Some of the hobby’s most recognizable sports cards, including what could well be the best PSA 8 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie in existence, go on the auction block Monday as Mile High Card Company opens its 2017 Spring Auction.
The 700-lot event offers a parade of valuable and rare cards and memorabilia, some of which haven’t been on the market in a long time.
In addition to the Mantle rookie–and another mid-grade example of the same card– the auction will also include a BVG 8 1952 Topps Mantle, a second’52 Mantle rated SGC 60 (EX) and two other key rookie cards from the ’51 Bowman set: PSA 8 rookie cards of Willie Mays and Whitey Ford.
Collectors will also find a near mint copy of the ultra-scarce 1948-49 Leaf Satchel Paige, a 1909-11 T206 Sweet Caporal 350/30 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder PSA 8, a 1909 T204 Ramly Walter Johnson SGC 82 EX/MT+ 6.5, 1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth PSA 8, a 1925-31 Walter Johnson Louisville Slugger game bat (GU 8) and a Babe Ruth single-signed baseball.
“There are about 15 items that could have been the auction headliner at any other time, including a few pieces that are unquestionably museum quality” said MHCC President Brian Drent.
The 1951 Bowman Mantle was recently graded and Drent strongly disagrees with the assigned NM/MT rating, stating it “compares aesthetically with any mint example in existence.” The company’s catalog description expresses a belief that the card “should have been assessed at minimum a half grade or more in advance of its offered state.” The lot title labels it “the finest 8 in the hobby.” Bidding will open Monday at $35,000.
The auction also includes a 1935 Zeenut Joe DiMaggio (throwing version) complete with coupon graded PSA 2 MK, a 1939 Play Ball #92 Ted Williams PSA 8, a 1956 Topps Mantle (gray back) PSA 9, a 1960 Topps #350 Mantle PSA 9, 1968 Topps Johnny Bench Rookie PSA 10, 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan PSA 10 and a 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky PSA 9.
Other notable cards include
- 1909 T206 John McGraw Finger in Air SGC 88
- 1909-11 T206 Piedmont 350/25 Addie Joss Portrait PSA 8
- 1910 E98 Frank Chance SGC 92
- 1915 Cracker Jack #66 Nap Lajoie PSA 8
- 1916 H801-9 The Globe #182 Hans Wagner PSA 7
- 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Blank Back #86 Joe Jackson SGC 80
- 1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth SGC 80
- 1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson PSA 6
- 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle rookie PSA 5
- 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays rookie SGC 80
- 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays SGC 84
- 1956 Topps #135 Mickey Mantle PSA 8.5
- 1960 Topps #326 Roberto Clemente PSA 9
- 1960 Topps #350 Mickey Mantle PSA 9
- 1961 Topps #300 Mickey Mantle PSA 9
- 1962 Topps #387 Lou Brock Star Rookie PSA 9
- 1966 Topps #50 Mickey Mantle PSA 9
- 1967 Topps #355 Carl Yastrzemski PSA 10
- 1967 Topps #581 Tom Seaver PSA 9 Autographed PSA/DNA 9
- 1968 Topps 3-D Boog Powell (stamped reverse) PSA 9 MINT
- 1969 Topps #500 Mickey Mantle PSA 9
- 1957 Topps #138 John Unitas rookie PSA 8
- 1959 Topps #140 Bobby Mitchell PSA 10 GEM MINT and 1958 Topps #66 Bobby Hull PSA 7 NM.
The Walter Johnson bat heads up a section that also includes a Rogers Hornsby game bat rated PSA/DNA GU 8, a Babe Ruth single signed baseball, a rare 1900 Paris Summer Olympic Games gold medal for automobile racing made of 22K solid gold, and a rare 1901 Hans Wagner cigar box.
Hockey card collectors will also see quite a run of uncut sheets from the 1960s-1980s, including a 1964 Topps proof sheet with numerous Hall of Famers and a 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee complete set on uncut sheets with a clean copy of Wayne Gretzky’s rookie card.
The auction includes 50 sets and near sets, many of which are among the hobby’s best including a 1923-24 V145-1 William Paterson set, the number two current finest on PSA’s Set Registry. The top-ranked 1921 Schapira Brothers Babe Ruth set will also be up for grabs as well as a 1953 Topps near set (272/274) with a 6.35 rating.
Mile High’s next auction will take place in May and consignments are being accepted. Call (303) 840-2784, visit www.milehighcardco.com. or bring your items to the company’s booth at the Philly Show March 3rd-March 5th or the Fanatics Authentic Sports Spectacular in Chicago March 17th-March 19th.
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Mickey Mantle’s Signed Rookie Card Contract Coming to Auction
High Grade Mickey Mantle Cards: How They Stack Up
Signed 1951, ’52 Mantle Cards Coming to Auction
Notes: Wagner, Vintage Wax Update; NM Mantle RC Sale
Notes: Mantle Rookie Sales; Baseball Artist at Work; Topps ‘Cards’ in Braves’ New Park; Heritage Museum
Satchel Paige Rookie Card Cracks Six Figures at MHCC Auction
Mantle Cards Crush Records in MLI Auction
45 Years Ago Marked End of the Line for Mickey Mantle
