Mile High Card Company launched the largest catalog auction in company history on Monday with over 2,300 lots up for grabs. The company had a record-setting year in 2017, highlighted by the sale of the seven-figure “Beer Box Find” of vintage unopened wax boxes.
The new auction is highlighted by a 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank graded PSA 2.5, a 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth PSA 8, the top-ranked 1965 Topps set on PSA’s registry and the number one 1991 Topps Desert Shield complete set, which has over 95% of the cards graded PSA 10.
“In addition to our usual assortment of elite cards, this auction should be especially tempting to autograph collectors and early 20th century set-builders,” said company president Brian Drent.
A huge consignment from long-time vintage card collector Brian Goldner comprises a significant part of the catalog with over 900 lots offered. In addition to traditional issues such as Goudey, Diamond Stars, T206, Cracker Jack and Play Ball, it includes high-quality cards from more obscure sets like Buchner Gold Coin, E102 Set of 25, Dockman & Sons, E101 Set of 50, Croft’s Candy, Nadja Caramels, Philadelphia Caramel, Obak, Briggs Co. Lozenge, American Caramel, Mello Mint, Standard Caramel, Tip Top Bread, George Close Candy, Brunners Bread, U.S. Caramel, Glendale Meats and T3 Turkey Red.
The Sigurd Berg Collection contains some of the finest autographs known, each obtained on envelopes and note cards Berg obtained decades ago by simply sending notes to the day’s greatest athletes in various sports and requesting an autograph. Over 100 lots are dedicated to the collection, which includes signed envelopes from decades ago including high-grade examples of Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Ty Cobb, Grover Cleveland Alexander and Tris Speaker and a signed notecard from Honus Wagner. The collection goes far beyond the diamond, however, with other notable names such as Pop Warner, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, James Jeffries, Jesse Owens, Adolph Rupp, Althea Gibson and many more.
In addition to the Berg collection, the auction includes a group of high quality signed checks from baseball’s greatest names. There is a Wagner rated PSA/DNA 9, a Ty Cobb graded 10 and a Jackie Robinson check, also graded 10. Also among the autographed memorabilia is a recently discovered real estate contract signed by Ruth with his full name.
Over 300 caramel cards are featured in the auction while other vintage cards up for grabs include: 1911 M131 Baltimore News Newsboys Ty Cobb SGC 20 FAIR 1.5, 1928 Star Player Candy Ty Cobb PSA 2 GOOD, 1939 Play Ball #92 Ted Williams PSA 8 NM/MT, 1952 Topps #1 Andy Pafko PSA 7.5 NM+, 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA 4 VG/EX, 1952 Topps Frank Campos (Black Star) PSA 8 NM/MT, 1958 Topps #150 Mickey Mantle PSA 9 MINT, 1961 Morrell Meats Sandy Koufax PSA 9 MINT, 1961-63 Bobbin’ Head Dolls Mickey Mantle Ad Photo PSA 9 MINT, 1962 Bell Brand #32 Sandy Koufax PSA 9 MINT, 1963 Fleer #5 Willie Mays PSA 10 GEM MINT, 1963 Fleer #8 Carl Yastrzemski PSA 10 GEM MINT, 1964 Kahn’s Wieners Pete Rose PSA 10 GEM MINT, 1968 Topps #110 Hank Aaron PSA 10 GEM MINT and 1968 Topps #50 Willie Mays PSA 10 GEM MINT.
There are no 1948 Bowman basketball or 1965 Topps football packs this time, but collectors will see several unopened items including 1952 and ’53 Topps baseball and 1957 Topps basketball.
In addition to the #1 ranked 1965 Topps set, which will be sold as a complete collection or as individual lots depending upon which yields the highest total and the #1 ranked 1991 Topps Desert Shield set, the auction includes the sixth best 1938 Goudey Heads Up set on PSA’s Registry, the second best 1952 Red Man Tobacco set, the seventh best 1948 Leaf Boxing set and the third rated 1951 Topps Ringside boxing set.
The full catalog can be viewed here.
The company will have another auction in May with consignments still being accepted. Call (303) 840-2784 or visit their website for information.