items added depth and variety to the auction, attracting a wide range of collectors.
REA’s President, Brian Dwyer, expressed his delight at the auction’s success, emphasizing the strength of the vintage market and setting a positive outlook for the upcoming Spring Catalog Auction. With such impressive sales and enthusiastic participation from collectors, the vintage card market continues to thrive, showcasing the enduring appeal and value of these timeless collectibles.
