Babe Ruth Rookie Card Fetches $200,000 as Baseball Collectibles Auction Totals a Record $8.7 Million in Sales

Auction was the most successful multi-consignor baseball collectible auction in history.

Watchung, NJ (PRWEB) May 30, 2007 -- A 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card fetched $200,000 at the recent Robert Edwards Auction (REA) held on April 28, 2007. The card was consigned by a non-collecting family from Providence, Rhode Island. The grandfather, who passed away in 1985, was a casual collector who had a small vintage card collection he assembled mostly from frequenting flea markets. The collection, which had been kept in storage since 1985, included the Ruth rookie. Just prior to contacting REA for consignment and auction, the family came very close to selling the heirloom outright to a dealer who offered $8,000. Theyre glad they waited.

The overall auction results were just as stunning. Record prices were reached across the board, and sales totaled a staggering $8.7 million dollars. It is hard to put into words the success of this auction," said REA president Robert Lifson. Everything went perfect. In many ways, this was the single most successful baseball auction in the history of the collecting world."

said REA president Robert Lifson. Everything went perfect. In many ways, this was the single most successful baseball auction in the history of the collecting world.

The total of $8.7 million in sales for the auction set a new world record for a multi-owner all-consignment baseball card and memorabilia auction. In fact, the $8.7 million dollar auction total is also a new record for single day sales at a baseball card and memorabilia auction, surpassing the previous record of $7.5 million set by REA in 2006.

The auction also included the renowned Barry Halper Estate Collection, and a recently rediscovered 1838 Olympic Constitution, previously known to exist but which had been lost to the collecting world for decades. The Olympic Constitution sold for $141,000, setting a record price not just for any baseball publication, but a record price for any sports related publication of any kind. The Barry Halper Estate Collection, consigned directly from the Halper family and comprised of the small collection" of items that Barry Halper kept for his personal enjoyment during his retirement from collecting," was offered in 247 lots and realized $1.4 million dollars. The Halper baseball film library alone (reserve $2,500) sold for $117,500.

Significant baseball card auction highlights include: A 1952 Topps set (reserve $50,000), entirely graded by PSA, sold for $164,500. An impressive collection of 403 1886-1889 Old Judge tobacco cards in varying conditions, with a reserve of $10,000, sold for an incredible $111,625. A complete set of T206 White Border tobacco cards in varying condition (reserve $10,000, estimate $20,000/$30,000) sold for $105,750. The 1953 Bowman set (which was entirely graded by PSA, with an SMR value of $65,000 and a reserve of $25,000, sold for an amazing $94,800.

Overall, the auction sale was the most successful auction in Robert Edward Auctions 37-year history. Thousands of bidders from all over the world, primarily the U.S. but also including Europe, Japan, and Hong Kong, participated. Exactly 24,470 bids were placed and over 99% of the lots sold.

Further information and complete auction results are available online at www.RobertEdwardAuctions.com. Copies of the 680-page full-color premium catalog are also still available free here, simply fill in your name and address. Robert Edward Auctions is currently assembling its next sale. For further information contact: Robert Edward Auctions, PO Box 7256, Watchung, NJ or call (908)-226-9900.

About Robert Edward Auctions
Robert Edward Auctions, LLC is one of the worlds leading specialty auction houses, devoted exclusively to the sale of rare baseball cards, memorabilia, and Americana.

Contact Robert Edward Auctions:
1-908-226-9900
www.RobertEdwardAuctions.com

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