Hold onto your baseball caps, folks, because Willie Mays has once again knocked it out of the park! The 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card recently set an astonishing record at Robert Edward Auctions’ Summer Catalog Auction, selling for a jaw-dropping $390,935. With this monumental sale, Mays has cemented his legacy in the world of sports memorabilia with a grand slam!
This iconic card, the highest-graded example to hit the auction block in over 15 years, attracted eleven fierce bidders who were all swinging for the fences. Ultimately, only one emerged victorious, securing this coveted cardboard treasure. Considering there are no PSA 10 Mays rookie cards in existence and only eight in a PSA 9 grade, it’s no wonder collectors went wild for this rare find.
To put this achievement into perspective, a lesser-graded PSA 8 copy of the same Mays card sold for $207,400 just a week prior at Goldin Auctions. Clearly, the demand for Mays’ rookie cards is sizzling hot, matching the intensity of a summer day at the ballpark!
Not only did this record-breaking sale make headlines, but it’s also making a positive impact on education. The generous consignor of the card has pledged to utilize the proceeds to establish a college scholarship endowment, ensuring that this historic moment will help shape the future as well. Talk about a win-win situation!
The Summer Catalog Auction wasn’t just about the Willie Mays rookie card; it was a grand slam in its own right. With over $13.3 million in total sales from more than 82,000 bids across nearly 3,200 lots, this event was a true game-changer in the world of sports memorabilia auctions. Thirteen items crossed the six-figure mark, showcasing the fervor of collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Some notable sales from the auction included a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie PSA 4.5 card, which set a new record by fetching $162,000—the highest price ever recorded for that grade. Additionally, an autographed 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella rookie card (PSA 3 with a PSA 9 signature grade) commanded $132,000, while a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (PSA 7 with a 7 autograph rating) netted $120,000.
The momentum didn’t stop there, with a 1936-1937 Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals game-used road jersey bringing in an impressive $114,000, setting a new benchmark for Dizzy Dean memorabilia. The auction also featured a lineup of other standout sales, including Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Rickey Henderson, Wayne Gretzky, Joe Jackson, and more, each achieving remarkable prices.
Brian Dwyer, the President of REA, summed up the excitement of the auction by stating, “This auction was a blast from start to finish, with new record prices being set left and right. We’re incredibly grateful to the consignors who trusted us with these amazing items and to the bidders who made this another record-breaking auction for us.”
For those who missed out on this stellar event, fear not! The action continues with REA’s upcoming September Encore Auction, scheduled to run from September 12-22. With the bar set high by the Summer Catalog Auction, collectors and enthusiasts can anticipate another thrilling round of bidding and record-breaking moments ahead. So mark your calendars and get ready for more excitement in the world of sports memorabilia!