Robert Edward Auctions’ March Encore sale provided a thrilling spectacle for vintage sports card collectors, as records were smashed and jaw-dropping bids rolled in. The highlight of the auction was the astounding $32,400 sale of a 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth card in PSA EX-NM 6 condition, sending shockwaves through the collecting community.
Not stopping there, the auction saw further records tumble with a 1911 E94 George Close Candy Ty Cobb SGC POOR 1 fetching $28,000 and a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder PSA EX 5 with a Tolstoi Back going for $27,600. These exceptional prices set new benchmarks in the world of vintage card collecting.
In total, the auction showcased more than 3,300 lots, igniting fierce bidding wars and culminating in a staggering $1.3 million in total sales from almost 66,000 bids. The frenzy of activity underscored the enduring appeal and value of these rare and cherished collectibles.
Among the remarkable sales were a 1976 Topps #500 Reggie Jackson card in PSA GEM MINT 10 condition, which commanded a price of $30,000, a 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie in PSA MINT 9 condition selling for $25,200, and a 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie in PSA VG+ 3.5 condition fetching $23,400.
Notable mentions included 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, both fetching $14,400 and captivating collectors with their historical significance.
The auction also featured some truly rare finds, such as an Extremely Rare 1921 Schapira Bros. Candy Babe Ruth box part, which sold for $10,800, and an 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter John Clarkson in PSA EX-MT 6 condition, realizing $8,100 and setting new records in the process.
Further records were set with the sale of 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 for $7,500, and a 1934 R320 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition for $5,280, adding to the auction’s list of impressive achievements.
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, expressed his satisfaction with the auction’s results, noting the market’s robust resilience and setting an optimistic tone for the forthcoming Spring Catalog Auction. As vintage sports card collecting continues to thrive, the records shattered at this event serve as a testament to the enduring passion and fervor of collectors worldwide.
