Auctions
Iconic Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle cards star in $16 million REA auction
A few days after MLB celebrated Jackie Robinson Day, the baseball icon proved he is still highly coveted by baseball fans and sports collectors.
A 1953 Topps Jackie Robinson card topped REA’s Spring Catalog Auction, with the PSA 9 gem selling for $405,900.
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Robinson played a big role in the $16 million auction, which featured more than 3,200 lots and set numerous records. The event also included a full 13-card PSA-graded set of Bond Bread Jackie Robinson cards, which combined to realize $381,300, led by a circa 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson Portrait rookie card (PSA 6.5) for a record $56,580.
There were also two examples of Robinson’s iconic 1948 Leaf rookie—a PSA 6 and PSA 4 (MBA Gold Diamond). Both set records for their respective grades, each selling for $83,025.
Another baseball icon that followed in Robinson’s footsteps also produced a big sale, with a 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie (PSA 8.5) selling for a record $270,600.
Another 1950s superstar also weighed in with a 1952 Topps PSA-graded complete set featuring a PSA 4 example of the iconic 1952 Mickey Mantle card selling for $282,900.
Two other 1952 Topps Mantle cards also sold for six figures, with a SGC 5 selling for $178,350 and a SGC VG/EX 4 going for $141,450, a record for the SGC grade. Two more ’52 Mantles also attracted big sales, with a SGC VG 3 selling for a record $98,400 and a PSA FAIR 1.5 going for a record $89,175.
“This event was absolutely loaded from top to bottom, and the record-setting results signaled tremendous activity from all corners of the hobby,” REA President Brian Dwyer said. “We continue to see record participation, which is exciting and promising as we look forward to our upcoming auctions and the National this summer.”
Among modern cards, three basketball legends led the way, with a 2004-2005 Upper Deck SP Signature Triple Authentic Signatures Basketball #AS3-JBJ Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant/LeBron James card (#12/25, PSA 5) selling for a record $258,300.
Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani also make a big splash with a 2018 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions Exquisite Rookie Autograph #09T-SO Shohei Ohtani card (#2/99, PSA 7) with a GEM 10 Kanji signature setting a record at $239,850.
Other top results included a newly discovered 1922 Olsen Games Co. Babe Ruth card (PSA 5.5) selling for $159,900. The rare card was previously only known from an advertisement on the instruction booklet of a popular baseball card game. The PSA 5.5 example is one of only two examples known to exist, with the second set to headline REA’s Summer Catalog Auction in July.
The auction also featured rare unopened material that performed well, including: a 1960 Topps cello box with 16 Fourth Series (Mickey Mantle) packs for $227,550; a 1967 Topps unopened wax box for $233,700; and a 1971 Topps Football First Series cello box for $116,850.
Other notable sales include:
• 1864 Brooklyn Resolutes CDV including Henry Chadwick and Mort Rogers for $83,025.
• 1963 Topps #537 Pete Rose Rookie (PSA 9) for $141,450.
• 1915 E145 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb (PSA 7) for a record $123,000.
• 1956 Topps #31 Hank Aaron White Back (PSA 9) for a record $119,925.
• 1911 M110 Sporting Life Cabinet Christy Mathewson (SGC EX 60) for a record $98,400.
• 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth (PSA EX 5, MBA Gold Diamond) for a record $95,325.
• 1910 E90-2 American Caramel Honus Wagner (SGC VG 3) for a record $83,025.
• 1954 Johnston Cookies #5 Hank Aaron Rookie (PSA 9) for a record $52,890.
REA’s May Auction opens May 7.
