Four high-grade early Mickey Mantle cards sold for nearly one half million dollars combined as Mile High Card Company wrapped up its Fall Catalog Auction over the weekend.
The top price went to a PSA 8 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle which brought a final price of $313,483. The last three ’52 Mantle cards sold at auction this year have brought an average price of $365,611.
A 1951 Bowman Mantle rookie card, also carrying an ‘8’ grade, sold for $100,578, which nearly doubled the price of the last ‘8’ sold at auction in 2014.
A PSA 8 1953 Topps Mantle soared to $32,710 in the Mile High sale while a 1955 Stahl-Meyer Mantle carrying a ‘7’ grade realized $31,366, far surpassing the previous record price for the regional rarity.
All prices include a 20% buyer’s premium.
Over 1,300 lots were sold in the auction, which included high-grade rare and vintage cards and other memorabilia. Total sales were $2.4 million.
“We always have a few high-profile items that surprise, but many of the realized prices in this auction were truly astounding, confirming that the current state of the hobby is strong,” said MHCC CEO and President Brian Drent.
Set builders have been waiting decades for the opportunity to upgrade their advanced 1953 Topps sets, and the break-up of the #3 rated set was well-received by MHCC’s clientele. While also offered in complete set form, it was the sum of the individual cards that ultimately prevailed to the tune of $231,572, led by the Mantle at $32,710, #244 Willie Mays PSA 8 at $18,797, #220 Satchel Paige PSA 9 at $11,447 and #1 Jackie Robinson PSA 8 at $3,782.Five lots sold for over $50,000.
The most popular item displayed at the National Sports Collectors Convention was the historic but slightly disturbing 1930s Reach Executioner leather football helmet. Collectors of vintage memorabilia fought hard and in the end, the rare piece sold for $10,496.
A 1960s Hank Aaron Atlanta Braves game used batting helmet brought in $8,398 and a 1998-99 Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts rookie year helmet sold for $8,673. Leading the non-sports charge was a 1977 Topps Star Wars Set, ranked #6 on the PSA Set Registry with 9.809 GPA. It sold for $12,701.
Other sales included:
- 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #149 PSA 8 $66,247
- 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson PSA 9 $57,764
- 1952 Topps Eddie Mathews PSA 8 $55,050
- 1923 Paterson’s Bert Corbeau PSA 1 $39,122
- 4th rated 1971 Topps Baseball set on PSA Registry $38,728
- 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card PSA 8 $36,313
- 1915 Cracker Jack Ty Cobb SGC 92 $35,483
- 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card PSA 9 $26,226
Complete results can be found here.
Mile High’s consignment deadline for its final 2015 auction is October 23, and they will be accepting consignments for future auctions at The Greater Boston Sports Collectors Club Show November 6-8, The Chicago Sun Times Show Nov. 20-22 and The Philly Show Dec. 4-6.
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