Title: Vintage Sports Cards Triumph: Mile High’s Winter Auction Breaks Records
Subtitle: Mile High Card Company showcases the enduring allure of vintage sports cards
Meta Description: The Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company sets record-breaking sales as vintage sports cards captivate collectors with high-value items associated with baseball legends like Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Lou Gehrig, and Willie Stargell.
Vintage sports cards have once again proven their enduring allure in the dynamic market of collectibles, captivating collectors with their rich history and nostalgic charm. Mile High Card Company’s Winter Auction showcased a range of vintage cards, including a prized 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card, which fetched a record-breaking price and highlighted the continuing appeal of these timeless treasures.
The star of the auction was undoubtedly the 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 legendary status of Mickey Mantle in baseball history but also symbolizes the lasting significance of vintage sports cards in the collectors’ market.
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, which sold for $104,302. This sale marked a significant leap from its previous record of $25,000, underscoring the growing interest in rare vintage cards. 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 Winter Auction at Mile High Card Company set new records not only for individual legends but also for cards of Hall of Famer Willie Stargell. A 1964 Topps #342 Willie Stargell card, graded PSA 10, was sold for $30,674, significantly surpassing the previous record of $4,154. Other Stargell cards, such as those from 1966 and 1973 Topps, also achieved record prices, further highlighting the enduring popularity of these vintage treasures.
In addition to these notable sales, the auction saw impressive prices for various other vintage cards. A 1962 Topps #45 Brooks Robinson card (PSA 9) sold for $30,391, a 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays card (PSA 3 VG) fetched $11,732, and a 1969 Topps #100 Hank Aaron card (PSA 9) went for $10,665. Furthermore, a 1972 Topps #229 World Series Game 7 card, graded PSA 10, fetched $12,388.
The auction was not limited to baseball cards. A 1941 Playball #71 Joe DiMaggio card, graded SGC 8.5, attracted a high bid of $79,531, reflecting the deep nostalgia and respect for the era’s baseball heroes. Other classic cards, such as the 1910-11 Sporting Life M116 Hans Wagner card and the 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, also drew significant attention, with sales reaching $77,770 and $45,776, respectively.
Memorabilia items also took center stage in the Winter Auction. A Babe Ruth-signed OAL (Harridge) baseball topped the memorabilia sales, selling for $40,486. Notable memorabilia 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, fetching $11,403.
The auction also highlighted jerseys from baseball legends like Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson, with 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 demonstrates the continuing strength and appeal of vintage sports cards but also highlights the deep connection and reverence fans and collectors have for the golden era of sports. The remarkable prices fetched by items associated with legends like Mickey Mantle, Joe Jackson, Lou Gehrig, and Willie Stargell signify the enduring passion and investment potential of vintage sports cards and memorabilia. As the auction results show, these treasures remain a vital and vibrant part of the collectibles market, attracting interest and admiration from enthusiasts around the world.
