Memory Lane kicked off the year with a bang, hosting a Winter Rarities Auction that set the sports memorabilia world on fire. The event, boasting a staggering $7.1 million in total sales, showcased a myriad of coveted vintage sports cards and memorabilia.
Babe Ruth stole the spotlight at the auction, proving once again why he remains an icon in the world of sports collectibles. Three 1933 Goudey cards featuring the Bambino, all graded PSA NM/MT 8, fetched a combined total of nearly $700,000. The star of the show was the #149 card with a striking red background, commanding an impressive $316,736. A rare advertising card from the early 1920s, showcasing Ruth alongside Carl Mays and graded SGC 3, stirred up a bidding frenzy before ultimately selling for $95,860. Other Ruth gems included a 1921 E253 Oxford Confectionery card graded PSA 5, selling for $52,102, and a 1932 U.S. Caramel card graded PSA 6.5, which brought in $48,508.
Not to be outdone, a 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, graded PSA 7, shattered records by fetching $173,794 at the auction, part of a set break that collectively exceeded $850,000 in sales.
The 1952 Topps cards were also a hit, with three PSA 8 graded cards reaching six figures. An Eddie Mathews high-number card led the pack, raking in $123,484, while Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays cards also commanded significant bids.
Mickey Mantle’s presence was felt strongly, with collectors showing keen interest in his cards. A rare 1959 Bazooka card graded PSA 6 sold for $33,586, while a complete 1959 Bazooka box showcasing Mantle on the back, graded PSA 1, secured $18,575. A quartet of PSA 10 Bazooka Mantle cards from 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1966 collectively amassed close to $50,000. Other prized Mantle cards included the 1953 Topps PSA 7 NM at $29,012, the 1956 Topps Gray Back PSA 8.5 at $38,879, and the 1966 O-Pee-Chee Mantle SGC 9 at $16,886.
Baseball enthusiasts were thrilled with the sale of the 1957 Topps Willie Mays PSA 9 for $58,961 and the 1957 Topps Whitey Ford PSA 10 for $56,153. Hockey collectors also had their moment with the 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie card, graded PSA 10, fetching $72,455. Football cards made their mark too, with notable sales including the 1964 Topps Bobby Bell rookie PSA 10 at $31,558, the 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen rookie PSA 10 at $19,018, and the 1973 Topps Art Shell rookie PSA 10 at $20,432.
The auction wasn’t just about cards, as rare memorabilia found eager buyers. Highlights included a Ty Cobb Tobacco tin from the 1910s at $30,463, a Mickey Mantle single-signed baseball with a rare “#6” inscription at $20,934, a handwritten letter from Mantle’s 1951 rookie season also at $20,934, and a Joe Jackson Louisville Slugger decal bat from the early 1900s going for $16,121.
With record-breaking sales and remarkable items up for grabs, Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction proved to be a roaring success, setting the bar high for the year ahead. Collectors worldwide eagerly anticipate the next opportunity to own a piece of sporting history.
