Just released: Our latest Sports Collectibles Market Report!
The February Vintage Elite Auction features an assemblage of pre and post-war baseball cards, complete sets, sealed wax, and graded photos. Before the auction closes, preview the top lots scheduled to sell in this edition of Auction Action!
Released during an exciting time in baseball history, the 1962 Topps Set captures a Golden Age for the sport of baseball. As the cards were rolling-off the printing press, the New York Yankees were hoisting the trophy as defending World Series champions with stars like Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Whitey Ford. The set also included rookie cards of several players who would go on to have notable careers, including Lou Brock, Gaylord Perry, and Joe Torre. This leading lot features a complete collection of 1962 Topps baseball cards which showcases a variety of subsets including Sporting News All Star and Managers' Dream. The cards carry a woodgrain boarder, unique specifically to the '62 production and this particular collection consists of 598 cards - all of which are graded PSA 8.
The first card ever produced for one of the greatest players in baseball history. Willie Mays, who played for 22 seasons mostly with the New York and San Francisco Giants, was a 24-time All-Star, a 2-time MVP, and a 12-time Gold Glove winner and has a legacy that is still recognized by the game today. This particular card is one of 77 Mays rookies graded PSA 8 and has attracted 14 bids with a current price of $175,000. Prices for PSA 8's have fluctuated between $160,000 - $240,000 over the last 12-months after surging above $300,000 in 2021. There are no gem mint copies in existence and only nine total examples graded higher in PSA's census.
Frank Robinson's impact on the sport of baseball cannot be overstated and his array of accolades is one of the most impressive you'll find. Robinson played for five different teams over his 21-year career, and he was the first player to win the Most Valuable Player award in both the American and National Leagues. He was a 14-time All-Star, a two-time World Series champion, and a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection. His accomplishments on the field are matched by his impact in the dugout, as he became the first African American manager in MLB history, and went on to manage four different teams. This card is the one and only gem mint example in existence and displays a masterful portrait of a baseball icon. The crisp, deep yellow background acts as a bright canvas around Robinson while his time is etched in a red that coincidentally mixes well with his team - the Cincinnati Redlegs. Through 5 early bids, the card has reached $84,000 and looks poised to close within six-figures when the hammer falls.
All Images via Goldin
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