Collecting 101
High-grade greats crossing auction block Oct. 1
RUNNEMEDE, N.J. – As sale prices for vintage high-grade trading cards continue to set records, Goldin Auctions presents The Great American Trading Card Auction. The online auction features 50 of the hobby's most sought-after high-value trading cards.
'Jumbo Wagner' Making Appearance
Headlining the auction is the famed 1909-11 T206 White Border Honus Wagner PSA EX 5 (MC). It is commonly referred to as the "Jumbo Wagner." The card is expected to become the first trading card to ever sell for more than $3 million. This would eclipse the sale of Babe Ruth's 1920 game worn jersey, which sold for $4.4 million in 2012. In turn it would become the highest priced piece of sports memorabilia ever sold. Bidding is open through October 1.
The "Jumbo Wagner" was most recently offered for public sale by Goldin Auctions in April 2013. It fetched $2.1 million during that sale — the highest price ever paid for a trading card at auction. It's been more than 15 years since any of the other high-grade Wagners were sold in a public sale. As a result, industry experts believe the timing is right for yet another record. Not only the highest public trading card sale, but potentially the most valuable item of sports memorabilia ever sold.
The auction also includes six cards awarded a PSA 10 GEM MT rating. Five of the cards are designated as 1 of 1's and four cards recognized as 1 of 2. Fourteen of the cards are estimated to sell for more than $100,000 with nine expected to surpass $200,000.
Other rare, high-grade cards being offered include:
Lot #29: 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card PSA MINT 9. One of just 10 cards at this grade, with only one higher from the 4,075 graded by PSA (estimate $500,000+).
Lot 28: 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie Card PSA MINT 9. One of 22 examples at this tier from the nearly 4,000 graded by PSA ($350,000+).
Lot 26: 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card PSA NM +7.5. One of just 45 examples to achieve this grade from the 1,375 graded by PSA ($300,000+).
Lot 44: 1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan Rookie Card SGC 98 GEM 10 "1 of 2". One of just
two examples to reach this tier from more than 1,400 graded by SGC ($250,000+).
Lot 19: 1949 Bowman #226 Duke Snider Rookie Card PSA GEM MT 10 "1 of 1". It's the highest graded example from more than 600 graded by PSA ($250,000+).
Lot 50: 2003-04 Upper Deck LeBron James 1/1 Ultimate Logos Autographed Logoman Rookie PSA MINT 9. The most valuable and coveted James card, and with just one produced, it will forever be a one-of-a-kind ($200,000+).
Lot 20: 1949 Bowman #84 Roy Campanella Rookie Card PSA GEM MT 10 "1 of 2". One of just two examples to receive a perfect grade from PSA ($200,000+).
Lot 48: 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson Rookie Card PSA GEM MT 10. With more than 15,750 examples submitted for grading, this is one of just 17 to receive a perfect grade from PSA ($35,000+).
Lot 47: 1980 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card PSA MINT 9 – With the only PSA GEM MT 10 version of this card recently selling for $465,000, the sky is the limit on this card ($30,000+).
Recent Auction Results Set Stage
A few examples of recent sales in which high-grade trading cards reached stratospheric levels include: in April 2013, the highest price realized for a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card (PSA NM-MT 8) was just under $80,000. In 2015, a comparable '52 Mantle sold for $525,000. During nearly the same time-frame, a '52 Topps #261 Mays PSA 9 garnered $26,500. This year, the same card realized $478,000. Additionally, a 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth (PSA 5) which sold for $49,500 in 2013, most recently garnered $191,200.
To preserve the integrity of the auction and protect all bidders and the consignor, bidding on Lot #1 – the "Jumbo Wagner" – requires pre-approval. All interested bidders must contact Goldin Auctions in advance for pre-approval.
For more information about The Great American Trading Card Auction, visit www.GoldinAuctions.com or contact Goldin Auctions at info@goldinauctions.com or call 856-767-8550.
