Classic 1950s Bowman, Topps baseball cards highlight May REA auction

For many collectors, there is no greater era for baseball cards than the 1950s, when Bowman produced its most popular sets and Topps emerged as a new brand on the trading card scene.

The 1951 Bowman set features such iconic cardboard as the rookie cards of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. A few years later, Topps produced rookie cards of such iconic stars as Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax.

The May Encore Auction at Robert Edward Auctions features some of the most iconic Bowman and Topps cards from the 1950s. The auction, which opened May 9 and runs through May 19, features more than 3,600 items, including several classic vintage cards of Hall of Famers from the 19^th century and early 1900s.

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The auction is highlighted by a 324-card complete set break of the 1951 Bowman series, with the Mantle and Mays rookie cards both graded PSA 5 and a Whitey Ford card graded PSA 8. The majority of the set grades are PSA 7 or 8.

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Also featured are Topps sets from 1954 and 1955, which are being offered individually in PSA 7 and 8 grades or better. The sets feature 1954 rookie cards of Aaron, Clemente, Banks, Koufax, Al Kaline and Tommy Lasorda, and a 1955 Harmon Killebrew rookie, all graded PSA 8.

Also featured are such classic cards as: a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder with a rare Uzit back; a rare Ty Cobb rookie from the 1907 Wolverine News Postcard series; and a 1910 E98 Anonymous “Set of 30” Honus Wagner graded PSA 8.

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Also highlighted are the six most iconic cards from the classic 1933 Goudey series: four Babe Ruth cards; and the low- and high-number Lou Gehrig cards. All six are graded by PSA, including the elusive #53 yellow background Ruth in a PSA VG-EX 4.

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“We’re very excited about the strength of this auction on the heels of our blockbuster spring sale,” REA President Brian Dwyer said. “There is tremendous quality within this auction, which is a testament to the collectors who have gathered these iconic cards and built these high-end sets.”

Other vintage baseball highlights include:

• 1957 Topps Complete Set (407) ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry (8.00 GPA).

• 1958 Topps Near-Complete Set (493/494), #13 on PSA Set Registry (8.00 GPA).

• 1959 Topps Complete Set (572), #29 PSA Set Registry (8.01 GPA)

• Circa 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson Portrait rookie card (SGC VG 3).

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• 1889 N172 Old Judge cards of King Kelly, Buck Ewing, Tim Keefe and a Clark Griffith rookie (all graded VG 3).

• 1909-1911 T206 White Border Ty Cobb Portrait Red Background Sweet Caporal 350/30 overprint (PSA VG-EX 4).

• 1909-1911 T206 White Border Walter Johnson Portrait Sovereign 350 Back (PSA EX 5).

• 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Portrait Piedmont 150 (PSA EX 5).

• 1918 Honus Wagner-signed check (PSA/DNA).

• 1954 Dan-Dee Potato Chips Mickey Mantle (PSA NM 7).

• 1967 Topps #581 Tom Seaver Rookie (PSA NM-MT 8). 

The auction is also packed with notable items across other sports, including:

• 1980-1981 Topps Basketball unopened wax box (36 packs; BBCE).

• 1982-83 O-Pee-Chee Hockey unopened wax box (48 packs, tape intact; BBCE)

• 1957 NFL Championship Game Detroit Lions vs. Cleveland Browns ticket stub.

• 1998 Topps Certified Autograph Football #A10 Peyton Manning Rookie Bronze (PSA GEM MINT 10).

• Jan. 1, 1920 Harvard football team Rose Bowl real photo postcard.