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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

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

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

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

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

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

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 March Auction Shatters Multiple Vintage Card Records

REA's March Encore Auction set multiple new records, bringing in more than $1.3 million.

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Mar 25 - 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

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

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 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.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

Apr 06 - 3 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

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

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

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

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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Q&A With REA

May 30 - 6 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

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

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

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.

PJ Kinsella in Consignor Stories

Jan 19 - 5 mins read

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

PJ Kinsella in Auction Recap

Apr 06 - 2 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

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

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

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

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

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

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