1960 and 1970s High-Grade Cards on Parade at Memory Lane

Some of the best 1960s and '70s baseball cards in existence will be available beginning April 26 when Memory Lane opens its Spring Catalog Auction. More than 500 cards, all rated PSA 9 and 10, and featuring some of the best known rookies, Hall of Famers, high numbers and scarcities will be on the block, including many never previously offered.

The auction opens April 26 with catalogs scheduled to arrive in collectors’ mailboxes this week.

The catalog will feature a veritable who’s who among cards from the era including key rookies like a PSA 10 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt, classics of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron, all rated Mint or Gem Mint, and pristine Hall of Famers like a 1964 Topps PSA 10 Sandy Koufax.

The fourth best 1963 Topps Baseball complete set on PSA’s Set Registry has been consigned to the auction as well as a high grade 1967 Topps Baseball set and a remarkable 1960 Fleer Baseball Greats set, with every card rated a 9 or 10.

Leading off the sale, however, are two of the most important postwar rookie cards from an earlier time: A PSA 8 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle and a 1951 Bowman PSA 8 Willie Mays. A PSA 8.5 1953 Topps Mantle should also draw a crowd of bidders and a ’53 Mays graded 8 is also up for grabs.

Jackie Robinson’s career is chronicled in cardboard within the catalog as the sale features eight of Jackie’s most popular cards including his Leaf and Bowman rookies, a PSA 8 1952 Topps card from the scarce high number series, 1950 Bowman and 1953-56 Topps cards, all in high grade.

Prewar collectors will find some of the hobby’s most desirable cardboard including a 1910-11 Turkey Red Ty Cobb graded EX, a 1909 Ramly Walter Johnson (PSA 2.5), along with a NM/MT 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig, three different 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards and a T206 Cy Young graded PSA 7.

Basketball collectors will have some unique items to chase in this auction as Memory Lane presents two genuine NBA championship rings from the Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls: One from the 1993 team and the other from the legendary 72-10 1996 Bulls squad that launched a run of three straight titles. The rings belonged to Tom Dore, a former player who was a member of the Bulls’ broadcast team.

Dating from Jordan’s college days is a 1981-82 University of North Carolina Tarheels autographed basketball. The NCAA champs’ roster including a young Jordan along with James Worthy and other members of the team. The ball was signed immediately upon the Heels’ return to Chapel Hill that season.

Autographed card collectors will appreciate the completely signed 1986-87 Fleer basketball set. The 132-card group includes 25 Hall of Famers, 10 of whom appear on a card for the first time. Ten players who signed cards are now deceased.

Unopened vintage boxes are among the hobby’s hottest properties and Memory Lane has quite a lineup in this event including a group of five 1975 Topps mini wax boxes, seven 1976 Topps vending boxes, a full vending case of 1977 Topps baseball, a 1979 Topps sealed rack pack case, eight 1979 Topps vending boxes and four 1978 Topps cello boxes.

Memorabilia in the auction includes two Roberto Clemente items – a signed baseball and a large black and white photo of the Hall of Famer.

Bidding will conclude May 10. To receive a free catalog or to register for the auction, visit Memory Lane’s website or call (877) 606-5263.