REA Auction Opens; Bidding Frenzy Ensues

Robert Edward Auctions’ first of  three sales in 2019 kicked off with a whirlwind of activity in the opening 24 hours. More than 10,000 bids were placed by a record-number of first-day bidders, according to the company. In total, more than $3 million in bids were placed on opening day. 

 

Featuring more than 2,800 lots, the auction includes popular and rare cards from all eras, high-end game-used memorabilia, and some new discoveries that are being offered to the hobby for the first time. Included in the latter category is the Dan Collins T206 Rare Back Collection, a near-complete T206 set marked by the inclusion of hundreds of rare advertising backs, many of them the highest-graded examples. 

 

Collectors who appreciate the bubble gum card era are getting a chance to bid on a never before offered 1977 Topps Reggie Jackson Orioles color-process-proof set. The set of nine represents a different stage in the printing process of a Jackson card that was never released due to his off-season free agent signing with the New York Yankees and subsequent airbrushing of the O’s uniform.  

 

Another  item drawing strong interest from collectors is a fresh to market PSA 2 1916 Babe Ruth rookie, which had soared to $60,000 by late Thursday.  The top spot thus far belongs to a PSA 7 1952 Topps Mantle which stood at $85,000. 

 

A 1918-1922 Ruth game model bat graded GU9 leads off the game-used portion of the auction and carries a pre-sale estimate of $100,000 but appears on pace to well exceed that figure.  The auction also includes a 1960 Roger Maris New York Yankees jersey, and high-grade jerseys from Pete Rose, Brooks Robinson, Orlando Cepeda, Daffy Dean, and others. Some high-end autographs make an appearance, including a NM+ 7.5 Babe Ruth single-signed baseball, a baseball signed by both Ruth and Hank Aaron, a signed 1933 Goudey Ruth, and a newly-discovered Ruth/Lou Gehrig baseball rescued from a drawer.

 

Two of the hobby’s hottest segments give collectors plenty to fight over, with Type 1 original photography and unopened material presented in droves. The original photograph used for Josh Gibson’s Toleteros rookie card along with a Charles Conlon photo of Joe Jackson are both expected to sell for more than $50,000 each when the dust settles.

 

The market for vintage unopened material shows no sign of slowing and the REA sale includes several that are up for auction for the first time.  Boxes of 1970 Topps football (Series 1) and 1973-74 Topps basketball are pushing five figures already with a rare 1962 Topps Baseball Bucks box not far behind.  Several other 1970s baseball, basketball, and hockey boxes are also ready to head for new homes.

 

This March auction marks REA’s first foray into a three-auction-per-year schedule. Long known for a single annual auction, the company has had to increase its offerings to keep up with customer demand.

 

“We continue to be amazed at the quality of material that is coming in for auction, and we are always thankful that consignors have entrusted us with their important items,” said company president Brian Dwyer. 

 

Dwyer says REA is already working on its new Summer Auction to be held in late July and is offering special early consignor incentives for items received prior to the end of the Spring Auction, including invoice offset programs, cash advances, free grading and authentication, and more.

 

To check out the current auction, register to bid, request a free catalog  or to discuss consignments, you can visit the company’s website.