Vintage sports cards have proven their enduring allure once again in the dynamic market of collectibles, captivating collectors in 2023. The Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company showcased a range of vintage cards that fetched record-breaking prices, underscoring the lasting significance of these pieces in the collectors’ market.
The highlight of the auction was the legendary 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card, graded PSA 8, which commanded an impressive sale price of $378,997. This iconic card not only represents the immense impact Mickey Mantle had on baseball history but also reaffirms the timeless appeal of vintage sports cards.
Mile High Card Company’s auction also featured other notable sales, including a 1916 M101-4 Sporting News Joe Jackson card with a blank back. Graded PSA 7, this card sold for an astonishing $104,302, a significant leap from its previous record of $25,000. Similarly, 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 not only focused on individual legends but also set new records for cards featuring Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. A 1964 Topps #342 Willie Stargell card, graded PSA 10, sold for an impressive $30,674, surpassing the previous record of $4,154. Other Stargell cards from 1966 and 1973 Topps also reached record prices.
Several other vintage cards at the auction also garnered significant attention. These included a 1962 Topps #45 Brooks Robinson card (PSA 9), which sold for $30,391, a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card (PSA 3 VG), which fetched $11,732, and a 1969 Topps #100 Hank Aaron card (PSA 9), sold for $10,665. Furthermore, a 1972 Topps #229 World Series Game 7 card, graded PSA 10, reached an impressive price of $12,388.
The Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company extended beyond baseball cards to include other collectible items. A 1941 Playball #71 Joe DiMaggio card, graded SGC 8.5, drew a high bid of $79,531, reflecting the nostalgia and admiration for baseball heroes of that era. Classic cards like the 1910-11 Sporting Life M116 Hans Wagner card and the 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card also garnered significant attention, with sales reaching $77,770 and $45,776, respectively.
Memorabilia items featured prominently in the auction as well. A Babe Ruth-signed OAL (Harridge) baseball topped the memorabilia sales, fetching an impressive $40,486. Other notable items included a 1972 California Angels Nolan Ryan signed game-used home jersey, which sold for $56,518, and a circa 1934 Paul & Dizzy Dean “Beech-Nut Tobacco” oversized die-cut advertising sign, which fetched $11,403.
Notable jerseys from baseball legends Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson also garnered attention, 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. 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 the Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company not only showcases the strength and appeal of vintage sports cards but also highlights the history and nostalgia these cards and memorabilia evoke. The remarkable prices fetched by items 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 be a vital and vibrant part of the collectibles market, consistently attracting interest and investment from enthusiasts around the world.
