The $478,000 1952 Topps Willie Mays and 14 Other Big Heritage Auctions Vintage Baseball Sales

By Ryan Cracknell | Hobby Editor

At this point, to say that the high-end vintage market is hot would be redundant. Records for blue-chip cards continue to fall. Among the latest — a PSA 9 1952 Topps Willie Mays. It sold for $478,000 during Heritage Auctions’ May 12-14 Sports Catalog Auction.

It was one of six vintage baseball card lots that hit six figures. A pair of 1952 Topps Mickey Mantles were also sold for big prices. The first was an SGC 84 copy that hit $215,000 including the buyer’s premium. A PSA 6 1952 Mantle sold for $107,550. In between those prices was a PSA 8 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card that went for $167,300.

Among the early rarities were a PSA 2 1916 Famous & Barr Co. Babe Ruth ($89,625) and SGC 60 1902-11 Sporting Life Honus Wagner ($83,650).

Below is a breakdown of the top 15 vintage baseball card sales from the Heritage Auctions sale.

Top 15 Vintage Baseball Card Sales at Heritage Auctions’ May, 2016 Sale

All prices include the buyer’s premium.

1. 1952 Topps Willie Mays PSA 9 – $478,000

2. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 84 – $215,000

3. 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle RC PSA 8 – $167,300

4. 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente RC PSA 8 – $131,450

5. 1909-11 T206 White Borders SGC-Graded Set – $108,147.50

6. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 6 – $107,550

7. 1916 Famous & Barr Co. Babe Ruth PSA 2 – $89,625

7. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #149 SGC 92 – $89,625

7. 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax RC PSA 8.5 – $89,625

10. 1902-11 Sporting Life Honus Wagner – Street Clothes SGC 60 – $83,650

10. 1932 U.S. Caramel Babe Ruth PSA 8 – $83,650

12. 1951 Bowman Willie Mays RC PSA 8 – $77,943.88

13. 1971 Topps Baseball 4th Series Box with 24 packs – $77,675

14. 1953 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $59,750

15. 1957 Topps Frank Robinson RC PSA 9 – $57,360

Comments? Questions? Contact Ryan Cracknell on Twitter @tradercracks.