Sport Cards 1940-70
1941 The Art of Fly Chasing
2020 SOLD for $ 750K including premium
Joe DiMaggio is reaching a level of popularity unprecedented in baseball. He is proud to have made his entire career with the prestigious New York Yankees, before and after his active commitment in the Second World War.
In 1941 he achieves his greatest sporting feat, unequaled to date : 56 successive games with at least one safe hitting, from May 15 to June 17. This record is accompanied by a song by Les Brown and His Band of Renown, recreating the passion of the stadium and of the girls : "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, We want you on our side".
Of course Joe is the star of the baseball cards of that time. In 1940 he is awarded the # 1 in the series of 240 Play Ball cards published by Gum Inc, with a photo on which he is ready to hit. He is the best hitter in MLB with an average of .381 in the previous season. The back considers him as the best fly-chaser, deserving his new nickname of Yankee Clipper and implicitly making him the successor of the Sultan of Swat.
In 1941 his Play Ball card is numbered 71 in a series limited to 72 which also includes his two brothers, Vince and Dom. The image is the same as in the previous year except that it has been colored. To explain this apparent decline in the list, we may assume that the Play Ball 1940-1 was not sold out when the prints 1941-1 to 1941-48 were prepared. The text on the back is updated.
About 800 1941-71 cards have been graded by PSA but only one is certified at the highest level of their scale, Gem Mint 10. It is estimated $ 500K in the online sale by Heritage which ends on February 22, lot 50014.
In 1941 he achieves his greatest sporting feat, unequaled to date : 56 successive games with at least one safe hitting, from May 15 to June 17. This record is accompanied by a song by Les Brown and His Band of Renown, recreating the passion of the stadium and of the girls : "Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, We want you on our side".
Of course Joe is the star of the baseball cards of that time. In 1940 he is awarded the # 1 in the series of 240 Play Ball cards published by Gum Inc, with a photo on which he is ready to hit. He is the best hitter in MLB with an average of .381 in the previous season. The back considers him as the best fly-chaser, deserving his new nickname of Yankee Clipper and implicitly making him the successor of the Sultan of Swat.
In 1941 his Play Ball card is numbered 71 in a series limited to 72 which also includes his two brothers, Vince and Dom. The image is the same as in the previous year except that it has been colored. To explain this apparent decline in the list, we may assume that the Play Ball 1940-1 was not sold out when the prints 1941-1 to 1941-48 were prepared. The text on the back is updated.
About 800 1941-71 cards have been graded by PSA but only one is certified at the highest level of their scale, Gem Mint 10. It is estimated $ 500K in the online sale by Heritage which ends on February 22, lot 50014.
1951 A New Rookie with the Yankees
2018 SOLD for $ 750K including premium
At the dawn of his career Mickey Mantle alternates between feats and discouragement. His legs are fragile. When he was a teenager a kick in his left shin left an infection of the ankle with after-effects and prevented his incorporation into the army in 1949.
Yet when he is at the top he is the fastest and most powerful new promise in baseball. Early in 1951 the New York Yankees manager Casey Stengel considers that the boy must play the season in Major League. The uniform number 6 is attributed to him for stating that this rookie will be the successor to Ruth (3), Gehrig (4) and the then current star DiMaggio (5).
The 1951-253 Bowman card is prepared after the spring training during which Mickey has confirmed his skills. Like all cards in this series the image was a colored drawing copied from a photograph. The future champion is in profile, his smiling face turned towards the photographer and his bat held over the right shoulder. Aesthetics is not a must in these Bowman series : a useless electric pole has not been cancelled.
Bowman cards are rare in Mint condition, mostly because of some centering defect or original stain. Only one 1951-253 was graded Gem Mint-10 by PSA. One of the nine Mint-9 graded copies was sold for $ 590K including premium by Memory Lane on October 14, 2017. It will be sold by Heritage online from Dallas on April 19, lot 80449 with a $ 1M value guide. This very clean card is perfectly centered 50/50 side to side.
The season is not successful. Mickey debuts in Major League on April 17 but is not convincing. Downgraded to Minor League in Kansas City he requires once again to stop baseball but is being bullied by his father. He comes back with the Yankees but returns the number 6 to Bobby Brown. He is then wounded in the right knee with a permanent torsion of a ligament during a fall in full action to avoid hurting DiMaggio. 1951 is indeed his rookie year in MLB but 1952 will be the actual trigger of his fame.
What beats everything in this story is the fact that this guy whose exploits will be a major element of the American Dream of the 1950s is confirmed as physically unfit for the army in 1952 during the Korean War.
Yet when he is at the top he is the fastest and most powerful new promise in baseball. Early in 1951 the New York Yankees manager Casey Stengel considers that the boy must play the season in Major League. The uniform number 6 is attributed to him for stating that this rookie will be the successor to Ruth (3), Gehrig (4) and the then current star DiMaggio (5).
The 1951-253 Bowman card is prepared after the spring training during which Mickey has confirmed his skills. Like all cards in this series the image was a colored drawing copied from a photograph. The future champion is in profile, his smiling face turned towards the photographer and his bat held over the right shoulder. Aesthetics is not a must in these Bowman series : a useless electric pole has not been cancelled.
Bowman cards are rare in Mint condition, mostly because of some centering defect or original stain. Only one 1951-253 was graded Gem Mint-10 by PSA. One of the nine Mint-9 graded copies was sold for $ 590K including premium by Memory Lane on October 14, 2017. It will be sold by Heritage online from Dallas on April 19, lot 80449 with a $ 1M value guide. This very clean card is perfectly centered 50/50 side to side.
The season is not successful. Mickey debuts in Major League on April 17 but is not convincing. Downgraded to Minor League in Kansas City he requires once again to stop baseball but is being bullied by his father. He comes back with the Yankees but returns the number 6 to Bobby Brown. He is then wounded in the right knee with a permanent torsion of a ligament during a fall in full action to avoid hurting DiMaggio. 1951 is indeed his rookie year in MLB but 1952 will be the actual trigger of his fame.
What beats everything in this story is the fact that this guy whose exploits will be a major element of the American Dream of the 1950s is confirmed as physically unfit for the army in 1952 during the Korean War.
1952 Fame for Topps and Mantle
2018 SOLD for $ 2.9M including premium
1952 starts very well for Topps and quite bad for Mickey Mantle.
The New York Yankees' great prospect, highlighted in early 1951 as Joe DiMaggio's designated successor, had finally made a dull season. After being downgraded to the Minor League, he returned to the Major League but suffered a severe injury to his right knee in an action with DiMaggio.
His father who was also his mentor dies on May 7, 1952 at the age of 40 of a blood disease. It was not known at the time that his illness was lead poisoning developed when mining. The young Mickey who is psychologically fragile believes in a hereditary curse. On July 8 Mickey is selected for the All-Star Game as an outfielder but left in reserve.
At the instigation of Sy Berger the bubble gum brand Topps makes a sensational entry into the edition of baseball cards. After a first trial in 1951, Topps launches in 1952 an extensive series with sharp pictures, pretty colors and a pleasantly didactic inscription on the back.
The printing of the 1952 series is made in several batches including the gradual selection of additional players. Mantle's omission in the first 310 players is probably due to his poor start of the season. When he becomes the first of the final 311-407, it is too late. The 1952 season is already well underway and Topps is slowing down the distribution to prepare for 1953 with suitably updated information.
An excellent participation at the beginning of October in the World Series launches the career of Mickey Mantle in a sustainable way. Although 1952 is not his rookie year, the rare Topps 1952-311 will become the most desirable of the modern baseball cards.
At the top of the scale PSA ranked three cards as Gem Mint 10 and six as Mint 9. None has been auctioned for more than a decade. One of the Mint 9 is estimated $ 3.5M by Heritage online from Dallas on April 19 plus extended bidding, lot 80477. With its bright colors and excellent centering this card excites the experts. The reason why it did not obtain the Gem Mint 10 grade is not revealed in the catalog.
Please watch the video shared by Heritage.
The New York Yankees' great prospect, highlighted in early 1951 as Joe DiMaggio's designated successor, had finally made a dull season. After being downgraded to the Minor League, he returned to the Major League but suffered a severe injury to his right knee in an action with DiMaggio.
His father who was also his mentor dies on May 7, 1952 at the age of 40 of a blood disease. It was not known at the time that his illness was lead poisoning developed when mining. The young Mickey who is psychologically fragile believes in a hereditary curse. On July 8 Mickey is selected for the All-Star Game as an outfielder but left in reserve.
At the instigation of Sy Berger the bubble gum brand Topps makes a sensational entry into the edition of baseball cards. After a first trial in 1951, Topps launches in 1952 an extensive series with sharp pictures, pretty colors and a pleasantly didactic inscription on the back.
The printing of the 1952 series is made in several batches including the gradual selection of additional players. Mantle's omission in the first 310 players is probably due to his poor start of the season. When he becomes the first of the final 311-407, it is too late. The 1952 season is already well underway and Topps is slowing down the distribution to prepare for 1953 with suitably updated information.
An excellent participation at the beginning of October in the World Series launches the career of Mickey Mantle in a sustainable way. Although 1952 is not his rookie year, the rare Topps 1952-311 will become the most desirable of the modern baseball cards.
At the top of the scale PSA ranked three cards as Gem Mint 10 and six as Mint 9. None has been auctioned for more than a decade. One of the Mint 9 is estimated $ 3.5M by Heritage online from Dallas on April 19 plus extended bidding, lot 80477. With its bright colors and excellent centering this card excites the experts. The reason why it did not obtain the Gem Mint 10 grade is not revealed in the catalog.
Please watch the video shared by Heritage.
1952 Super High End
2017 SOLD for $ 1.6M including premium
The highest grades defined by PSA are 10 Gem Mint, 9 Mint and 8 Near-Mint-to-Mint, summarized respectively as Virtually perfect, Superb and Super high end. Collectors are of course looking for the best ranked, but also for the finest cards in their grade.
A card graded 8 may have some minor imperfections such as wax stain on the back, fraying on two corners, printing defect, off white edges, 65/35 centering on image side and 90/10 on reverse side. Visual appeal is not measurable and is not considered for the attribution of the grade. Nothing prevents an 8 from having retained the brightest colors.
Here are two examples of the Topps 1952-311 card featuring Mickey Mantle in the NM-MT 8 PSA grade, from a population of 35 in that grade with 16 cards in the higher levels.
One of them was sold for $ 460K including premium by Heritage on February 23, 2019 and for $ 570K including premium by Goldin on November 1, 2020. It has an exceptional centering, a glossy surface and a very nice color contrast between the portrait and the azure blue background.
The other example has similar qualities plus very white edges and a perfectly printed reverse side. It was sold for $ 660K including premium by Heritage on February 26, 2017, lot 80084. It is listed as lot 2 in the online sale by Goldin which closes on January 30.
A card graded 8 may have some minor imperfections such as wax stain on the back, fraying on two corners, printing defect, off white edges, 65/35 centering on image side and 90/10 on reverse side. Visual appeal is not measurable and is not considered for the attribution of the grade. Nothing prevents an 8 from having retained the brightest colors.
Here are two examples of the Topps 1952-311 card featuring Mickey Mantle in the NM-MT 8 PSA grade, from a population of 35 in that grade with 16 cards in the higher levels.
One of them was sold for $ 460K including premium by Heritage on February 23, 2019 and for $ 570K including premium by Goldin on November 1, 2020. It has an exceptional centering, a glossy surface and a very nice color contrast between the portrait and the azure blue background.
The other example has similar qualities plus very white edges and a perfectly printed reverse side. It was sold for $ 660K including premium by Heritage on February 26, 2017, lot 80084. It is listed as lot 2 in the online sale by Goldin which closes on January 30.
1952 The Topps Card 1952-311
2016 SOLD for $ 1.13M including premium
2019 SOLD for $ 765K including premium
PRE 2019 SALE DISCUSSION
14 examples of the 1952 Topps baseball card # 311 have been graded NM-MT 8.5 + or better by PSA. One of them was sold for $ 1.13M including premium by Heritage on November 17, 2016, lot 50786. The same copy is now estimated $ 800K in the online sale ending on December 5 by Heritage, lot 51027.
I narrated it as follows in 2016 (2019 data included) :
The first part of the series of baseball cards published by Topps in 1952, numbers 1 to 310, inaugurated the modern style with a colorful and pleasant image and a good information on the back about the player.
Topps wanted to keep going but their extension of the 1952 series, numbers 311 to 407, was not released on suitable time. Their informations concerning the records of the players being already obsolete, the distribution was limited and the cards that remained unsold in the stock of the publisher were destroyed in mass a few years later.
The first card of this second part, bearing the number 311, maintains a high excitement in the hobby. It is not the earliest baseball card of Mickey Mantle but it may be considered as his rookie card.
Mickey Mantle is that young player who was iconic of the postwar American dream. Owning a high grade 1952-311 card is currently recommended as a strong investment. The date of this edition is not so old and our grandfathers are feverishly searching into the shoeboxes of their youth. The population of PSA graded cards is growing significantly : 1,225 in December 2015, 1,392 in October 2016 (and approaching 1,600 in 2019).
The top of the scale is occupied by 3 cards graded Gem Mint 10 and 6 graded Mint 9 (these figures are still valid in 2019).
The copy for sale has beautiful colors and a remarkable lack of wear. It was brought by a visitor at the Heritage booth in a trade fair in August, 2016 and was immediately appraised by PSA. It is graded NM-MT+ 8.5.
14 examples of the 1952 Topps baseball card # 311 have been graded NM-MT 8.5 + or better by PSA. One of them was sold for $ 1.13M including premium by Heritage on November 17, 2016, lot 50786. The same copy is now estimated $ 800K in the online sale ending on December 5 by Heritage, lot 51027.
I narrated it as follows in 2016 (2019 data included) :
The first part of the series of baseball cards published by Topps in 1952, numbers 1 to 310, inaugurated the modern style with a colorful and pleasant image and a good information on the back about the player.
Topps wanted to keep going but their extension of the 1952 series, numbers 311 to 407, was not released on suitable time. Their informations concerning the records of the players being already obsolete, the distribution was limited and the cards that remained unsold in the stock of the publisher were destroyed in mass a few years later.
The first card of this second part, bearing the number 311, maintains a high excitement in the hobby. It is not the earliest baseball card of Mickey Mantle but it may be considered as his rookie card.
Mickey Mantle is that young player who was iconic of the postwar American dream. Owning a high grade 1952-311 card is currently recommended as a strong investment. The date of this edition is not so old and our grandfathers are feverishly searching into the shoeboxes of their youth. The population of PSA graded cards is growing significantly : 1,225 in December 2015, 1,392 in October 2016 (and approaching 1,600 in 2019).
The top of the scale is occupied by 3 cards graded Gem Mint 10 and 6 graded Mint 9 (these figures are still valid in 2019).
The copy for sale has beautiful colors and a remarkable lack of wear. It was brought by a visitor at the Heritage booth in a trade fair in August, 2016 and was immediately appraised by PSA. It is graded NM-MT+ 8.5.
1952 NM-MT Mantle
2021 SOLD for $ 890K including premium
Triggered one year ago, the boom in contemporary cards has led to an undeniable increase in the value of classic trading cards. Two online sales, by Heritage on February 27 and by Goldin on March 6, allow comparisons within this evolving market.
Two Mickey Mantle rookie cards compete against each other, the 1951 Bowman and the 1952 Topps. The Topps had attracted an early attention because it was in the delayed edition whose publisher destroyed a large part of his production.
The rest of this discussion is only about cards graded NM-MT 8 by PSA.
Until 2020 inclusive, the highest auction price for an NM-MT 8 was $ 204K for the Mantle Bowman and $ 660K for the Mantle Topps, respectively since 2016 and 2017. Population no longer explains the price differences : 53 with only 10 higher for Bowman, 35 with 16 higher for Topps.
The Topps is an expressive photo in which the champion in action is a real symbol of the American dream of that time. In the highest grades, amateurs pay new attention to aesthetics. The record-breaking Topps 8 of 2017, which has an excellent visual appeal, was sold for $ 1.6M including premium by Goldin on January 30, 2021.
Similar aesthetic considerations may apply beyond the grade on the Wagner T206 but certainly not for the 1951 Bowman, a clumsily retouched image.
In the next sales, the Bowman is at lot 80017 by Heritage and at lot 67 by Goldin. A few days before ending, the bids are close to 5%, more than doubling the 2016 record.
Goldin's Topps, lot 2, is advertised as "One of the Hobby's Very Best PSA NM-MT 8 Examples". The Topps from Heritage, lot 80020, is advertised as "pack fresh".
RESULTS including premium :
Bowman SOLD for $ 620K by Heritage
Bowman waiting for auction day at Goldin
Topps SOLD for $ 890K by Heritage
Topps waiting for auction day at Goldin
Two Mickey Mantle rookie cards compete against each other, the 1951 Bowman and the 1952 Topps. The Topps had attracted an early attention because it was in the delayed edition whose publisher destroyed a large part of his production.
The rest of this discussion is only about cards graded NM-MT 8 by PSA.
Until 2020 inclusive, the highest auction price for an NM-MT 8 was $ 204K for the Mantle Bowman and $ 660K for the Mantle Topps, respectively since 2016 and 2017. Population no longer explains the price differences : 53 with only 10 higher for Bowman, 35 with 16 higher for Topps.
The Topps is an expressive photo in which the champion in action is a real symbol of the American dream of that time. In the highest grades, amateurs pay new attention to aesthetics. The record-breaking Topps 8 of 2017, which has an excellent visual appeal, was sold for $ 1.6M including premium by Goldin on January 30, 2021.
Similar aesthetic considerations may apply beyond the grade on the Wagner T206 but certainly not for the 1951 Bowman, a clumsily retouched image.
In the next sales, the Bowman is at lot 80017 by Heritage and at lot 67 by Goldin. A few days before ending, the bids are close to 5%, more than doubling the 2016 record.
Goldin's Topps, lot 2, is advertised as "One of the Hobby's Very Best PSA NM-MT 8 Examples". The Topps from Heritage, lot 80020, is advertised as "pack fresh".
RESULTS including premium :
Bowman SOLD for $ 620K by Heritage
Bowman waiting for auction day at Goldin
Topps SOLD for $ 890K by Heritage
Topps waiting for auction day at Goldin
1954 Topps Card of Hank Aaron
2021 SOLD for $ 650K including premium by Heritage
narrated in 2016 before the sale of another card by Goldin (see below)
Henry Aaron nicknamed Hank was one of the best baseball players, with a great record and a remarkable longevity in his career. He was one of the African-American athletes who were admired by Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Despite the famous breakthrough of Jackie Robinson in Major League in 1947, the beginnings of this quiet athlete born in Alabama are marred by racism and segregation. Playing as outfielder, his results in Negro League in 1952 and 1953 with the Indianapolis Clowns are already exceptional.
Henry enters the Major League in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves. Topps publishes his rookie card under number 128, with a highly effective portrait. He is a good guy. The back of the card reinforces this feature by showing the player presenting to his friends his Minor League trophy watches. It may be noted from this example that Topps remains impartial with respect to racial issues.
1954-128 is not uncommon in mint condition and for this reason auction prices have not yet reached the culmination deserved from the subsequent fame of this rookie. PSA recorded 2 cards in Gem Mint 10 condition and no fewer than 22 cards in Mint 9 condition.
One of the two PSA 10 cards was sold for $ 360K by SCP Auctions in May 2012. A card graded Mint 9 by PSA was sold for $ 310K including premium by Goldin on October 1, 2016, lot 28. Another one in the same grade was sold for $ 650K including premium by Heritage on February 27, 2021, lot 80022.
Despite the famous breakthrough of Jackie Robinson in Major League in 1947, the beginnings of this quiet athlete born in Alabama are marred by racism and segregation. Playing as outfielder, his results in Negro League in 1952 and 1953 with the Indianapolis Clowns are already exceptional.
Henry enters the Major League in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves. Topps publishes his rookie card under number 128, with a highly effective portrait. He is a good guy. The back of the card reinforces this feature by showing the player presenting to his friends his Minor League trophy watches. It may be noted from this example that Topps remains impartial with respect to racial issues.
1954-128 is not uncommon in mint condition and for this reason auction prices have not yet reached the culmination deserved from the subsequent fame of this rookie. PSA recorded 2 cards in Gem Mint 10 condition and no fewer than 22 cards in Mint 9 condition.
One of the two PSA 10 cards was sold for $ 360K by SCP Auctions in May 2012. A card graded Mint 9 by PSA was sold for $ 310K including premium by Goldin on October 1, 2016, lot 28. Another one in the same grade was sold for $ 650K including premium by Heritage on February 27, 2021, lot 80022.
1955 The Superhero of Baseball
2016 SOLD for $ 480K including premium
PRE 2021 SALE DISCUSSION
In 1952, Topps develops the modern baseball card with a clear and pleasant image and a detailed information on the back side. Further improvement comes in 1955 when the card goes in landscape format, superseding the portrait format which was practiced from the origins and enabling to dispose altogether the player's portrait, his image in action, his signature and the logo of the club.
1955 was the rookie year of two baseball stars, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax. Clemente had just been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was honored with the Topps 1955-164 card. The Pirates were only the fifth team to break the barrier of color in the National League and the arrival of Clemente, Black and Puerto Rican, was likely to be contested.
The Topps 1955-164 card is extremely rare in very good condition because many copies are not well centered. Only one of them is graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA, meaning a perfect condition in every respect. It was sold for $ 430K including premium by SCP Auctions on May 20, 2012, lot 11.
A card graded Mint 9 by PSA was sold for $ 470K including premium by Goldin in October 2016, lot 21. Another one in the same grade was sold for $ 480K including premium by Heritage on February 20, 2016, lot 80113. and is listed as lot 3 in an online sale by Goldin closing on March 6, 2021.
Roberto Clemente devoted his off-seasons to charity. In December 1972 he participated in sending emergency relief after the Managua earthquake. Fearing that his act was diverted by the Nicaraguan dictatorship, he accompanied the delivery. His plane, possibly too much loaded, disappeared at sea and his body was never found. He was such a great hero that his friends asked for his canonization.
In 1952, Topps develops the modern baseball card with a clear and pleasant image and a detailed information on the back side. Further improvement comes in 1955 when the card goes in landscape format, superseding the portrait format which was practiced from the origins and enabling to dispose altogether the player's portrait, his image in action, his signature and the logo of the club.
1955 was the rookie year of two baseball stars, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax. Clemente had just been hired by the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was honored with the Topps 1955-164 card. The Pirates were only the fifth team to break the barrier of color in the National League and the arrival of Clemente, Black and Puerto Rican, was likely to be contested.
The Topps 1955-164 card is extremely rare in very good condition because many copies are not well centered. Only one of them is graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA, meaning a perfect condition in every respect. It was sold for $ 430K including premium by SCP Auctions on May 20, 2012, lot 11.
A card graded Mint 9 by PSA was sold for $ 470K including premium by Goldin in October 2016, lot 21. Another one in the same grade was sold for $ 480K including premium by Heritage on February 20, 2016, lot 80113. and is listed as lot 3 in an online sale by Goldin closing on March 6, 2021.
Roberto Clemente devoted his off-seasons to charity. In December 1972 he participated in sending emergency relief after the Managua earthquake. Fearing that his act was diverted by the Nicaraguan dictatorship, he accompanied the delivery. His plane, possibly too much loaded, disappeared at sea and his body was never found. He was such a great hero that his friends asked for his canonization.
1963 A Great Future for the Rookies
2016 SOLD for $ 720K including premium
The preference of the collectors for rookie cards in mint condition is not new. This hobby is however changing to unprecedented heights. The severity of the PSA grading standard leads to sort for each card even recent a very small population whose condition is above all others.
The example of the rookie card of Wayne Gretzky in ice hockey is instructive. This card was published with the same front side with a reverse in English by Topps and bilingual by O-Pee-Chee in the same year (1979). The difference may seem insignificant but it is not. The only bilingual example graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA was sold for $ 465K including premium by Goldin on August 4, 2016. Two Topps are known in the same grade. One of them was sold for $ 200K by Memory Lane 16 days later, on August 20, 2016.
At such a level of scarcity in perfection, it is nevertheless also required that the player is famous.
In the 1960s, Pete Rose and Nolan Ryan are young baseball champions. At that time Topps is editing some cards specially assigned to rookie stars by gathering several players. For Rose in 1963 and Ryan in 1968, only one piece has been graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA. Both cards are for sale by Heritage in Dallas on August 27, each one with an estimate of $ 400K, lot 80022 for Rose and lot 80026 for Ryan.
The aesthetic quality of the card is obviously a minor concern in the hobby. The four heads with caps from 1963 provide no sporting information and the two 1968 players are waiting for an unidentified action. The other fellows beside these two stars do not generate any comment in the Heritage catalog.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
1963 with Pete Rose : $ 720K
1968 with Nolan Ryan : $ 610K
The example of the rookie card of Wayne Gretzky in ice hockey is instructive. This card was published with the same front side with a reverse in English by Topps and bilingual by O-Pee-Chee in the same year (1979). The difference may seem insignificant but it is not. The only bilingual example graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA was sold for $ 465K including premium by Goldin on August 4, 2016. Two Topps are known in the same grade. One of them was sold for $ 200K by Memory Lane 16 days later, on August 20, 2016.
At such a level of scarcity in perfection, it is nevertheless also required that the player is famous.
In the 1960s, Pete Rose and Nolan Ryan are young baseball champions. At that time Topps is editing some cards specially assigned to rookie stars by gathering several players. For Rose in 1963 and Ryan in 1968, only one piece has been graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA. Both cards are for sale by Heritage in Dallas on August 27, each one with an estimate of $ 400K, lot 80022 for Rose and lot 80026 for Ryan.
The aesthetic quality of the card is obviously a minor concern in the hobby. The four heads with caps from 1963 provide no sporting information and the two 1968 players are waiting for an unidentified action. The other fellows beside these two stars do not generate any comment in the Heritage catalog.
RESULTS INCLUDING PREMIUM :
1963 with Pete Rose : $ 720K
1968 with Nolan Ryan : $ 610K
1968 Nolan Ryan and a Teammate
2020 SOLD for $ 615K including premium
In 1960 Topps began to identify the rookies in their series of baseball cards. The original idea was to constitute for collectors the dream team of the future. In the following years the practice was to display several rookies on a same card. From 1964, each card groups together rookies belonging to the same team.
Today's collectors favor the rookies whose careers have been the most prestigious. Pete Rose and Nolan Ryan have something in common : only one of their Topps rookie cards has been graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA.
In 1963 Rose was in the company of three other players. The four portraits are as flying heads, each in a circle. His card was sold for $ 720K including premium by Heritage on August 27, 2016.
In 1968 the rookie card # 177 brought together two New York Mets pitchers, Jerry Koosman on the left and Nolan Ryan on the right. Ryan is rightly announced on the reverse as one of the most promising new Major League players.
This Gem Mint card was sold for $ 610K including premium by Heritage in the same 2016 sale as above, lot 80026. It is listed as lot 2 in the online sale by Goldin closing on August 22.
Today's collectors favor the rookies whose careers have been the most prestigious. Pete Rose and Nolan Ryan have something in common : only one of their Topps rookie cards has been graded Gem Mint 10 by PSA.
In 1963 Rose was in the company of three other players. The four portraits are as flying heads, each in a circle. His card was sold for $ 720K including premium by Heritage on August 27, 2016.
In 1968 the rookie card # 177 brought together two New York Mets pitchers, Jerry Koosman on the left and Nolan Ryan on the right. Ryan is rightly announced on the reverse as one of the most promising new Major League players.
This Gem Mint card was sold for $ 610K including premium by Heritage in the same 2016 sale as above, lot 80026. It is listed as lot 2 in the online sale by Goldin closing on August 22.
1969 Topps Card of Reggie Jackson
2021 SOLD for $ 1M including premium by Heritage
narrated post sale
Only one 1969 Topps rookie card of Reggie Jackson was rated Gem Mint 10 by PSA. It was sold for $ 115K by SCP on May 12, 2012 and for $ 1M including premium by Heritage on February 28, 2021, lot 80036. Jackson played in MLB from 1967 to 1987 and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1993.
The bidder is taking a risk. This card is not rare : 40 units have been graded Mint 9 by PSA. No one can prevent another Gem Mint coming out of a shoebox tomorrow.
This exceptional bid also pays tribute to a champion who has an strong personality and was in 1990 one of the modernizers of the trading card.
Upper Deck Company's ambition is to capture the baseball card market through spectacular innovations. Their first series was published in 1989. Reggie Jackson, recently retired from the game, appears on the brand's advertisements and participates in sponsored events.
All publishers like to add random bonuses in the boxes to increase the sales. In 1990 Upper Deck publishes a Reggie Jackson card of which he has the player sign 2,500 copies, 25 of which are also autographed with his nickname Mr October. The other cards of the same position bear an unnumbered facsimile signature. The launch ad is simple : Find the Reggie. The hobby is changed forever.
The bidder is taking a risk. This card is not rare : 40 units have been graded Mint 9 by PSA. No one can prevent another Gem Mint coming out of a shoebox tomorrow.
This exceptional bid also pays tribute to a champion who has an strong personality and was in 1990 one of the modernizers of the trading card.
Upper Deck Company's ambition is to capture the baseball card market through spectacular innovations. Their first series was published in 1989. Reggie Jackson, recently retired from the game, appears on the brand's advertisements and participates in sponsored events.
All publishers like to add random bonuses in the boxes to increase the sales. In 1990 Upper Deck publishes a Reggie Jackson card of which he has the player sign 2,500 copies, 25 of which are also autographed with his nickname Mr October. The other cards of the same position bear an unnumbered facsimile signature. The launch ad is simple : Find the Reggie. The hobby is changed forever.
