Willie Mays, the legendary baseball icon, hit another home run in the world of sports memorabilia as his 1951 Bowman rookie card made headlines by selling for an astounding $390,935 at the recent Robert Edward Auctions’ Summer Catalog Auction. This sky-high figure smashed previous records and left collectors and enthusiasts in awe of this rare cardboard gem.
Considered the highest-graded specimen to grace the auction block in over 15 years, the bidding frenzy around this iconic card was nothing short of electrifying. With only eight PSA 9 examples and no PSA 10 Mays rookie cards known to exist, it’s no surprise that the competition was fierce, with eleven determined bidders vying for a chance to own this piece of baseball history.
Just to put things into perspective, a PSA 8 version of the same Willie Mays rookie card had previously commanded a price tag of $207,400 in a separate auction at Goldin. Clearly, Mays’ rookie cards are on fire, with prices soaring higher than a pop fly at a summer baseball game.
But the excitement doesn’t end with the jaw-dropping sale price—proceeds from the auction will be directed towards funding a college scholarship endowment. In a heartwarming twist, this record-breaking sale is not just about making history in the world of collectibles but also about creating opportunities for the future generation. A true win-win situation for all involved!
The Summer Catalog Auction was a grand slam success in its own right, raking in a staggering $13.3 million from a remarkable 82,000 bids on nearly 3,200 lots. Thirteen items crossed the six-figure mark, including a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie PSA 4.5, setting a new record by fetching $162,000.
Among the notable highlights were an autographed 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella rookie card (PSA 3) with a rare PSA 9 signature grade, selling for $132,000. The bidding war extended to a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (PSA 7 with a 7 autograph rating), clinching an impressive $120,000.
Adding to the lineup of remarkable sales was a 1936-1937 Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals game-used road jersey, setting the scoreboard abuzz with a final bid of $114,000 and establishing a new record for Dizzy Dean memorabilia.
The auction also saw other standout sales, including a 1933 Babe Ruth card in pristine condition going for $120,000, a 1980 Rickey Henderson rookie card in perfect GEM MINT 10 condition fetching $111,000, and a rare 1915 Boston Red Sox Real-Photo Team Postcard featuring a young Babe Ruth, commanding $114,000.
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, expressed his delight at the auction’s success, stating, “This auction was a whirlwind of excitement, with record prices being set throughout. We are immensely grateful to our consignors for entrusting us with these exceptional items, and to the bidders who made this yet another groundbreaking event for us.”
For those who missed out on the action, fear not—the upcoming September Encore Auction by REA, scheduled from September 12-22, promises to keep the adrenaline pumping with more exceptional items up for grabs. So, mark your calendars and get ready for another round of thrilling bidding!
