Title: Vintage Sports Cards Triumph: Mile High’s Winter Auction Sets Record-Breaking Sales
Subtitle: Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction showcases the enduring allure of vintage sports cards and memorabilia, with record-breaking prices for iconic items.
Meta Description: Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction showcases vintage sports cards’ enduring allure and sets record-breaking sales, including a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card.
Vintage sports cards have once again proven their enduring allure in the dynamic market of collectibles, captivating collectors in the year 2023. Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction served as the perfect platform to showcase the continued popularity of these vintage cards, with record-breaking sales that left enthusiasts in awe.
The highlight of the auction was none other than the iconic 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card, graded PSA 8, which commanded a jaw-dropping sale price of $378,997. This extraordinary sale not only reflects the legendary status of Mickey Mantle in baseball history but also underscores the lasting significance of vintage sports cards in the collectors’ market.
While the Mickey Mantle rookie card stole the spotlight, Mile High Card Company’s auction featured other noteworthy sales that left collectors ecstatic. One such sale was the 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Joe Jackson card, featuring a blank back and graded PSA 7, which fetched an impressive price of $104,302. This sale marked a significant leap from its previous record of $25,000, highlighting the growing interest in rare vintage cards. Similarly, a 1934 Goudey #61 Lou Gehrig card, graded PSA 8, fetched a remarkable price of $101,623, while a 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle card, also graded PSA 8, went for an impressive $89,635. Moreover, a 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente card, graded PSA 8, achieved a solid sale price of $72,084.
The auction was not just about individual legends, as cards of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell also set new records. A 1964 Topps #342 Willie Stargell card, graded PSA 10, fetched a remarkable $30,674, significantly surpassing its previous record of $4,154. Other Stargell cards, including those from 1966 and 1973 Topps, also achieved record prices, sparking excitement among collectors.
In addition to these notable sales, the auction featured various other vintage cards that set new records. Noteworthy examples include a 1962 Topps #45 Brooks Robinson card (graded PSA 9) fetching $30,391, a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card (graded PSA 3 VG) selling for $11,732, and a 1969 Topps #100 Hank Aaron card (graded PSA 9) achieving a price of $10,665. Furthermore, a 1972 Topps #229 World Series Game 7 card, graded PSA 10, soared to a remarkable sale price of $12,388.
The auction did not solely focus on baseball cards but also included other sports and memorabilia items. A 1941 Playball #71 Joe DiMaggio card, graded SGC 8.5, commanded a high bid of $79,531, reflecting the deep nostalgia and respect for the era’s baseball heroes. Additional classic cards, such as the 1910-11 Sporting Life M116 Hans Wagner card ($77,770) and the 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card ($45,776), also garnered significant attention and high prices.
Memorabilia items also played a prominent role in the auction, with a Babe Ruth-signed OAL (Harridge) baseball stealing the show and selling for an impressive $40,486. Other notable memorabilia included a 1972 California Angels Nolan Ryan signed game-used home jersey, which fetched $56,518, and a circa 1934 Paul & Dizzy Dean “Beech-Nut Tobacco” oversized die-cut advertising sign, reaching a price of $11,403.
The auction went beyond cards and memorabilia, highlighting coveted jerseys from baseball legends like Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson, with each fetching over $13,000. Additionally, a 1980 Rickey Henderson game-used Oakland A’s alternate jersey sold for $24,639, and a 1998 Ken Griffey Jr. game-used autographed bat, used for his 33rd home run of the 1998 Season, went for $17,328. An unusual item in the auction was a 1962 Post Alpha-Bits unopened box featuring Sandy Koufax, which attracted a bid of $11,028.
The success of Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction not only confirms the enduring strength and appeal of vintage sports cards but also emphasizes the rich history and nostalgia these cards and memorabilia evoke. The remarkable prices attained by items associated with legends like Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Lou Gehrig, and Willie Stargell, among others, indicate the deep connection and reverence fans and collectors have for the golden era of sports. As the auction results demonstrate, vintage sports cards and memorabilia remain a vital and vibrant part of the collectibles market, consistently attracting interest and investment from enthusiasts around the world.
