Hold onto your baseball caps, sports fans, because Willie Mays has hit another home run! The 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card recently shattered records by fetching an astonishing $390,935 at the prestigious Robert Edward Auctions’ Summer Catalog Auction. This sale has sent shockwaves through the world of sports memorabilia, proving that Mays’ legendary status endures.
This particular card, touted as the highest-graded specimen to grace the auction block in over 15 years, drew intense interest from collectors. With only eight PSA 9 graded examples in existence and none in the elusive PSA 10 category, it’s no surprise that bidding for this iconic piece reached a fever pitch. In the end, one fortunate bidder emerged victorious, clinching this prized cardboard gem.
To put this jaw-dropping sale into perspective, a PSA 8 variant of the same Willie Mays card fetched $207,400 just the previous week at Goldin Auctions. Clearly, the demand for Mays’ rookie cards is hotter than a scorching summer day at the ballpark, captivating enthusiasts with its enduring allure and historical significance.
As for the destination of the hefty proceeds from the sale, the consignor has chosen to channel them towards establishing a college scholarship endowment. This means that not only has this legendary card made headlines by breaking records, but it is also contributing towards shaping the future of education. A true win-win scenario in the world of sports memorabilia!
The Summer Catalog Auction itself was a resounding success, amassing over $13.3 million from a staggering 82,000 bids across nearly 3,200 lots. The event saw thirteen items crossing the six-figure mark, with standout sales including a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie PSA 4.5 that commanded an impressive $162,000—a record price for that grade.
Among the standout lots were an autographed 1949 Bowman Roy Campanella rookie (PSA 3) with a pristine PSA 9 signature grade, selling for $132,000. The auction also featured a 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card (PSA 7) with a 7 autograph rating, which fetched $120,000 in a competitive bidding war.
Not to be overshadowed, a 1936-1937 Dizzy Dean St. Louis Cardinals game-used road jersey secured a commendable $114,000, setting a new benchmark for Dizzy Dean memorabilia in the market.
A snapshot of some other notable sales includes a 1933 R338 Sport Kings #2 Babe Ruth PSA NM-MT 8 for $120,000, a 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Glove Shows PSA EX+ 5.5 (Broad Leaf 460 Back) for $111,000, and a 1979-1980 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie PSA MINT 9 for $105,000, among others.
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, remarked, “This auction was a whirlwind of excitement, setting new records with each passing lot. We are immensely thankful to our consignors for entrusting us with these exceptional pieces and to our bidders for making this yet another groundbreaking auction for us.”
For those who may have missed out on this electrifying event, fear not as the next big spectacle on the horizon is the September Encore Auction, scheduled to run from September 12-22. So, mark your calendars and get ready for more thrilling action-packed bidding!
