Auctions
Sandy Koufax rookie card shatters record in Memory Lane auction
Sandy Koufax was one of the most dominant pitchers in World Series history, posting a 4-3 record with a 0.95 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 57 inning across eight postseason appearances.
The Hall of Fame left-hander has also emerged as a major player in the sports card hobby.
A 1955 Topps Koufax rookie card graded PSA 9 sold for a record $604,736 to lead Memory Lane’s Summer Rarities Auction, which totaled over $7.5 million in sales. The sale shattered the previous record for a public sale of $396,000 in 2022.
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The Koufax sale was one of several records set in the auction, which featured rare cards and collectibles from pre-war baseball across all sports categories.
Another record sale included a 1971 Topps #630 Roberto Clemente (PSA 9) that sold for $170,579.
Two other pre-ward baseball gems also pulled in six-figure sales: a hand-cut 1923 W515-1 #47 Babe Ruth card (PSA 10) sold for $137,582; and blank-back 1916 M101-4 Sporting News #87 Joe Jackson (PSA 7) sold for $134,579.
Other notable baseball sales include: $108,665 for a 1938 Goudey Heads Up #274 Joe DiMaggio PSA 8; $68,256 for a 1939 Play Ball #92 Ted Williams rookie (SGC 8.5); and $39,832 for a 1934 Goudey #1 Jimmie Foxx PSA 8.
Two late-1880s cards also drew substantial bids: an 1888 N28 Allen & Ginter Cap Anson card (PSA 8) realized $53,479, while an 1888 N162 Goodwin Champions Beecher SGC 1 sold for $19,031. A 1933 Goudey #160 Lou Gehrig (SGC 3) brought $20,011.
Among early memorabilia was a 1916 Ferguson Bakery collection containing 95 of the set’s 97 felt pennants, which sold for $46,198. The Joe Jackson and Honus Wagner pennants were offered separately with the Jackson flag bringing $14,682.
Iconic postwar cards also produced big sales, including: a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle (PSA 7) for $125,794; a 1951 Bowman #305 Willie Mays rookie (PSA 7) for $105,888; and a 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron rookie (PSA 8) for $66,496. A 1950 Bowman #22 Jackie Robinson (PSA 8) set a record at $68,256.
Other record results included two 1950 Bowman cards: a Bob Feller (PSA 9) for $20,188; and a 1950 Bowman Ralph Kiner (PSA 9) for $24,427.
Other postwar baseball results include: $56,153 for a 1959 Topps #10 Mantle (PSA 8.5); $37,027 for a 1963 Topps #390 Hank Aaron (PSA 9); $31,613 for a 1964 Topps #440 Clemente (PSA 9); and $21,494 for a 1954 Topps #201 Al Kaline rookie PSA 8.5.
Gem-mint cards from the 1970s included: a 1975 Topps Mini #223 Robin Yount rookie for $43,998; 1972 Topps #695 Rod Carew for $22,054; and a 1972 Topps #447 Willie Stargell for a record $15,035. A BBCE-authenticated 1959 Fleer Ted Williams baseball wax box sold for $39,907.
Rare basketball card sales were led by a signed 1986 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan rookie (PSA 5, auto 7) for $146,579. A factory-sealed 1984 Star Chicago Bulls team bag from Jordan’s rookie season also sold for a record $134,579.
For more auction results, please visit memorylaneinc.com.
