Memory Lane’s Winter Auction Surpasses $7.1 Million with Iconic Vintage Collectibles

• Posted: January 14, 2025, 11:33 pm
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction kicked off the year with a bang, achieving over $7.1 million in total sales. Featuring a stunning array of vintage sports cards and memorabilia, the event attracted passionate collectors from across the globe eager to own pieces of sports history.

Babe Ruth Cards Steal the Spotlight​

Babe Ruth memorabilia once again proved to be a top draw. Three 1933 Goudey cards, all graded PSA NM/MT 8, collectively sold for nearly $700,000. Leading the trio was the iconic #149 card with its red background, which brought in an impressive $316,736.

A rare circa-1920 advertising card featuring Ruth and Carl Mays, graded SGC 3, ignited a bidding war that ended at $95,860. Other notable Ruth sales included:

• 1921 E253 Oxford Confectionery Card (PSA 5): $52,102
• 1932 U.S. Caramel Card (PSA 6.5): $48,508

Joe Jackson and Record-Breaking Sales​

The standout non-Ruth item was a 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, graded PSA 7, which shattered records for its grade, selling for $173,794. This card was part of a set break that collectively generated over $850,000 in sales.

1952 Topps Cards Continue to Shine​

The legendary 1952 Topps set remained a major highlight, with three PSA 8-graded cards crossing six figures. The Eddie Mathews high-number card led with $123,484, followed closely by Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays cards, each fetching significant sums.

Mantle Mania: Strong Demand for Mickey Mantle Cards​

Mickey Mantle collectibles were among the most coveted items in the auction. A 1959 Bazooka card (PSA 6) fetched $33,586, while a complete 1959 Bazooka box featuring Mantle on the back, graded PSA 1, sold for $18,575. Four Bazooka Mantle cards graded PSA 10, spanning 1961 to 1966, netted nearly $50,000 in total.

Other Mantle highlights included:

• 1953 Topps (PSA 7 NM): $29,012
• 1956 Topps Gray Back (PSA 8.5): $38,879
• 1966 O-Pee-Chee (SGC 9): $16,886

Multi-Sport Highlights​

The auction wasn’t limited to baseball. Hockey collectors bid up a 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie card (PSA 10) to $72,455, while football saw strong sales with:

• 1964 Topps Bobby Bell Rookie (PSA 10): $31,558
• 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen Rookie (PSA 10): $19,018
• 1973 Topps Art Shell Rookie (PSA 10): $20,432

Rare Memorabilia Adds to the Excitement​

In addition to cards, unique memorabilia items also made a splash:

• Ty Cobb Tobacco Tin (1910s): $30,463
• Mickey Mantle Single-Signed Baseball with Rare "#6" Inscription: $20,934
• Mantle Handwritten Letter from His 1951 Rookie Season: $20,934
• Joe Jackson Louisville Slugger Decal Bat (c. 1910-15): $16,121

A Milestone Start to the Year​

Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction showcased an incredible lineup of vintage sports treasures, setting a high standard for auctions to come in 2025. With record-breaking sales and fierce bidding competition, collectors have shown their unwavering passion for owning a piece of sports history.

Stay tuned for the next Memory Lane event to see what other iconic collectibles will surface.