Robert Edward Auctions shook up the vintage card market with their March Encore sale, recording a flurry of record-breaking sales that left collectors and enthusiasts in awe. The highlight of the auction was the astonishing sale of a 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth card in a PSA EX-NM 6 condition, which fetched an incredible $32,400. This historic sale set the tone for what turned out to be a truly momentous auction event.
The excitement didn’t stop there as the auction also witnessed other remarkable sales that set new records in the vintage card realm. A 1911 E94 George Close Candy Ty Cobb in SGC POOR 1 condition and a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder in PSA EX 5 with a Tolstoi Back both achieved impressive sales, reaching $28,000 and $27,600 respectively. These results further solidified the auction’s status as a haven for rare and valuable vintage cards.
In total, the auction featured an extensive selection of over 3,300 lots, captivating bidders who eagerly competed across nearly 66,000 bids. The impressive turnout culminated in a staggering total of over $1.3 million in sales, highlighting the enduring allure of vintage cards among collectors.
Among the notable highlights were the sale of a 1976 Topps #500 Reggie Jackson in PSA GEM MINT 10 condition for $30,000, a 1980-1981 Topps Basketball Larry Bird/Magic Johnson Rookie in PSA MINT 9 condition for $25,200, and a 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie card in PSA VG+ 3.5 condition fetching $23,400. These sales underscored the diversity and depth of the offerings at the auction, appealing to a broad spectrum of collectors.
Further contributing to the auction’s success were sales like a 1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet Honus Wagner in PSA GOOD 2 (MK) condition and a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition, each commanding $14,400. These rare items added an element of exclusivity to the auction, drawing avid interest from seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.
The auction also saw the sale of unique and seldom-seen items, including an Extremely Rare 1921 Schapira Bros. Candy Babe Ruth box part and an 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter John Clarkson in PSA EX-MT 6 condition, which fetched $10,800 and $8,100 respectively, setting new benchmarks for their rarity and desirability.
Not to be outdone, additional records were set by a Billy Southworth Single-Signed Baseball, a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Portrait in PSA POOR 1 condition with a Brown Hindu Back selling for $7,500, and a 1934 R320 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig in SGC GOOD+ 2.5 condition fetching $5,280. These sales reflected the robust interest in unique and historical pieces within the vintage card market.
Brian Dwyer, the President of REA, expressed his satisfaction with the auction’s performance, citing it as a testament to the enduring strength of the vintage market. The resounding success of the March sale has set a positive tone for the upcoming Spring Catalog Auction, promising further excitement and outstanding offerings for vintage card enthusiasts worldwide. The legacy of these sales will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the vintage card collecting community, inspiring continued passion and fervor for these treasured pieces of sports history.
