Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction kicked off the year with a bang, raking in an astounding $7.1 million in total sales. The auction, which featured a lineup of sought-after vintage sports cards and memorabilia, captured the attention of collectors worldwide, leading to fierce bidding wars and impressive price tags.
The undisputed star of the show was Babe Ruth, whose legendary presence graced several of the auction’s top-selling items. Three 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards, all graded PSA NM/MT 8, collectively fetched nearly $700,000, with the standout #149 card sporting a red background commanding an eye-watering $316,736. Another highlight was a rare advertising card from the early 1920s featuring Ruth and Carl Mays, graded SGC 3, which sold for $95,860.
Other notable Babe Ruth pieces included a 1921 E253 Oxford Confectionery card graded PSA 5, selling for $52,102, and a 1932 U.S. Caramel card graded PSA 6.5, which brought in $48,508, solidifying Ruth’s enduring appeal among collectors.
In a groundbreaking moment, a 1915 Cracker Jack #103 Joe Jackson card, graded PSA 7, set a new record for its grade by fetching an impressive $173,794, becoming the top non-Ruth item in the auction. The card was part of a set break that collectively amassed over $850,000 in sales, showcasing the enduring allure of vintage baseball cards.
Vintage baseball favorites from the iconic 1952 Topps series also shone brightly in the auction, with three PSA 8 graded cards crossing the six-figure mark. An Eddie Mathews high-number card led the pack, selling for $123,484, while Jackie Robinson and Willie Mays cards also garnered significant interest from collectors.
Mickey Mantle’s presence was felt strongly throughout the auction, with a rare 1959 Bazooka card graded PSA 6 fetching $33,586 and a complete 1959 Bazooka box featuring Mantle on the back, graded PSA 1, achieving $18,575. Additionally, four PSA 10 Bazooka Mantle cards from various years collectively reached close to $50,000, solidifying Mantle’s status as a beloved figure in the collecting world.
Further Mantle highlights included a 1953 Topps PSA 7 NM card selling for $29,012, a 1956 Topps Gray Back PSA 8.5 card fetching $38,879, and a 1966 O-Pee-Chee Mantle SGC 9 card going for $16,886, demonstrating the enduring popularity of “The Mick” among collectors.
Beyond baseball, the auction featured highlights from other sports, including a 1965-66 Topps Phil Esposito rookie card, graded PSA 10, which sold for $72,455, delighting hockey enthusiasts. Football card enthusiasts also had their moment with notable sales such as the 1964 Topps Bobby Bell rookie PSA 10 selling for $31,558, the 1964 Philadelphia Merlin Olsen rookie PSA 10 fetching $19,018, and the 1973 Topps Art Shell rookie PSA 10 going for $20,432.
Unique memorabilia finds added an extra layer of excitement to the auction, with items like a Ty Cobb Tobacco tin from the 1910s selling for $30,463, a Mickey Mantle single-signed baseball with a rare “#6” inscription fetching $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 1910s-1915 changing hands for $16,121, showcasing the diversity of offerings that captured collectors’ imaginations.
Overall, Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction set a high bar for 2025 with its record-breaking sales and exceptional lineup of items, leaving collectors eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to acquire iconic pieces of sports history.
