Willie Mays, the iconic baseball legend, continues to hit home runs even off the field with a groundbreaking sale of his 1951 Bowman rookie card. The sports memorabilia realm witnessed history as this prized card fetched a staggering $390,935 at the Robert Edward Auctions’ Summer Catalog Auction, leaving enthusiasts in awe.
This particular card, the finest graded specimen to appear in over a decade and a half, attracted eleven enthusiastic bidders eager to claim the crown jewel. With no PSA 10 Mays rookie cards in existence and a mere eight boasting a PSA 9 grade, the fierce competition was no surprise.
To add context to this remarkable achievement, a PSA 8 version of the same card commanded a hefty $207,400 just the week prior at Goldin Auctions. It’s undeniable—Willie Mays’ rookie cards are sizzling hot commodities in the collecting universe!
As curiosity looms about the destination of such a hefty sum, it’s heartwarming to learn that the seller intends to utilize the proceeds for a noble cause—an endowment for a college scholarship. Not only is this transaction etching its name in the annals of auction history, but it’s also paving the way for future academic endeavors. A triumphant win-win, indeed!
The Summer Catalog Auction proved to be a colossal success on its own, amassing a remarkable $13.3 million from a whopping 82,000+ bids spread across nearly 3,200 lots. Thirteen items soared past the six-figure threshold, with notable mentions like the record-breaking sale of a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie PSA 4.5 at $162,000—the highest amount ever recorded for that grade.
Among the standout performers were an autographed 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella rookie card with a PSA 3 grade and a PSA 9 signature grade, fetching $132,000, and a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card graded PSA 7 with a 7 autograph rating, which netted an impressive $120,000.
The auction further showcased a 1936-1937 Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals game-used road jersey clinching a cool $114,000, setting a benchmark for Dizzy Dean memorabilia.
Beyond these star lots, several other exceptional sales stole the spotlight:
– 1933 R338 Sport Kings #2 Babe Ruth PSA NM-MT 8 – $120,000
– 1915 Boston Red Sox Real-Photo Team Postcard with Babe Ruth Rookie – $114,000
– 1980 Topps #482 Rickey Henderson Rookie PSA GEM MINT 10 – $111,000
– 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Glove Shows PSA EX+ 5.5 (Broad Leaf 460 Back) – $111,000
– 1979-1980 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie PSA MINT 9 – $105,000
– 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson SGC GOOD+ 2.5 – $102,000 (record for SGC grade)
– 1933 V353 World Wide Gum Canadian Goudey #80 Babe Ruth PSA NM 7 – $96,000 (record for the card)
– 1984-1985 Star Company Basketball #101 Michael Jordan Rookie BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 – $52,800 (record for Beckett grade)
Reflecting on the incredible results, Brian Dwyer, President of REA, expressed his gratitude towards both the esteemed consignors who entrusted the auction house with these exceptional pieces and the enthusiastic bidders who fueled another record-shattering auction.
For those who may have missed this electrifying event, fret not! The excitement continues with REA’s upcoming September Encore Auction scheduled from September 12-22. Mark your calendars, as the thrill of the auction world shows no signs of slowing down!
