Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction has set the stage for 2025 with a remarkable start, surpassing $7.1 million in sales. The event, featuring vintage sports cards and rare memorabilia, captured the attention of collectors worldwide, leading to intense bidding wars and record-breaking prices.
The legend of Babe Ruth dominated the auction, with three 1933 Goudey cards graded PSA NM/MT 8 stealing the spotlight. The #149 card, featuring a red background, fetched an impressive $316,736, contributing to the total success of the auction. Additionally, a rare advertising card from the early 1920s showcasing Ruth and Carl Mays commanded a price of $95,860, showcasing the enduring appeal of these baseball icons.
Not to be outdone, Joe Jackson’s 1915 Cracker Jack #103 card, graded PSA 7, set a new record by selling for an impressive $173,794. The entire set break, including this standout card, generated over $850,000 in total sales, highlighting the continued demand for high-quality vintage cards.
The allure of the 1952 Topps cards was evident with three PSA 8 graded cards exceeding six figures. Among them, an Eddie Mathews high-number card led the group, selling for $123,484, while Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays cards also fetched substantial sums, captivating collectors with their timeless appeal.
Mickey Mantle’s cards remained a crowd favorite, with a 1959 Bazooka card graded PSA 6 commanding $33,586. A complete 1959 Bazooka box featuring Mantle on the back fetched $18,575, while four PSA 10 Bazooka Mantle cards from the 1960s collectively sold for nearly $50,000, showcasing the enduring popularity of the baseball legend.
Additional Mantle highlights included a 1953 Topps PSA 7 NM card selling for $29,012, a 1956 Topps Gray Back PSA 8.5 card reaching $38,879, and a 1966 O-Pee-Chee Mantle SGC 9 card selling for $16,886, further solidifying Mantle’s iconic status among collectors.
In the realm of other sports, a 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie card, graded PSA 10, catered to hockey enthusiasts, fetching $72,455. Football cards also commanded attention, with notable sales such as the 1964 Topps Bobby Bell rookie PSA 10 card selling for $31,558, the 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen rookie PSA 10 card achieving $19,018, and the 1973 Topps Art Shell rookie PSA 10 card reaching $20,432, showcasing the diversity of sports memorabilia on offer.
The auction also featured unique memorabilia that added a touch of history and nostalgia to the event. Notable items included a Ty Cobb Tobacco tin from the 1910s selling for $30,463, a Mickey Mantle single-signed baseball with a rare “#6” inscription reaching $20,934, a handwritten letter from Mantle’s 1951 rookie season also selling for $20,934, and a Joe Jackson Louisville Slugger decal bat from the early 1900s selling for $16,121, offering collectors a glimpse into the past.
Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction has set a high standard for the year, with its record-breaking sales and exceptional offerings captivating the hearts of sports memorabilia enthusiasts. As collectors eagerly await the next auction, the bar has been set high for iconic pieces of sports history to come.