REA’s May Encore Auction wrapped up with a bang, leaving collectors and enthusiasts buzzing over the remarkable sales and exceptional items that crossed the block. The event, which culminated on a Sunday evening, saw a flurry of activity centered around iconic baseball sets from the 1950s, marking a resurgence in high-grade set building within the collectibles market.

Topping the charts was a 1958 Topps near-complete set, missing only a single card, that commanded an impressive $126,000. Ranked #13 on the PSA Set Registry with a notable GPA of 8.00, this set exemplified the exacting standards collectors have for these comprehensive collections. Following closely behind was a 1957 Topps complete set, ranked #24 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.00, which fetched $99,000. Additionally, the auction featured a 1959 Topps complete set, ranked #29 on the PSA Set Registry with a GPA of 8.01, selling for $72,000.

The spotlight also shone on pre-war rarities, with a 1909-1911 T206 Ty Cobb Bat Off Shoulder card sporting the rare Uzit Back, graded PSA FAIR 1.5, selling for a record-setting $54,000. Another standout was a 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth card that achieved $30,000, setting a new benchmark for its VG-EX 4 grade.

Boasting over 3,600 items, the auction raked in nearly $1.8 million through a staggering 63,000 bids. Among the top performers were sought-after pieces like the 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, which sold for $52,800, and the 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie card, PSA NM-MT 8, fetching $36,000. The 1907 Wolverine News Postcard featuring a Ty Cobb Portrait Rookie, SGC FAIR 1.5, garnered substantial interest at $29,400, while Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman #253 Rookie card, PSA EX 5, went for $25,200.

The auction also saw solid sales for iconic cards, including a 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth card and a 1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax Rookie card, both securing $24,600. The 1954 Topps #94 Ernie Banks Rookie card fetched $24,000, while an unopened wax box of 1980-1981 Topps Basketball cards with rookies Larry Bird and Magic Johnson sold for $17,400. Closing out the notable sales were a 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth card and a 1951 Bowman #1 Whitey Ford Rookie card, realizing $15,600 and $14,400, respectively.

REA President Brian Dwyer expressed delight over the auction’s success, underscoring the robust outcomes and the renewed interest in high-grade set building. Dwyer shared his optimism for future events, remarking, “This is a very positive sign of great things to come in our upcoming events and the industry as a whole.”

Looking ahead, REA is gearing up for its June Encore Auction opening on June 13, followed by the grand Summer Catalog Auction kicking off on July 23. The latter coincides with the 44th annual National Sports Collectors Convention, where REA will take center stage at Booth #6032, promising more exciting offerings and engaging experiences for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

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