Mikan Rookie Card Sets Record at $403,664 in SCP Auctions Sale

A one-of-a-kind basketball rookie card of late Minneapolis Lakers Hall of Fame center George Mikan sold for $403,664 to record the highest bid in SCP Auctions’ 2015 Fall Premier online auction.

The impeccably preserved 1948 card (#69) from the lone Bowman Basketball card set ever produced is the only one of its kind to ever receive a grade of “Gem Mint 10” from PSA . The card previously sold in 2009 for $225,000, but this auction nearly doubled its previous world record price. The entire auction of more than 1,000 sports memorabilia lots brought in more than $4 million.

“It’s great to see that a card of Mikan, a player who redefined his sport, is now redefining the vintage basketball card market,” said SCP Auctions Vice President Dan Imler.

Other top lots included a rare 1969 Ernie Banks game-worn Cubs road jersey from a season in which “Mr. Cub” clubbed 23 home runs that sold for $161,484; a 1970 Gem Mint 10 Topps Basketball rookie card (#123) of Pete Maravich that went for $130,053; and a circa 1929, dual-signed baseball autographed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig captured $110,110.

The prestigious Jeff Figler Collection was led by the sale of a complete set of 1952 Topps Baseball cards that went for $75,205, while the E. Lisk Wyckoff Collection celebrating the history of the New York Yankees was led by the $27,584 sale of a Don Larsen signed and inscribed game-used baseball from his Game 5 perfect game in the 1956 World Series. The Jo Jo White Basketball Collection, meanwhile, brought in $104,029, led by the sale of his 2008 Boston Celtics NBA Championship ring for $53,758.

Other highlights from the auction included:
· 1980-81 Wayne Gretzky Edmonton Oilers Game Worn Road Jersey - $100,266
· An Oversized, Framed Babe Ruth Signed and Inscribed Photo from Dec. 25, 1927 - $82,863
· One-of-a-Kind 1957-58 Topps Basketball Complete Set Uncut Sheet - $82,726
· Thurman Munson’s 1979 Final Season New York Yankees Game Worn Home Uniform - $75,205
· Carl Shy’s 1936 Gold Medal as a Member of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team - $66,632.

All prices include a buyer’s premium. Full auction results are available at www.scpauctions.com.