Vintage sports cards have once again proven their enduring allure in the dynamic market of collectibles, captivating collectors in 2023. Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction showcased a range of vintage cards that fetched record-breaking prices, solidifying their significance in the collectors’ market.
Undoubtedly the highlight of the auction was the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card, graded PSA 8, which commanded an impressive sale price of $378,997. This coveted card not only symbolizes Mickey Mantle’s legendary status in baseball history but also underscores the lasting appeal of vintage sports cards.
Other noteworthy sales at the auction included a 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Joe Jackson card, featuring a blank back and graded PSA 7, which sold for $104,302, leaping from its previous record of $25,000. A 1934 Goudey #61 Lou Gehrig card, graded PSA 8, fetched $101,623, while a 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle card, also graded PSA 8, went for $89,635. Additionally, a 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente card, graded PSA 8, achieved a sale price of $72,084.
The auction also witnessed record-setting prices for cards of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. A 1964 Topps #342 Willie Stargell card, graded PSA 10, was sold for $30,674, significantly surpassing the previous record of $4,154. Other Stargell cards from 1966 and 1973 Topps also achieved record prices.
The auction set new records for various other vintage cards as well. A 1962 Topps #45 Brooks Robinson card (PSA 9) sold for $30,391, a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card (PSA 3 VG) fetched $11,732, and a 1969 Topps #100 Hank Aaron card (PSA 9) achieved $10,665. Furthermore, a 1972 Topps #229 World Series Game 7 card, graded PSA 10, fetched $12,388.
Not limited to just baseball cards, the auction featured a variety of memorabilia items. A Babe Ruth-signed OAL (Harridge) baseball topped the memorabilia sales, selling for $40,486. A 1972 California Angels Nolan Ryan signed game-used home jersey went for $56,518, and a circa 1934 Paul & Dizzy Dean “Beech-Nut Tobacco” oversized die-cut advertising sign fetched $11,403.
The auction also highlighted jerseys from baseball legends like Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson, each fetching over $13,000. 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. A unique 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 demonstrates the enduring strength and appeal of vintage sports cards and memorabilia but also highlights the rich history and nostalgia that these items evoke. The remarkable prices fetched by cards and memorabilia associated with legends like Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Lou Gehrig, and Willie Stargell signify the deep connection and reverence fans and collectors have for the golden era of sports. Vintage sports cards and memorabilia continue to thrive in the collectibles market, attracting interest and investment from enthusiasts worldwide.