Five cards from the earliest days of the careers of some baseball greats sold for six-figure prices as Heritage Auctions wrapped up its Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction.
Several hundred cards from a variety of sports were offered in the auction, many of which were among the finest graded examples. In all, the auction generated more than $5 million.
The highest prices went to a 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente graded PSA 9 which reached $264,000 and a PSA 7.5 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, which netted $204,000. The Mantle was one of several from a recent find. a PSA EX 5 example from the same collection commanded $72,000.
“For those wondering if Topps’ first great issue might be losing steam in its long pricing ascent, this auction clearly puts the concern to rest,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions for Heritage. “We’re thrilled to have more 1952 Mantles from that amazing recent find appearing at auction in the coming months.”
One of just two SGC 98 (gem mint) 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie cards sold for $120,000 while one of just two PSA 10 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella cards reached $108,000. The last 10 sold in 2012 for $44,427.
The auction included a rare 1915 Boston Red Sox real photo postcard dating from Babe Ruth’s first full season. One of only nine ever authenticated by PSA and rated 3.5, it sold for $108,000.
The finest known example of the 1960 Hemmets Journal Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), a PSA 10, soared to $90,000, the same plateau reached by a 1955 Topps PSA 9 Sandy Koufax rookie.
A quartet of key unopened lots were sold including a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite basketball case that was home to valuable rookie cards of LeBron James ($66,000), a sealed box of 1979-80 OPC Hockey from Wayne Gretzky’s rookie season ($55,200), a 1986-87 Fleer basketball wax box (Jordan rookies–$50,400) and a 1952 Topps PSA 7 unopened pack ($48,000).
A 1916 M101-4 Ruth rookie graded PSA 3 reached $50,400 while a PSA 10 1968 Topps Mickey Mantle closed at $43,200.
All prices include a 20% buyer’s premium.
Complete results can be found here.
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