A 1953 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle proved once again why it remains one of the hobby’s most iconic post-war baseball cards, leading the latest auction results in the Sterling Sports Auctions June 25, 2026 auction, with a PSA 5 example realizing $4,700. The colorful Bowman issue continues to be one of the most sought after Mantle cards outside of his legendary 1952 Topps rookie, attracting 14 competitive bids before closing as the event’s top lot.
Following closely behind was another standout from the same celebrated 1953 Bowman Color set, as Pee Wee Reese’s PSA 7 example sold for $3,133. The Hall of Fame shortstop’s beautifully centered high grade card demonstrated the continued strength of premium Hall of Fame material, giving the Bowman issue a clean sweep of the auction’s top two prices.
Vintage tobacco cards once again showed impressive depth throughout the sale, with numerous scarce T206, Old Judge, T205, Cracker Jack, and regional issues finding eager bidders. Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle, Walter Johnson, Stan Musial, Pete Rose, Ernie Banks, Jimmie Foxx, and Chief Bender all appeared among the highest realizations, illustrating the broad demand collectors continue to show for quality vintage baseball cards across multiple eras.
Top Auction Results:
- Lot #1 1953 Bowman Color #59 Mickey Mantle PSA 5 – $4,700
- Lot #5 1953 Bowman Color #33 Pee Wee Reese PSA 7 – $3,133
- Lot #2 1886-87 N172 Old Judge John Clarkson SGC 1.5 – $2,410
- Lot #8 1909-11 T206 Joe Tinker (Bat On) Tolstoi SGC 5 – Highest Graded – $2,410
- Lot #9 1953 Bowman Color #32 Stan Musial PSA 7 – $2,169
- Lot #4 1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson American Beauty SGC 1 – $2,049
- Lot #10 1962 Topps #200 Mickey Mantle PSA 6 – $1,928
- Lot #20 1963 Topps Near Set (569/576 Cards) – $1,687
- Lot #16 1909-11 T206 Frank Chance Yellow Portrait Cycle PSA 2.5 (460 Series) – $1,446
- Lot #12 1957 Topps #55 Ernie Banks PSA 8 – $1,446
- Lot #99 1911 T205 Red Murray Piedmont PSA 6 – $1,326
- Lot #13 1933 Worch Cigars Jimmie Foxx SGC 40 (Name in Box) – $1,205
- Lot #6 1963 Topps #537 Pete Rose Rookie PSA 2 – $1,145
- Lot #17 1912 T227 Chief Bender Miners Extra SGC 2 – $1,085
- Lot #18 1909-11 T206 Bernhard Hindu Cigarettes PSA 2.5 (Southern League) – $1,085
Complete auction results can be found at https://www.sterlingsportsauctions.com/catalog.aspx.
1953 Bowman Color #59 Mickey Mantle PSA 5 – Sold for $4,700
