The recently concluded May 19, 2011 Mile High Card Company auction saw gross sales total an impressive $2,581,788.30 with an amazing 18,560 bids placed in the auction. Collectors from all over North America and beyond competed aggressively for the treasures contained within the 500-page catalog that featured an impressive 2300+ lots. MHCC President/CEO Brian Drent summed up the sale in a simple one-word answer, “stunning”, clearly in reference to the amount of interest and bidding activity in the auction. Drent continued “with the amount of bidding as well as the overall high end prices that we achieved in this sale, it is clearly a sign that our hobby has endured the tough times of the recession and emerged unscathed and in a truly healthy state”
As is the rule of thumb in most MHCC auctions, cardboard took center stage with some electrifying items selling for exceptional prices. Taking center stage were the following: A stunning 1909 E90-1 American Caramel nearly complete set 119/120 completely graded found a new home to the tune of $100,776.00 as well a significantly scarce 1888 Joseph Hall Cabinet of the New York Giants fetched an impressive $25,273.00, a stunning example of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson’s 1914 Cracker Jack card graded NM 7 by PSA commanded $54,848.00, while a 1933 Goudey #181 Babe Ruth graded NM/MT changed hands to the tune of $15,767.00, a 1933 Goudey #35 Al Simmons PSA 8.5 Nm/MT+ fetched an astounding $7,299.00, and a 1933 Goudey #148 Farrell PSA 8.5 NM/MT+ was hammered down at $6,302.00, a superlative example of Mickey Mantle’s 1952 Topps card graded NM+ garnered $54,037.00, as well several other cards performed to dizzying heights including a 1952 Topps #312 Jackie Robinson PSA 8 NM/MT which closed at $9,717.00, a 1954 Bowman #66 Ted Williams PSA 8 NM/MT which found a new home at the tune of $6,177, and a 1954 Dan Dee Mickey Mantle for $6,787.00, as well a 1960 Topps #350 Mickey Mantle sold for $7,538.00, and a 1969 Topps #480 Tom Seaver MINT 9 that performed well beyond pre auction estimates at $6,932.00.
Baseball wasn’t alone with the record prices as Basketball, Football and Hockey enjoyed like successes that were highlighted by the following: A 1935 National Chicle Football Complete Set ranked #8 on the PSA Set Registry was hammered down at $28,538.00, and a 1948 Leaf #34 Sammy Baugh PSA 8 NM/MT sold for $8,495.00, a 1952 Bowman Complete set that was completely PSA graded NM/MT 8 across the board sold individually for a cumulative total of $49,015.00, 1979-80 OPC #18 Wayne Gretzky graded GEM MINT $62,558.00, and an impressive $12,071.00 was paid for a 1940-41 OPC #108 Turk Broda graded MINT.
Memorabilia performed to exceptional levels as well with the following items being of particular note: A 1957 St. Louis Cardinals home full uniform of Stan Musial performed to the tune of $33,492.00, while an extraordinary panoramic photograph of the 1927 World Champion New York Yankees sold for $14,422.00, a stunning single signed OAL ball of Babe Ruth found a new home at $20,615.00, and an exceptionally strong signed photo of Babe Ruth to a former teammate graded PSA/DNA sold for $6,170.00.
According to Mile High Card Company founder and President, Brian Drent, “we had over 250 new and actively bidding registered users, which is more new customers than we’ve ever had for any particular auction. Our numbers were strong, sure, but I think that in itself is a good sign for the hobby. I know it’s definitely a good one for us.”
Mile High Card Company has distinguished itself among elite auction houses as a specialist in the sports card market, consistently realizing record-setting prices for the world’s finest sets and high-grade singles that, in many cases, far outdistance the competition. As a follow-up to this highly successful event, MHCC is currently planning a October 2011 premier catalog auction, and is actively seeking consignments. Continuing its successful Consignor Incentive Program, the top consignor to its Fall 2011 auction will receive a trip to the 2011 Super Bowl for two plus airfare. To consign your treasured material to the hobby’s most consistently reliable auction house, or to register with the company and receive free catalogs for future events, please visit www.milehighcardco.com or call Mile High Card Company directly at 303.840.2784 (8:00-5:00 MST M-F).
