Recent Posts
Tagged Sports Memorabilia
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.
From Courtside to Auction: Ball Boy's Incredible Game-Worn NBA Sneaker Collection Anchored by Jordan Rookie Air Ships
As a ball boy for the Detroit Pistons in the 1980s, Jason Edelmann compiled an incredible game-worn NBA sneaker collection headlined by a pair of Nike Air Ships worn by Michael Jordan during his 1984 rookie season, along with 21 other pairs in our Spring Auction. It's all part of our latest consignor story.
Stephen Wong and the "Baseball: America’s Home Run” Exhibition at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum
Baseball: America's Home Run is a unique exhibit at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum that examines the rich history of baseball. One of the contributors to this exhibit is long-time collector Stephen Wong, who has created a great content series examining the magnitude of all of these historic items.
Examining Memorabilia From the K.C. Jones Estate Through the Career of an NBA Legend
Hall of Famer K.C. Jones has one of the most impressive resumes in all of sports, with twelve championships spanning his career as a player and coach. REA’s Summer Auction features several items from his illustrious career, headlined by a 1981 Boston Celtics NBA Championship ring presented to him as an assistant coach.
Goudeys and Rare Unopened Boxes Headline a Banner March Auction for Robert Edward Auctions
Robert Edward Auctions (“REA”), the premier auction house specializing in sports memorabilia and trading cards in the US, closed its March Encore Auction on Sunday headlined by the sales of several 1933 Babe Ruth Goudeys, Lew Alcindor’s 1969 Topps rookie in a PSA NM+ 7.5 and multiple baseball and football unopened wax and cello boxes. The auction, which ran from March 9-19, surpassed $1.2 million and had more than 58,000 bids across nearly 3,400 items.
Turning a Sports Memorabilia Passion into a Profession
Sports memorabilia and card collecting is one of America's most beloved pastimes. Tim Gallagher took his lifelong love of the hobby and turned it into a career.
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.
Rescued From an Attic, Massive 19th Century Card Album Heads to Auction
A Delaware woman was cleaning out her mother’s house and found a well-worn leather album filled with 1,300 trading cards from the late 1800s. After considering going to a local shop and consulting with a professional appraiser, she decided to consign with REA.
Father’s Sports Card Collection Protected for Decades in Ammo Cans Heads to REA
After Sander Halet's stepfather passed away, he and his wife found ammo cans containing a treasure trove of sports cards and memorabilia that had been stored away for decades. Little did they know how valuable some of the items really were.
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.
Robert Edward Auctions May Event Sets Multiple Records from 1941 Play Ball DiMaggio to 1967 Topps Bobby Orr
REA's May Auction brought in more than $1.52 million in sales and was highlighted by a 1941 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio SGC NM/MT 8 that set a new SGC record for the grade at $90,000.
Robert Edward Auctions Kicks off 2023 with Strong January Auction Headlined by Jordan Rookie and Signed Mays
Robert Edward Auctions (“REA”), the premier auction house specializing in rare sports memorabilia and trading cards, completed its January 2023 Encore Auction Sunday night with more than 3,000 items tallying over $1.1 million. A staggering 59,510 bids were placed by a record number of different bidders for an Encore Auction. The auction, REA’s first of the year, was headlined by the sale of a 1986 Fleer Basketball #57 Michael Jordan Rookie graded PSA MINT 9 for $17,400 along with a signed 1952 Topps #261 Willie Mays graded a Fair 1.5 by PSA with a NM 7 signature at $16,800.
One in a Hundred: Attendee of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-Point Game Brings Ticket and Signed Program to REA
Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in March 1962 was a historic day for the basketball world. It was also a historic day for a young couple on one of their first dates. The family has now put the signed program and ticket from that legendary game in REA's Summer Auction.
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.
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.
REA’s March Auction Shatters Multiple Vintage Card Records
REA's March Encore Auction set multiple new records, bringing in more than $1.3 million.
The Quest to Complete the Legendary 1935 National Chicle Football Set Lands with REA
Steve Asch assembled one of the most robust 1935 National Chicle Football sets. After years of collecting, the set will be a prominent part of REA's Spring 2023 Catalog Auction.
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.
Hockey Collector Teams up with Robert Edward Auctions to Sell Card Collection Spanning Nine Decades
Leonard Witman spent 37 years building his hockey card collection which spans nine decades from the 1910s to the 1990s. After nearly four decades, he's working with REA to auction most of his immense collection.
REA Closes Another Record-Setting Auction with Completion of June Event Surpassing $1 Million Mark
REA wrapped up its June Encore Auction on June 18 which brought in more than $1.25 million in sales, the third consecutive Encore Auction that exceeded that figure.
Ode to Unsealed Wax: Exploring Vintage Sports Card Collections
Unopened trading card boxes are the staple of many collections. For consignor Josh, it was the sole focus of his collecting for years. He's the focus of REA's latest consignor story.
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.
REA to Auction Signed 1928 Bobby Jones Golf Ticket Found in Grandpa’s Drawer
Mark Kelly was rummaging through an old desk drawer and found a holy relic no-one in his family, including his mother, had ever seen before. It was a beautiful ticket from a 1928 “special exhibition match” signed by four of the greatest golfers of all-time: Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, and Johnny Farrell.
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.
REA Q&A with Michael Osacky (Baseball in the Attic)
Michael Osacky is a lifelong collector who has been able to turn his passion into a career. He is the lead appraiser for PSA and is a member of the International Society of Appraisers. He recently took the time to speak with REA about his passion and experience in the hobby.
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!
1952 Topps Mantle Headlines Record-Setting Night in REA’s Loaded September Auction
REA's September Auction brought in nearly $1.7 million in sales after almost 73,000 bids were placed, headlined by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 2.5 that sold for $49,200, a new record for this SGC grade.
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.
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.
Passion for Boxing Cards Uncovers Unbelievable Family Connection to Multiple Fighting Legends
In his 20s, Adam Warshaw was introduced to boxing cards. It uncovered a new passion as well as an incredible family lineage that he was completely unaware of up to that point.
Q&A with REA: The Sports Card Dad
Dustin Cooley launched The Sports Card Dad channel in 2020, and has become a trusted voice across the hobby ever since. He recently sat down with us to discuss his collecting journey, how to get younger collectors involved and future plans for his channels in this Q&A with REA.
From Ali to Jordan to Nadal: The Extraordinary Collections of Ronnie Paloger
Ronnie Paloger has assembled some of the finest collections in the hobby, from Muhammad Ali to Rafael Nadal to Michael Jordan. Our latest Consignor Story explores his fascinating journey and what historic collections he's working on now.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Q&A with REA: Matt Clark, Operations Director at REA
In this Q&A with REA, Operations Director Matt Clark talks about the growth of REA, the industry and what excites him as both a professional and a collector.
Q&A with REA: A Conversation with Sports Writer Joe Posnanski
Joe Posnanski is one of the most recognizable names in American sports journalism, having spent years covering baseball, football and even the Olympic Games for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, MLB.com and MLB Network, among others. He also runs his own website, JoeBlogs, which details many of his experiences as a national sports reporter. Most recently, he contributed to the upcoming documentary The Diamond King that explores the history of baseball through the works of legendary baseball artist Dick Perez. Joe was kind enough to sit down with REA for this Q&A to discuss his expansive career, the evolving sports landscape and his sports Mount Rushmore.
A Lifelong Love of Boxing and the Assembly of a Diverse Collection
One collector's love of collecting started with stamps and stickers. But watching boxing matches in the late 60s and 70's got him hooked on the sport and into the hobby where he has amassed a fantastic collection of boxing cards and memorabilia ranging from the late 1800s to the mid-1950s.
Q&A with REA: Dylan Dittrich, Altan Insights
Dylan Dittrich is the Head of Research at Altan Insights and author of Sneakonomic Growth: Scarcity, Storytelling, and the Arrival of Sneakers as an Asset Class. He and his team provide data and quantitative analysis across more than 20 collectible asset classes, helping investors and collectors to make more informed decisions about how this fascinating market is evolving. In this Q&A, Dylan shines some light on some of Altan’s recent findings, how he got into the hobby and what we should expect moving forward.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Q&A with Brian Dwyer, President of Robert Edward Auctions
Brian took the leadership reins of REA in 2016 and has grown the Company substantially during that time, expanding from just a couple of auctions per year to almost one a month. In this deep-dive, he talks about his lifelong passion for the hobby, how he sees the trading card and sports memorabilia markets evolving, and some of the most valuable and unique items he’s ever handled.
Iowa Farmer Selling Massive Unopened Collection He Has Harvested
Kurt Christensen is a sixth-generation farmer in the Spencer, Iowa. To feed his 2,000+ cattle he grows a lot of corn. But on the side, he has accumulated one of the country’s biggest sports and non-sports card collections.
Robert Edward Auctions Completes Fall 2022 Auction with Multiple Items Exceeding $100K
Robert Edward Auctions (“REA”), the premier auction house specializing in rare baseball cards and sports memorabilia in the US, completed its Fall 2022 Auction with total bidding exceeding $13 million, including ten items surpassing the $100K bidding mark
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.
The Coach's Son: A Journey Through Alabama Football's Golden Era
Ken Donahue spent nearly four decades coaching college football, most notably as an assistant coach under Paul "Bear" Bryant. His son has consigned his championship rings and other items from his illustrious career as part of REA's Spring Auction. They are the focus of our latest consignor story.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Robert Edward Auctions’ February Auction Led by Sales of Ruth, Mahomes and a Record-Breaking Gehrig Goudey
Robert Edward Auctions (“REA”), the premier auction house specializing in sports memorabilia and trading cards in the US, finished its February 2023 Encore Auction on Sunday evening, with its top seller being a 1933 R319 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth graded a VG 3 by PSA at $15,600, followed by Wilt Chamberlain’s 1961 Fleer Basketball Rookie card in a PSA NM 7 that sold for $12,000. A Lou Gehrig 1934 R320 Goudey #37 in an SGC VG/EX 4 sold for $11,700 (a record price for an SGC 4), while a Patrick Mahomes 2017 Panini Origins Football Jumbo Patch Autograph Rookie card and a 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle in an SGC EX/NM 6 rounded out the top five, both selling for $10,800.
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.
Q&A with Dick Perez: The Original Diamond King
Dick Perez is the focus of the upcoming documentary The Diamond King that will explore the history of baseball through his works. In this Q&A with REA, Dick opens up about his journey as an artist and this film that will combine two of his greatest passions - baseball and art.