Collectors Corner^SM: The Collectibles Marketplace

Nov. 5-7, 2015, in Dallas; massive trading card prices; Brooks Robinson Collection set multiple world records

DALLAS, TX – When the Nov. 5-7, 2015 Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction at Heritage closed in the early morning hours of Nov. 8, realizing $11.9+ million in total prices realized, the house became the only sports memorabilia auctioneer to produce an eight-figure event in 2015.

“By the time 2015 is complete,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage, “Heritage will have more than doubled the 2015 sales of our closest competitor, both in terms of number of consignors and the number of bidders.  We are proud to provide unrivaled marketing, exposure, and prices for our clients and it is clear that the hobby has taken notice.”

The auction opened on Thursday night, Nov. 5, 2015, with a Trading Card session that accounted for more than $6.6 million overall, upending conventional pricing wisdom across the full spectrum.  The evidence was clear in the form of the $227,050 result for a PSA NM 7 example of Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps rookie as well as in the highest figure ever paid for Ty Cobb E90-1, a staggering $113,525.

Other noteworthy results included $57,360 for a PSA EX 5 example of a 1952 Topps Mantle, just over $43,020 for a 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig #92 graded PSA NM-MT 8 and $40,630 for a PSA Mint 9 representation of Nolan Ryan’s 1968 Topps rookie.

The Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 memorabilia session of the auction was anchored by The Brooks Robinson Collection, which garnered more than $1.44 million, proceeds of which will benefit the beloved Hall of Fame third baseman’s charitable endeavors.  Three lots topped the six-figure mark, with Robinson’s 1964 American League MVP Award taking top billing at $155,350.  Robinson’s World Championship rings of 1966 and 1970 realized $131,450 and $143,400 respectively.

The Andy Leff Hockey Collection, one of the most significant personal assemblies of hockey memorabilia ever assembled, enjoy its first of several appearances at Heritage in this auction, supplying advanced collectors with a dazzling array of game-used uniforms and gear from the biggest names in hockey, as well as the rings and trophies that punctuated their most glorious moments.  The offerings totaled, altogether, almost $700,000.

Highlights of The Andy Leff Collection included:

1967-69 Gordie Howe Game Worn Detroit Red Wings Jersey: Realized $77,635
1975 Bobby Orr Final Game Worn Jersey as a Member of the Boston Bruins: Realized $59,750
Circa 1953 Jean Beliveau Game Worn Montreal Canadiens Rookie-Era Jersey: Realized $45,410
1974-75 Conn Smythe Trophy Presented to Bernard Parent: Realized $45,410
1973 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup Championship Ring Presented to Yvan Cournoyer: Realized $21,510
1960 Maurice "Rocket" Richard Final Career Goal Puck, Scored in Stanley Cup Finals: Realized $20,315
1952-53 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup Championship Bowl Presented to Maurice Richard: Realized $17,925

Other auction highlights include, but are not limited to:

1996-97 Michael Jordan Game Worn & Signed Chicago Bulls Uniform: Realized $59,750
1910 E90-2 American Caramel Honus Wagner PSA EX-MT 6 – Pop One, None Higher: Realized $47,800
1948 Leaf Satchel Paige #8 SGC 84 NM 7 – Pop Four, One Higher: Realized $38,240
1957 Topps Bill Russell #77 PSA NM-MT 8: Realized $33,460
1965 Topps Joe Namath #122 PSA NM-MT 8: Realized $28,680
1970 Gold Glove Award from The Brooks Robinson Collection: Realized $54,970
Circa 1953 Jean Beliveau Game Worn Montreal Canadiens Rookie-Era Jersey: Realized $45,410
1963 San Diego Chargers AFL Championship Ring Presented to Head Coach Sid Gillman: Realized $43,020
Circa 1942 Frank Sinkwich Game Worn University of Georgia Bulldogs Jersey, 1942 Heisman Trophy Winner: Realized $31,070
1980 Robin Yount Game Used Fielder's Glove: Realized $28,680
1985 Michael Jordan Game Worn & Period-Signed Chicago Bulls Air Jordan I Rookie Sneakers: Realized $26,280

Heritage Auctions is the largest auction house founded in the United States and the world’s third largest, with annual sales of approximately $900 million, and 900,000+ online bidder members.  For more information about Heritage Auctions, and to join and receive access to a complete record of prices realized, with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit HA.com.