1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays cards, vintage gems highlight REA October auction

The highly coveted 1952 Topps Baseball set has produced some of the most iconic cards in the hobby, and collectors continue to pay top dollar to add such gems to their collection.

Robert Edward Auctions has examples of the two most iconic cards in the set up for bid in its October Encore Auction.

The auction, which features more than 3,700 items, opened Oct. 10 and runs through Oct. 20.

The auction is headlined by two 1952 gems: A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311; and a signed 1952 Topps Willie Mays #261.

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The Mantle card, which holds the sports card record with a sale of $12.6 million (SGC 9.5) in 2022, is graded PSA VG+ 3.5. The Mays card is graded PSA POOR 1 with a GEM MINT 10 autograph.

Another big highlight includes a newly discovered 1915 E145 Cracker Jack #68 Honus Wagner card graded PSA GOOD 2.

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“We have a great deal of diversity in this event, with a wide range of material spanning different sports and eras on which collectors can bid,” REA President Brian Dwyer said. “There really may be something for everyone in this auction, with Old Judge to Aaron Judge and almost everything in between.”

The auction features several high-grade vintage and modern cards, including: a 1979-1980 Topps Wayne Gretzky Rookie (PSA 8); 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan Rookie (PSA 7.5); and a 2017 Topps Stadium Club Autographs Aaron Judge Rookie Gold Rainbow #1/1 (PSA 8).

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Other mid-grade rookie card classics include: a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays Rookie (PSA 5); 1958 Topps Jim Brown Rookie (PSA 5); and a 1961-62 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain Rookie (PSA 4).

Other notable items up for bid include:

• 1909-1911 T206 White Border Sherry Magie Error (PSA POOR 1).

• 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente Rookie (PSA 7).

• 1911 T205 Gold Border Ty Cobb (PSA GOOD+ 2.5).

• 1934 R320 Goudey #37 Lou Gehrig (PSA VG 3).

• 1938 R323 Goudey “Heads-Up” #250 Joe DiMaggio (PSA GOOD 2).

• 1941 R336 Play Ball #71 Joe DiMaggio (SGC VG/EX 50).

• 1954 Topps #10 Jackie Robinson (PSA NM 7).

• 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird/Julius Erving/Magic Johnson Rookie (PSA 7).

• 1981 Topps Football Unopened Wax Box (36 Packs) (BBCE), featuring a Joe Montana rookie card.

• Shohei Ohtani signed Mixed-Media Art Baseball (MLB and Fanatics). An official 2023 World Baseball Classic baseball signed by Ohtani. 

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