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Rare Babe Ruth Rookie Card Sells for $7.2 Million Becoming Most Expensive Ruth Item Ever Sold

REA's Fall Auction was headlined by a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card that sold for $7.2 million, becoming the most expensive Babe Ruth item ever sold and the second-highest trading card sale ever at auction.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Dec 12 - 3 mins read

Vintage Classics and GOAT Rookies Lead REA November Encore Auction

REA's November Encore Auction was headlined by two of the hobby’s most iconic cards. A 1933 R319 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth SGC EX 5 sold for $37,200 and a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA POOR 1 sold for $32,400.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Nov 18 - 3 mins read

REA’s January Auction Headlined by 1952 Topps Mantle & Wide Selection of Hall of Famer Autographs

REA's January Auction was headlined by a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle SGC FAIR 1.5 that sold for $42,000, the second-highest price realized for the card in this SGC grade, along with 250+ signed pieces of memorabilia.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Jan 22 - 3 mins read

Boyhood Rediscovered: The Remarkable Hirsch Card Collection

The remarkable Hirsch collection includes numerous vintage cards, including dozens of signed examples. The collecting journey of Glenn and Mike Hirsch is the focus of our latest consignor story.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jul 25 - 4 mins read

Stunning Uncut Eight-Card 1941 Play Ball Panels Found at Pittsburgh Estate Sale Offered in REA Auction

The first part of a major discovery of hundreds rare uncut eight-card panels of 1941 Play Balls is coming up for sale in Robert Edward Auctions starting on November 18. Previously, only four-card strips were believed to exist.

Brian Dwyer in Consignor Stories

Dec 14 - 3 mins read

Strong Results in REA February Auction Led by Hall of Fame Classics and Set Builder Commons

REA's February Auction set several new records with the top seller being a 1910-1911 M116 Sporting Life Honus Wagner Blue Background PSA EX 5 that sold for $75,000, a new record for the blue-background version of the card.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Feb 19 - 3 mins read

REA’s Record-Breaking Fall Auction Led by Historic Sale of 1916 Morehouse Baking Babe Ruth Rookie

REA’s Fall Auction included numerous record-breaking sales, led by the first ever sale of the exceedingly rare and newly discovered 1916 M101-4/5 Morehouse Baking #151 Babe Ruth Rookie PSA VG+ 3.5 for $812,724. This was the first instance that an example of Ruth has been documented with this advertisement and presented for sale.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Dec 09 - 4 mins read

Collectibles and Investing: Q&A with Thomas Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP® - Founder & CEO of Destiny Family Office

Thomas Ruggie has been collecting sports cards and memorabilia for more than three decades. He’s also an accomplished investment advisor and the Founder & CEO of Destiny Family Office where he’s coupled his love for the hobby with his extensive knowledge of the investing landscape. In this fascinating Q&A, Tom takes us through his collecting journey and offers some sound insight into both the collectibles sector as well as how many of these pieces can become powerful investment assets.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Oct 23 - 6 mins read

The Thrill of the Chase: A Criminal Defense Attorney’s Set Collecting Adventures

David Glickfield's does not assemble just any sets. These are some of the best complete sets the hobby has ever seen. His numerous collections are featured in our Spring Auction and his journey is the focus of our latest consignor story.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Apr 05 - 4 mins read

The Unconventional Journey of the Rare 1924 Aguilitas Cigars Set From Cuba to Spain to REA

Every collector has a journey. For Victor Martinez, his journey led him to a full set of rare 1924-1925 Aguilitas Cigar cards that have traveled halfway around the world with him.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Apr 12 - 3 mins read

Early Babe Ruth Mementos with Incredible Provenance in REA Spring Auction

Friendships are among the most emotionally valuable things one can possess, and for one New England family, a friendship forged more than a century ago is now adding value monetarily as its early Babe Ruth mementos landed with REA for its Spring 2023 Auction.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Apr 14 - 4 mins read

REA’s October Auction Shatters Record for 1910 Sporting Life Wagner

REA's October Encore Auction brought in more than $1.4 million in sales across just over 3,500 lots. The highlight was a 1910-1911 M116 Sporting Life Honus Wagner Blue Background SGC EX+ 5.5 that sold for $72,000, a new record for the card in any grade!

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Oct 23 - 2 mins read

Grandson of Topps Co-Founder Consigns Original 1953 Topps Artwork with REA

One of the most unique pieces in REA's Summer Auction is 25 pieces of original artwork from the 1953 Topps set. Even better is that it's been consigned by the grandson of the co-founder of Topps and it's the focus of our latest consignor story.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Aug 04 - 5 mins read

Clemente Rookie Sells for Nearly $1 Million on 50th Anniversary while Ruth and Koufax Cards Set New Records in REA Spring Sale

REA closed its Spring 2023 Catalog Auction with multiple six-figure sales, most notably a 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie graded PSA 9 that sold for $960,000 during the year in which the 50th anniversary of his Baseball Hall of Fame induction as the first Latin American player is celebrated. A Sandy Koufax rookie from the same set, also graded PSA 9, sold for $384,000, only one bid shy of becoming the highest-selling Topps Koufax rookie of all-time.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Apr 24 - 4 mins read

Professional Partnerships: How REA and High-End Dealers Work Together To Maximize Value

Just Collect and REA are teaming up again to bring collectors a first-hand look at some of the hobby's most valuable items.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Mar 28 - 6 mins read

Q&A with Matt Strahm: A Conversation with Phillies Pitcher and Host of The Card Life

We recently spoke with Phillies pitcher, hobby enthusiast and host of The Card Life TV, Matt Strahm, who took us into some of the early days of his collecting, how becoming a Major Leaguer has impacted his love of the hobby, and some things we can look forward to from The Card Life TV in the near future.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Aug 09 - 4 mins read

New All-Time High for a Willie Mays Rookie and High-Grade Sets Highlight Record-Setting Summer Auction at REA

REA’s Summer Catalog Auction generated numerous records, led by a 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie PSA NM-MT+ 8.5 that sold for $390,935.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Aug 12 - 3 mins read

T206 Collection Preserved in an Old Barn for Decades Comes to REA

Our latest consignor story takes a look at a T206 collection that was hidden away in a barn only to be discovered decades later hidden in a small cigar box.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Oct 25 - 3 mins read

Come See Extremely Rare Babe Ruth Rookie Card in Baltimore

One of the world’s rarest and most revered baseball cards - the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth Rookie card - is coming to REA beginning November 17 and is expected to sell for upwards of $10 million or more.

PJ Kinsella in Press Release

Nov 07 - 3 mins read

The Last Baseball Scout: A Journey Through the Game's History

Game-used items can be incredible collectors items but also cherished memories of a long career in baseball. Such is the case for one consignor whose father was not only a baseball lifer but a true lover of the game. They're the focus of our latest consignor story.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Mar 14 - 5 mins read

High-Grade 1948-1949 Leaf Baseball Near-Complete Set Collected for 35 Years Lands with Robert Edward Auctions

Mike Ryan was the bravest of the brave throughout his long career as a Los Angeles fireman. He also showed determination when it came to completing not one but three 1948 Leaf Baseball sets over a 35-year span.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Apr 20 - 6 mins read

Shelly Goorfin’s Incredible Autograph Odyssey Lands at REA

Shelly Goorfin spent his life accumulating one of the most massive autograph collections in the hobby which included some of baseball’s most legendary players. His fascinating journey is the focus of our latest consignor story.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Feb 27 - 5 mins read

High-End Complete Sets and Vintage Staples Lead the Way in REA’s June Auction

High-grade set building was an overarching theme in REA’s June Encore Auction, with six complete graded sets finishing among the top ten items. The event generated just over $1.7 million in sales.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Jun 24 - 3 mins read

Binder of Dreams: One Man's Quest to Tame the T206 Monster

The T206 is the most famous sports card set in history. For collectors, completing the set is a lifelong mission but every path to get there is different, including Jason's.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Aug 08 - 4 mins read

Roberto Clemente: A Hero in Life and in The Hobby

Heroes come in all forms. For Carmelo, Roberto Clemente was a hero both in life and in the hobby. Now, two of his most treasured high-grade Clemente cards are up for auction with REA.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Aug 02 - 5 mins read

Vintage Set Breaks and High-Grade Complete Sets Top REA May Auction

Set building was a central theme among the top sellers in REA’s May Auction, as a trio of complete and near-complete classic baseball sets from the 1950s led the way. The highest-selling lot was a 1958 Topps near-complete set that sold for $126,000.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

May 20 - 3 mins read

From “Oh No” to Ohtani History: The One of One Shohei Rookie Card Journey

Following Shohei Ohtani's historic MVP season, the sky is the limit for this 1/1 PSA GEM MINT 10 rookie card that was returned to our consignor after a disgruntled buyer thought it was damaged. It wasn't. And by the time PSA finished grading it, it was slabbed a perfect GEM MINT 10.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Nov 25 - 4 mins read

1930s Goudey Collection Passed Down from Father to Daughter Finds Its Way to REA

Nancy Anderson's father told her that he had a substantial collection of 1930s Goudey cards that he'd be passing on to her. The collection not only included numerous Hall of Famers but several Ruth and Gehrig cards that carried some serious value.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Sep 05 - 4 mins read

Half a Century of Baseball Card Collecting Culminates at REA

For Ken Neill, collecting cards was not just a passion but a way of creating cherished memories with his entire family. He's the focus of REA's latest consignor story.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jan 25 - 5 mins read

The Catch: Willie Mays Game-Used Glove Stored Away for Half a Century Comes to REA

Imagine having a catch with Willie Mays while using his glove and then getting to keep it as a memento. For Ray Hardy, that fantasy became reality in 1967 and now his treasured Mays glove is up for auction with REA.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jul 12 - 5 mins read

A Cracker Jack Card Collection for the Ages Comes to REA

Cracker Jack cards, with their iconic red background and delicate paper stock, are ingrained in the fabric of baseball history. But as iconic as they are, it’s rare to find a collection of 1914 and 1915 Cracker Jacks like the one our consignor inherited. The collection is the focus of our latest consignor story.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Sep 25 - 4 mins read

REA’s September Auction Highlighted by Record-Setting Vintage and Strong Modern Results

REA's September Encore Auction saw several new records set, and was led by a 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson SGC NM/MT 8 that sold for $75,000.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Sep 23 - 3 mins read

Stolen Treasures: The Miraculous Return of a Lost Vintage Card Collection

A consignor who thought her godfather's vintage card collection had been lost forever had it miraculously returned to her. It's now been consigned to REA. This is the fascinating story of the treasure that was stolen then found its way home.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

May 22 - 5 mins read

Babe Ruth Game-Used Bat and Rare Joe Doyle Error Card Sell for $1.3 Million Each to Lead the Way in REA’s Record-Setting Summer Auction

REA's Summer Catalog Auction was headlined by two rare items that sold for $1.323 million each: a newly discovered 1909-1911 T206 White Border Joe Doyle error card graded SGC VG+ 3.5 and a Babe Ruth game-used bat graded PSA/DNA GU 10 photomatched to a game in 1923.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Aug 14 - 4 mins read

REA’s October Auction Led by Sales of Star Company Jordan Rookie and 1952 Topps Mantle

REA’s October Auction was led by two of the hobby’s iconic cards and players - a 1984-1985 Star Company Basketball #101 Michael Jordan Rookie PSA NM+ 7.5 and a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA VG+ 3.5 each sold for $93,000, with the sale of the Star Company Jordan rookie setting a new record for the card in that grade.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Oct 21 - 2 mins read

REA Spring Auction Blends Strong Results Across a Variety of Vintage & Modern

REA’s Spring Catalog Auction generated more than $15 million in sales with the top seller being a 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie PSA 9 that sold for $420,000. It was followed by a beautiful 1969-1970 Topps Basketball high-grade complete set ranked #4 on the PSA Set Registry with an 8.77 GPA that sold for an impressive $336,000.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Apr 22 - 3 mins read

Morehouse to Auction House: Exceptionally Rare Babe Ruth Rookie Heading to REA

The 1916 M101-4/5 Morehouse Baking Babe Ruth rookie card is exceptionally rare. In fact, REA's Fall Catalog Auction will be the first time an example of Ruth has been documented with this advertisement and presented for sale! Even more exciting is that this auction contains a collection of more than 100 newly discovered Morehouse Baking cards, including numerous Hall of Famers. Our latest consignor story details the fascinating discovery of this collection and how a family that lived mere miles from the Morehouse factory held it for years without knowing its value.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Nov 13 - 13 mins read