Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson cards top $9.3M Heritage Summer Auction

MLB legends Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Jackie Robinson were three of the most iconic and important players in the history of the game, each defining an era and each leaving an indelible mark on the game.

All three have also left their marks on the sports collectibles hobby, and led the way in the $9.3 million Summer Sports Card Catalog Auction at Heritage Auctions.

The auction was led by a rare Babe Ruth card from his early years as a Boston Red Sox pitcher. The 1917 E135 Collins-McCarthy Babe Ruth #147 SGC EX 5 sold for $244,000.

“This incredible early and important Babe Ruth card set a new record price for the grade,” said Chris Ivy, Heritage’s Director of Sports Auctions. “This auction exhibited strong results across all categories and genres, including both vintage and modern cards in both high grade and low grade, as well as singles, sets and wax.”

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Robinson’s 1956 Topps Jackie Robinson (Gray Back) #30 PSA Mint 9 also topped six figures, selling for $170,800. DiMaggio’s 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #71 PSA NM-MT 8 also topped six figures with a winning bid of $109,800.

A complete set of 1964 Topps Baseball PSA Graded Complete Master Set (589), including six PSA 10 cards, also attracted a big price of $237,900.

Another complete set—1971 Topps Baseball (2nd Series) Wax Box - With 24 Unopened Packs—drew 31 bids on its way to $118,950.

Other baseball gems that attracted six-figure sales includes a 1917 E135 Collins-McCarthy Joe Jackson (Blank Back) #82 SGC EX 5 and a 1933 Goudey Baseball Complete Set (239), both selling for $103,700.

Thanks to Michael Jordan, the auction also featured a variety of basketball cards. More than 50 Jordan cards were sold, including a Signed 1985 Nike Promo Michael Jordan Card #2, BAS Auto 9 that sold for $103,700 and a 1997 Upper Deck SPx Michael Jordan (Grand Finale) #6 BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 #14/50 that brought $82,350.

Other top sales include:

• 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente Rookie #164 PSA NM-MT 8: $88,450

• 1998 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. (A Piece of the Action-Material Autographed) #KGS SGC NM/MT 8, Auto 10 - #’d 8/24: $82,350

• 1967 Topps Wacky Packs Wax Box With 24 Unopened Packs: $79,300 (auction record)

• 1953 Bowman Color Yogi Berra #121 PSA Mint 9 that is tied for the highest-graded example: $54,900 (auction record)

• The second-highest-graded 1956 Topps Sandy Koufax (Gray Back) #79 PSA Mint 9: $51,240

• 1956 Topps Roy Campanella (Gray Back) #101 PSA Mint 9 that is tied for the highest grade: $29,280 (auction record)

• The highest-graded 1956 Topps Carl Furillo #190 PSA Gem Mint 10: auction record $25,620.