Regardless of whether they'd been naughty or nice, hundreds of collectors gave themselves the gift of trading cards over the weekend as Heritage Auctions wrapped up its massive three-day Trading Card Auction. Among the over 3,000 lots offered, four sold for six-figure prices, topped by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded 8.5 by PSA which netted $765,000 including the 20% … [Read more...]
Notes: Ohtani and Acuna Cards; Big Bucks for Old Micks; Bobblepalooza; Rams, 49ers Jerseys to Help Fire Victims
Appropriate, maybe, since he was named Rookie of the Year about the same time, but the chase for the 1/1 2018 Bowman Chrome Ohtani Superfractor autograph ended on Monday when the card was pulled by a collector in southern California. Well, not the actual signed card. Unfortunately, it’s a redemption he’ll have to submit online but considering that the off-season … [Read more...]
Will the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Bubble Ever Burst?
The 1952 Topps set remains one of the most iconic baseball card issues of all time. Featuring a total of 407 cards, it wasn't quite as massive as the famous T206 or N172 Old Judge pre-war sets. However, it was among the largest issues of all-time when it was printed and includes one of the top cards in the hobby in the Mickey Mantle (No. 311). The cards were mass produced … [Read more...]
Original Card Photos of Brown, Mantle Headline Huggins & Scott Auction
A collection of contact proofs and original photos used for the creation of some well-known vintage cards, including Jim Brown’s 1958 Topps rookie and Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Bowman card are among the top items in Huggins & Scott’s Summer Premier Auction. The 4x5” Type 1 contact proof photo of Brown was taken during his 1957 rookie season in Cleveland Browns training … [Read more...]
PSA 10 1952 Mantle Going on Display in Colorado
One of the three 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards to earn a PSA 10 rating is going on display next month, but you won’t have a lot of time to see it. Long-time collector Marshall Fogel is loaning his copy to the History Colorado Center in Denver where it will be featured from July 16-18 as an addition to an exhibit of historic baseball memorabilia called Play Ball! A … [Read more...]
Kid’s 1985 Confirmation Gift: Minty 1952 Mantle
Even in 1985, it was considered the hobby’s greatest post-War trading card. Owning a nice copy was something the average collector contemplated but often couldn’t afford. One lucky kid’s father recognized the iconic stature of the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, though, and bought one for him as a confirmation gift. The $2,000 cost (about $4,300 in today’s … [Read more...]
Most Expensive Sports Memorabilia of 2015
From Mikan to Mantle and Ruth to Ali, some of the biggest names in sports history changed hands this year. With new bidders entering the hobby, some of whom are buying for investment and others for pure enjoyment, prices for sports icons and famous baseball cards continue to rise. A list of the most expensive sports memorabilia of 2015 includes at least ten items that sold … [Read more...]
Notes: Star-Trib on Berkus; Mantle Musings; Love to UD; Awful Autograph Story
When dealers at the 1994 National Sports Collectors complained angrily about an unexpected overflow crowd being kept out of the show, director Mike Berkus was ready to turn the tables. "You think you had a bad day. Let me tell you about my day,” he told them of his day-long duel with the fire marshal. Berkus, who died of brain cancer last month at age 69, had a way of … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Iconic Cards Share Key Elements
In light of the skyrocketing prices attained for 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards lately, I’ve seen a few collectors start referring to it again as “the post-War Honus Wagner”. They’re right, for the most part. Mantles aren’t tumbling out of long-lost collections on a regular basis but they’re far more readily available than T206 Wagners. Hop on eBay any day and you might find … [Read more...]
Rare T206 Doyle Brings $312,000 in REA Fall Auction
Robert Edward Auctions' third annual Fall Auction ended early Sunday morning with total sales exceeding $3.6 million. A total of 1360 lots were won by 522 different bidders. Forty-nine items realized more than $10,000, led by one the finest examples of the legendary T206 Joe Doyle "NY Nat'l" variation ($312,000) and a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded BVG NM-MT 8 … [Read more...]