Rare 1933 Goudey Lajoie tops $20,000 in Superior’s

A 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie card (No. 106), graded SGC 60, sold for $20,125 to pace Superior Sports Auctions' December to Remember Sale. Superior officials noted that few 1933 Goudey Lajoie cards are available in the market in this high of grade, so it's no surprise this card easily outdistanced all other single cards in terms of final sale prices for this sale.

Cards were the dominant items in this auction and three other lots broke the $10,000 sales mark. A 1933 partial Goudey set, missing only the Lajoie card and card No. 149 of Babe Ruth brought in $18,975. More than half the cards in the set were graded SGC 50 or better.

A T-205 gold bordered set with an average grade of VG, closed at $11,213, while a partial T-205 gold bordered set (missing three cards), was close behind at $10,925.

Mickey Mantle's popularity was evident in the auction, as well, as two of his cards were among the other top sellers. A 1953 Topps Mantle card (No. 82), graded SCG 92, sold for $8,913, while a 1969 Topps Mantle card (No. 500) with the rare white-letter variation, graded GAI 8.5, sold for $6,268.

The top-selling piece of memorabilia in the sale was a copy of the sheet music for the song "I Can't get to First Base With You," which sold for $3,220. The 1935 sheet music shows Lou Gehrig and was also signed by the Yankees legend. The signature was graded PSA/DNA-10.

Superior Sports' next auction will take place March 23. For more information, visit the website at www.superiorsports.com or call (231) 922-9862.