Mile High Card Company’s recently concluded auction consisted of some of the most desirable tobacco era complete sets in the hobby, the likes of which haven’t been seen in the auction arena in quite some time. Leading the way in the sports card offerings was the sale of an ultra high grade 1911 T3 Turkey Red Complete Set that sold for a cumulative $200,642.
The set was offered in two formats: complete and via individual cards with the higher bid amount determining how it would ultimately be sold. Eventually, the individual cards won out with bidders. The highest priced card was the #9 Ty Cobb graded PSA EX/MT 6 which sold for $25,273.00. The #101 Wee Willie Keeler PSA 7 commanded $13,438.00, while the #16 Johnny Evers PSA 6 EX/MT found a new home at the tune of $7,063.00.
The auction also featured a high end 1911 T205 Complete Set that was completely PSA graded with a GPA of 5.869, ranking as the third highest graded complete set on the PSA Set Registry. The set was also offered in the MHCC aggregate form and sold individually for a total of $131,609.00. Some of the highlights of the set were the Addie Joss PSA 6 EX/MT (just one graded higher by PSA) which sold for $6,420.00.
A T205 Gold Border Irvin K. Wilhelm “‘Suffered’ in 18th Line” PSA 4 VG/EX reached unprecedented levels with a sale of $7,132.00, a T205 Gold Border R. Hoblitzell “No Stats” PSA 5 EX found a new home in tune with market pricing at $11,308.00, as well the popular pasteboard of Ty Cobb from the 1911 T205 series graded EX/MT 6 by PSA sold for $5,426.00.
Also offered in the assemblage of pre-war material was a 1911 M116 Sporting Life Master Set #2 All-Time Finest on PSA Set Registry with GPA of 6.387 that fetched an impressive $98,508.00. A 1913 T200 Fatima Team Card Complete Set Completely PSA Graded (#3 All Time Finest on the PSA Set Registry) was sold as individual lots for a cumulative $15,532.00.
“Once again, the number of newly registered bidders combined with the strength of the final sale prices offers evidence that the hobby continues to thrive,” said Mile High’s Brian Drent. “And that truly great material will always sell for tremendous prices.”
Other lots included a 1915 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb SGC 86 NM+ 7.5 ($17,362.00) and a 1933 Goudey #92 Lou Gehrig PSA 8 NM/MT ($12,440.00) and a 1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth ($17,101).
Post war auction sales included a 1975 Topps #620 Gary Carter graded PSA 10 GEM MINT sold for $6,932.94, a 1948 Leaf Near Complete Set Completely PSA Graded #10 (Current Finest on the PSA Set Registry), sold for $22,922.00.
Performing far above recent market value was a 1950 Bowman #22 Jackie Robinson PSA 8.5 NM/MT+ which sold for $5,969.00.
In addition to cards MHCC offered a select group of unopened lots that were highlighted by a 1972 Topps Full Unopened 5th/6th Series Wax Box that sold for $7,235.00 and a scarce 1991 Topps Desert Shield Full Unopened Wax Box, headed out the door for $5,098.00.
The much ballyhooed Babe Ruth and Al Capone Dual-Signed OAL (Harridge) Ball sold for $61,863.00, while a 1927 Babe Ruth Single-Signed Ball old for $8,435.00.
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