The record-breaking sale of a 1952 Topps Willie Mays card propelled Heritage Auctions to a three-day auction total of $11 million last weekend. It’s the first eight-figure auction of 2016 in the sports collectibles arena.
The Mays card, graded PSA 9, sold for $478,000 and was one of several records set in the auction.
“In less than three months, we have dropped the hammer on over $20 million in sales,” explained Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Collectibles at Heritage. “It was a quick turnaround after our New York Platinum Night.”
The Trading Card session on Thursday, May 12 accounted for more than $7 million of the auction total prices realized, upending conventional pricing wisdom across the full spectrum.
Other noteworthy results included:
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 SGC 84 NM 7 $215,100.
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 PSA NM-MT 8 $167,300.
1955 Topps Roberto Clemente #164 PSA NM-MT 8 $131,450.
1955 Topps Sandy Koufax #123 PSA NM-MT+ 8.5: $89,625.
1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth #32 PSA NM-MT 8: $83,650.
1951 Bowman Willie Mays #305 PSA NM-MT 8: $77,944.
1971 Topps Baseball 4th Series Wax Box with 24 Unopened Packs: $77,675.
The memorabilia session of the auction was anchored by The Dr. David Fischer “Dream Team” Collection, featuring game used gear and other mementos of the historic 1992 Olympic Basketball Gold Medal squad. Notable results were $52,580 for Michael Jordan game worn sneakers and $40,630 for a team signed basketball.
A 1980s Mike Bossy gamer quadrupled its estimate to command a sale price of $35,850, while a rookie-era Pete Rose jersey soared past $50,000.
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