News

REA's May Encore Auction, which concluded on a recent Sunday night, was marked by significant activity in set building, as collectors gravitated towards complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s. These sets, known for their rarity and condition, topped the sales chart, reflecting a strong trend in high-grade set building within the collectibles market.

• The auction's standout sale was a 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing just one card, which fetched $126,000. This set, ranking #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, exemplifies the high standards collectors set for such compilations.
• Close on its heels was a 1957 Topps complete set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry, also with a GPA of 8.00, which brought in $99,000.
• Another highlight was the 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, sold for $72,000.

The auction also spotlighted pre-war rarities, drawing significant attention and setting records. A 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card with the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, was a highly anticipated lot that sold for $54,000, setting a new record for its grade and back combination. Another notable sale was a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card, which fetched $30,000, a record price for its grade of VG-EX 4.

Over 3,600 items were auctioned, generating nearly $1.8 million in sales from more than 63,000 bids. Among the other top sellers were:

• A 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, sold for $52,800.
• A 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, achieved $36,000.
• A 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, SGC FAIR 1.5, garnered $29,400.
• Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card, PSA EX 5, went for $25,200.
• A 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card, PSA VG-EX+ 4.5, and a 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, each sold for $24,600.
• A 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, brought in $24,000.
• An unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards, featuring rookies Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, sold for $17,400.
• A 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth card, PSA VG+ 3.5, fetched $15,600.
• A 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, was purchased for $14,400.

REA President Brian Dwyer commented on the auction’s success, noting the robust results and highlighting the resurgence of interest in high-grade set building. "This is a very positive sign of great things to come in our upcoming events and the industry as a whole," Dwyer remarked.

Looking ahead, REA is gearing up for its June Encore Auction, which opens on June 13, followed by the larger Summer Catalog Auction starting on July 23. The latter coincides with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will be prominently present at Booth #6032.