Chester, NJ - December 8, 2025 - The Fall Catalog Auction at REA concluded Sunday night and was led by a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle SGC NM 84 that sold for $369,000 and a signed 1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth PSA FAIR 1.5 (MK) that sold for $307,500. The unique "Sincerely/Babe Ruth" signature in black fountain pen across the front of this elusive card makes this one of the most interesting signed Bambino cards to come to auction in recent years and is now one of the highest sales of such an item.

Among the event’s top sales was a rare 1921 Koester Bread complete set in its original album that includes the set’s Babe Ruth card. It was found by a long-time antiques dealer at an old convenience store in New York earlier this year and sold for $190,650.

This signed 1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth was among the top sellers in the Fall Auction, selling for $307,500

Rounding out the top sales in REA’s final event of the year were a 1952 Topps Mantle SGC EX+ 5.5 that sold for $202,950, a 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #88 Christy Mathewson PSA GOOD+ 2.5 that sold for $190,650, and a 1914 E145 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb PSA EX 5 that sold for $166,050, all three of which are new records for each card in its respective grade.

The event included several other record-setting sales, including a 1933 R319 Goudey #106 Napoleon Lajoie PSA EX 5 that sold for $159,900, Joe DiMaggio’s 1934 and 1935 Zeenut PCL throwing and batting rookie (no coupon) cards - the first two cards ever issued of the Yankee Clipper - that sold for $119,925 and $116,850, respectively, and a 1935 R331 National Chicle Football #34 Bronko Nagurski Rookie SGC EX+ 5.5 that sold for $86,100. Each result is a new record for the card in its respective grade. 

Additionally, a 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie SGC MINT 9 sold for $159,900, setting a new record for the SGC grade.

Other notable sales from REA’s Fall Catalog Auction include:

• 1956 Topps #135 Mickey Mantle Gray Back PSA MINT 9 - $159,900
• 1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan Rookie SGC MINT+ 9.5 (MBA Silver Diamond) - $116,850
• 1909-1911 T206 White Border Cy Young Portrait PSA NM-MT 8 - $98,400
• Extremely Rare 1971 Topps Third Series Unopened Wax Box (BBCE) - $92,250
• 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie PSA NM 7 - $89,175
• Signed 1939 R334 Play Ball #92 Ted Williams Rookie PSA/DNA GEM MINT 10 - $89,175
• 1948-1949 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson Rookie PSA NM 7 - $86,100
• 1957-1958 Topps Basketball Complete Set (80): #14 PSA Set Registry (7.00 GPA) - $41,820
• 1969 Topps Football First Series Unopened Wax Box (BBCE) - $40,590
• 1939 D. C. Comics "Superman #1" CBCS 0.5 - $40,590

One of the most fascinating finds in the Fall Auction, this 1921 Koester Bread complete set in its original album, including the Babe Ruth card from the elusive set, sold for $190,650

“We’re very excited about both the strong results across this event as well as the number of new records that were set, particularly among the top sales,” said REA President Brian Dwyer. “This is a testament once again to the incredible material that our consignors continue to bring us and a great sign that the hobby remains strong at the end of another milestone year for collectibles.”

REA’s first event of 2026 will be its January Auction that will run from January 8-18. 

The REA Marketplace continues to add a variety of cards, memorabilia, Americana and other non-sports collectibles and currently has nearly 2,400 different items available for immediate purchase.

About REA

REA is one of the leading auction houses in the US specializing in sports and non-sports cards and memorabilia. Through its signature approach to collectibles, REA has established a reputation as the industry benchmark through its unparalleled and unwavering commitment to integrity, knowledge and trust. For more than 30 years, REA has brokered some of the most lucrative sales and handled some of the most coveted pieces of sports memorabilia in the hobby’s history, including the historic sales of the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card for $7.2 million in December 2023 and the T206 Honus Wagner card for $6.6 million in August 2021, a record-setting price at the time. In July 2023, the Company acquired Huggins & Scott Auctions. In March 2025, the company launched its Fixed Price Marketplace that currently features 2,400+ items available in a “buy now” model. For more information, visit https://collectrea.com/ and follow REA on Instagram, TikTok, X, and Facebook. You can also contact us and request our auction catalog by emailing [email protected]. 

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