« Back to consignor stories

Recent Posts

Tagged The Hobby


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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

May 01 - 5 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Apr 06 - 2 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Dec 14 - 6 mins read

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.

Brian Dwyer in Consignor Stories

Dec 14 - 3 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

May 16 - 4 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

May 22 - 3 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Apr 06 - 2 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jul 24 - 3 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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Mar 14 - 5 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jan 19 - 4 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Jun 20 - 3 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Nov 10 - 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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Dec 09 - 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

The Force At Auction: Premier 1977 Topps Star Wars Set Comes to REA

Robert Mruczek has accumulated one of the world's top 1977 Topps Star Wars sets, with each card graded a PSA 9 or 10. Now, he's put it up for auction in REA's blockbuster Summer Catalog event.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jul 19 - 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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Sep 25 - 3 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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jun 14 - 5 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Jun 07 - 4 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Sep 29 - 6 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

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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Feb 22 - 4 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Apr 06 - 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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Apr 26 - 6 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

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

Q&A with Gordy Bonker, Host of Bonkers Cards

In this Q&A, Gordy Bonker talks about his passion for the hobby, his favorite vintage cards, and what it’s been like working with REA.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Sep 21 - 7 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

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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Apr 06 - 3 mins read

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.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

May 22 - 4 mins read

Q&A with REA: Adam Gray (TheReal27Guy)

Adam Gray, known across the hobby as TheReal27Guy, has been an avid collector for more than thirty years. In this Q&A with REA, he talks about his collecting journey, how he got started, and some of the exciting areas within the hobby that he’s keeping a close eye on.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Dec 22 - 4 mins read