5-cent vintage wax pack brings $48K during trading card auction
Wax packs and an entire box of O-Pee-Chee wax cards, issued between 1979 and 1989, were among the featured lots to generate a bidding battle during Heritage Auctions’ July 19-20 Sports Trading Card auction.
DALLAS – The delectable combination of “old” and “new” paid huge dividends for consignors to Heritage Auctions’ Sports Trading Cards Auction July 19-20, as a fresh array of material inspired towering bids from an eager collecting audience.
Fresh-to-Market Mantle Card
A new-to-the-hobby find of high-grade 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards added over a quarter million to the tally with a NM+ 7.5 example bringing $204,000, while a PSA EX 5 example from the same find commanded $72,000. An unopened 5-cent wax pack from that same issue, graded PSA NM 7, commanded an astonishing $48,000.
“For those wondering if Topps’ first great issue might be losing steam in its long pricing ascent, this auction clearly puts the concern to rest,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions for Heritage. “We’re thrilled to have more 1952 Mantles from that amazing recent find appearing at auction in the coming months.”
Wax Packs Draw Interest
High-grade wax was another successful theme, as a 1979-89 O-Pee-Chee wax box, beloved for its possible containment of a Wayne Gretzky rookie, realized $55,200, and an unopened case of 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Basketball drew $66,000. In addition, a rare1971 Topps Football Series 2 Wax Box closed at $28,800.
The pantheon figures likewise exhibited enduring strength, as a 1915 Boston Red Sox Real Photo Postcard picturing Babe Ruth sold for $108,000, and the finest known example of Muhammad Ali’s 1960 Hemmets Journal rookie card drew a winning bid of $90,000.
Additional Highlights
- $43,200: 1968 Topps Mickey Mantle #280, PSA Gem Mint 10
- $31,200: 1909-11 E90-1 American Caramel Joe Jackson, PSA Authentic
- $28,800: 1909 E102 "Set of 25" Ty Cobb, PSA EX-MT 6 - Pop Two, highest PSA grade recorded
- $19,200: 1887-90 N172 Old Judge Roger Connor (#88-4), PSA NM-MT 8 - the highest graded Connor N172
- $18,000: 1902-11 W600 Sporting Life Type 3 Cabinet Cy Young, PSA EX 5
- $10,200: 1974 Topps Baseball 10-Cent Wax Box With 36 Unopened Packs
For more information, visit www.ha.com.
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