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Memory Lane Auction Realizes $1.45 Million
The second-best 1962 Topps football card set known to exist sold for $54,667 in Memory Lane Inc’s Winter Classic Rarities auction that closed 
early Sunday morning.* The second-ranked set on PSA’s Set Registry generated 19 bids from buyers anxious to obtain a collection with a cumulative GPA of 8.279.* 1962 Topps football cards are extremely difficult to find in high grade because of their jet black borders, which make them susceptible to showing signs of wear.
Similarly, a black-bordered 1971 Topps Baseball set, ranked #4 on PSA’s Registry sold for $20,886 (8.19 GPA).
Overall, Memory Lane’s season-ending auction realized $1.45 million in winning bids for dozens of high grade and rare pieces of sports and non-sports cards and memorabilia.* The realized prices include a buyer’s premium.
“It was a great way to end the year,” said J.P. Cohen of Memory Lane.* “The bidding on the older sets was really strong but there was so much variety in this auction at so many different price points that a large num
ber of collectors were able to not only participate but win something nice.”
Among the other vintage card sets sold was a remarkable autographed 1951 Bowman baseball set that was purchased for $30,867.* Missing just one card (Don Bankhead), the 300+ cards in the set have all been graded by PSA as authentic while some carry an autograph grade.
A 1950 Topps Felt Backs set, sold minus the Joe Paterno “rookie” card brought $14,029.* Sold separately, the JoPa card issued during his days as a Brown University collegian was graded PSA 8 and sold for $8711.
A 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams rookie card, graded PSA 9 sold for $33,842 against a $10,000 starting bid.* A PSA 7-graded copy of the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle brought $26,700.
Memory Lane offered several condition sensitive #1 cards from vintage sets.* Collectors chased a 1934 Diamond Stars #1 Lefty Grove to the tune of $13,554 (PSA 7), a 1933 Goudey Sport Kings #1 Ty Cobb ($11,594 for a PSA
and a 1940 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #1 ($16, 975 for a PSA 8).
There is never a shortage of bidders for Babe Ruth cards and MLI offered a mini-horde of 1930s examples, all of which sold for strong prices.* All four Ruth cards from the 1933 Goudey set were represented including #149 ($6456/PSA 4), #53 (PSA 6/$6442), #144 (PSA 6/$6430) and #181 (PSA 5.5/$3897).
One card that is often on the want lists of advanced collectors is the 1954 Wilson Franks Ted Williams.* Memory Lane sold a solid example for $9582 in this auction.
Collectors gravitate toward unique, rare items and unopened pack collectors usually jump at the chance to own one of the best bubble gum packs around.* Few 1952 Topps packs have survived over the years, but Memory Lane offered a high grade example in this auction.* Graded GAI 8.5, the pack sold for $10, 940.
Memory Lane also offered two boxes of graded packs from a pair of the most sought-after modern era products.* A 1979 OPC hockey box with all 48 packs graded by GAI and, no doubt,* a Gretzky rookie or two hiding inside, sold for $11,900 while a 1986-87 Fleer basketball box of 36 that normally yields multiple Michael Jordan rookie cards went for $10,184.* One of MJ’s Fleer rookies was offered in the Winter Classics auction.* The PSA 10 beauty brought $6174.
Three ultra-rare display boxes were also sold to eager bidders.* A 1933 Sport Kings box brought $2318, a 1936 Goudey R322 box went for $1439 while a 1941 Double Play baseball box changed hands at $1308.
Football card collectors had an opportunity to bid on some high-grade 1948 Leaf cards, including a PSA 9 Johnny Lujack variation.* It sold for $9684 while the scarce Roy ‘Rebel’ Steiner brought $4850.* One of the better post-War cards, a 1966 Gale Sayers Philadelphia Gum rookie graded gem mint, brought $9819.
The sale took place just days after the death of Cubs’ legend Ron Santo.* Even if the Baseball Hall of Fame voters haven’t shown Santo Cooperstown-worthy respect, collectors love his 1961 Topps rookie card, especially in high grade.* One of the keys to a highly ranked registry set, a PSA 10 Santo offered by Memory Lane sold for $5467.
Memorabilia collectors looking for something both historic and unusual found a team document featuring the signature of Christy Mathewson. *In 1924, Mathewson was president of the Boston Braves and it is his autograph adorning an Edgar Padgett players contract.* Mathewson died just a year after it was signed.* The contract sold for $9582.
Next on the company’s docket is the second annual football only “Big Game Auction” set for February 6, 2011.** Memory Lane is taking consignments of high grade and rare football cards and memorabilia right now with the deadline set for January 4.* To consign, contact Memory Lane at 714-730-0600 or visit MemoryLaneInc.com.
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early Sunday morning.* The second-ranked set on PSA’s Set Registry generated 19 bids from buyers anxious to obtain a collection with a cumulative GPA of 8.279.* 1962 Topps football cards are extremely difficult to find in high grade because of their jet black borders, which make them susceptible to showing signs of wear.Similarly, a black-bordered 1971 Topps Baseball set, ranked #4 on PSA’s Registry sold for $20,886 (8.19 GPA).
Overall, Memory Lane’s season-ending auction realized $1.45 million in winning bids for dozens of high grade and rare pieces of sports and non-sports cards and memorabilia.* The realized prices include a buyer’s premium.
“It was a great way to end the year,” said J.P. Cohen of Memory Lane.* “The bidding on the older sets was really strong but there was so much variety in this auction at so many different price points that a large num
ber of collectors were able to not only participate but win something nice.”Among the other vintage card sets sold was a remarkable autographed 1951 Bowman baseball set that was purchased for $30,867.* Missing just one card (Don Bankhead), the 300+ cards in the set have all been graded by PSA as authentic while some carry an autograph grade.
A 1950 Topps Felt Backs set, sold minus the Joe Paterno “rookie” card brought $14,029.* Sold separately, the JoPa card issued during his days as a Brown University collegian was graded PSA 8 and sold for $8711.
A 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams rookie card, graded PSA 9 sold for $33,842 against a $10,000 starting bid.* A PSA 7-graded copy of the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle brought $26,700.
Memory Lane offered several condition sensitive #1 cards from vintage sets.* Collectors chased a 1934 Diamond Stars #1 Lefty Grove to the tune of $13,554 (PSA 7), a 1933 Goudey Sport Kings #1 Ty Cobb ($11,594 for a PSA
and a 1940 Play Ball Joe DiMaggio #1 ($16, 975 for a PSA 8).
There is never a shortage of bidders for Babe Ruth cards and MLI offered a mini-horde of 1930s examples, all of which sold for strong prices.* All four Ruth cards from the 1933 Goudey set were represented including #149 ($6456/PSA 4), #53 (PSA 6/$6442), #144 (PSA 6/$6430) and #181 (PSA 5.5/$3897).One card that is often on the want lists of advanced collectors is the 1954 Wilson Franks Ted Williams.* Memory Lane sold a solid example for $9582 in this auction.
Collectors gravitate toward unique, rare items and unopened pack collectors usually jump at the chance to own one of the best bubble gum packs around.* Few 1952 Topps packs have survived over the years, but Memory Lane offered a high grade example in this auction.* Graded GAI 8.5, the pack sold for $10, 940.Memory Lane also offered two boxes of graded packs from a pair of the most sought-after modern era products.* A 1979 OPC hockey box with all 48 packs graded by GAI and, no doubt,* a Gretzky rookie or two hiding inside, sold for $11,900 while a 1986-87 Fleer basketball box of 36 that normally yields multiple Michael Jordan rookie cards went for $10,184.* One of MJ’s Fleer rookies was offered in the Winter Classics auction.* The PSA 10 beauty brought $6174.
Three ultra-rare display boxes were also sold to eager bidders.* A 1933 Sport Kings box brought $2318, a 1936 Goudey R322 box went for $1439 while a 1941 Double Play baseball box changed hands at $1308.Football card collectors had an opportunity to bid on some high-grade 1948 Leaf cards, including a PSA 9 Johnny Lujack variation.* It sold for $9684 while the scarce Roy ‘Rebel’ Steiner brought $4850.* One of the better post-War cards, a 1966 Gale Sayers Philadelphia Gum rookie graded gem mint, brought $9819.
The sale took place just days after the death of Cubs’ legend Ron Santo.* Even if the Baseball Hall of Fame voters haven’t shown Santo Cooperstown-worthy respect, collectors love his 1961 Topps rookie card, especially in high grade.* One of the keys to a highly ranked registry set, a PSA 10 Santo offered by Memory Lane sold for $5467.
Memorabilia collectors looking for something both historic and unusual found a team document featuring the signature of Christy Mathewson. *In 1924, Mathewson was president of the Boston Braves and it is his autograph adorning an Edgar Padgett players contract.* Mathewson died just a year after it was signed.* The contract sold for $9582.
Next on the company’s docket is the second annual football only “Big Game Auction” set for February 6, 2011.** Memory Lane is taking consignments of high grade and rare football cards and memorabilia right now with the deadline set for January 4.* To consign, contact Memory Lane at 714-730-0600 or visit MemoryLaneInc.com.
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