Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction has set the stage for an exciting year in the world of sports collectibles, boasting a stunning total of over $7.1 million in sales. The event, which featured a dazzling array of vintage sports cards and memorabilia, captured the attention of eager collectors worldwide.
Babe Ruth Takes Center Stage
Unsurprisingly, Babe Ruth cards stole the spotlight at the auction, with three 1933 Goudey cards graded PSA NM/MT 8 collectively fetching close to $700,000. Among them, the #149 card with a striking red background commanded an impressive $316,736. A rare advertising card circa 1920 featuring Ruth and Carl Mays, graded SGC 3, ignited heated bidding, ultimately selling for $95,860. Other notable Ruth pieces included a 1921 E253 Oxford Confectionery card graded PSA 5, selling for $52,102, and a 1932 U.S. Caramel card graded PSA 6.5, reaching $48,508.
The Legendary Joe Jackson and More
A standout item that wasn’t Ruth-related was the 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, graded PSA 7, setting a new grade record at an impressive $173,794. Alongside other items in the set break, the Joe Jackson card contributed to a combined total of over $850,000 in sales.
1952 Topps Delight
Three 1952 Topps cards, all graded PSA 8, broke the six-figure mark. Notably, an Eddie Mathews high-number card led the pack, raking in $123,484, while cards featuring Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays also attracted substantial bids.
Mickey Mantle Mania Continues
Mickey Mantle’s cards continued to draw fervent interest from collectors, with a rare 1959 Bazooka card graded PSA 6 fetching $33,586. A complete 1959 Bazooka box showcasing Mantle on the back, graded PSA 1, achieved $18,575. Moreover, four PSA 10 Bazooka Mantle cards from 1961, 1964, 1965, and 1966 combined to reach nearly $50,000. Additional Mantle highlights included a 1953 Topps PSA 7 NM selling for $29,012, a 1956 Topps Gray Back PSA 8.5 for $38,879, and a 1966 O-Pee-Chee Mantle SGC 9 for $16,886.
Other Sports Highlights
Beyond baseball, the auction featured key sales in other sports. A 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie hockey card, graded PSA 10, was a standout, fetching $72,455. In football, notable sales included a 1964 Topps Bobby Bell rookie PSA 10 for $31,558, a 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen rookie PSA 10 for $19,018, and a 1973 Topps Art Shell rookie PSA 10 for $20,432.
Unique Memorabilia Finds
The auction also offered unique memorabilia pieces that captured the imagination of bidders. Notable sales included a Ty Cobb Tobacco tin from the 1910s selling for $30,463, a Mickey Mantle single-signed baseball with a rare “#6” inscription for $20,934, a handwritten letter from Mantle’s 1951 rookie season also priced at $20,934, and a Joe Jackson Louisville Slugger decal bat from circa 1910-15 for $16,121.
An Impressive Kickstart to the Year
With record-breaking sales and a diverse array of exceptional items, Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction has set a high benchmark for 2025. Collectors are eagerly anticipating future opportunities to acquire these iconic pieces of sports history.
