The world of sports collectibles was once again illuminated by the dazzling expertise of the Mile High Card Company. This premier institution, known for its masterful marketing of the iconic T206 Honus Wagner card, reaffirmed its dominance with their recent successful auction.
Their crowning achievement was the sale of the 1909-11 T206 Sweet Caporal 150/25 card. This captivating artifact was auctioned off for an astonishing $1.968 million, setting a new benchmark for a Wagner card graded PSA Authentic (Restored). The fervor surrounding this card was evident, with bids surging rapidly, almost pushing it to cross the $2 million threshold. While it came close, the pinnacle for Wagner cards remains the SGC 2 variant, which Goldin Co sold for a staggering $7.25 million privately in 2022. Another gem was the SGC 3 version that fetched $6.6 million in 2021, courtesy of Robert Edward Auctions. Only the legendary 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card (SGC 9.5) surpasses these, having secured a jaw-dropping $12.6 million in a previous year.
Mile High’s CEO and President, Brian Drent, expressed his pride and elation post-auction. He acknowledged the discerning tastes of their clients and the unparalleled opportunities such auctions offer.
However, it wasn’t just the Wagner card stealing the limelight. Collectors’ eyes also darted towards the 1948 Leaf Baseball unopened wax pack, achieving a whopping $206,017 with its PSA 7 NM grading. Close on its heels was the 1952 Topps Baseball unopened wax pack 1st Series (PSA 7 NM), which commanded an impressive $104,045. Sports memorabilia like the 1971 Bobby Orr Boston Bruins jersey and the 1967 Willie McCovey game-used jersey garnered $167,491 and $17,235 respectively.
From August 23 to September 7, the auction was a hive of activity, reflecting the global collectors’ avidity.
Other highlights from the auction included:
The 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle card fetching $131,231.
The rare 1914 Cracker Jack “Holy Bible” Shoeless Joe Jackson selling for $89,876.
The 1963 Topps Rookie Stars #537 Pete Rose going for $79,775.
Cards of legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb ranged between $11,589 and $22,373.
Cards from the 50s and 60s, representing the likes of Roberto Clemente and Mickey Mantle, saw prices between $14,057 and $42,195.
Football cards, especially of John Unitas, ranged from $11,589 to $19,981.
Basketball cards, featuring legends such as Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan, commanded between $17,945 and $34,314.
Complete card sets, like the 1933 Goudey, achieved bids like $112,255.
This monumental auction further entrenched the Mile High Card Company’s standing as the torchbearer in sports collectibles, effectively capturing the essence of global collector passions.
