A brick containing eight unopened 1952 Topps baseball cards fetched $1,107,000 at a recent auction, establishing a new record for such a set.
A Rare Brick Sets a New Benchmark
Only three bricks of the 1952 Topps unopened set are known to exist, and the one sold by REA became the most valuable example, underscoring the scarcity that drives collector demand.
REA’s Summer Auction overall generated more than $18 million, a figure that reflects the growing financial significance of high‑grade sports memorabilia.
Other Record‑Breaking Items
The sale also featured a 1962 Topps Willie Mays PSA MINT 9 card that realized $369,000, a 1954 Ernie Banks rookie that topped $215,250, and Ty Cobb cards that each exceeded $180,000, among several other high‑grade pieces that set individual price marks.
REA President Brian Dwyer described the event as one of the most energetic auctions in recent years, noting a record influx of new bidders eager to participate in the market.
The surge in prices for sealed wax packs, graded rookie cards and historic sets signals a sustained appetite for pristine sports artifacts, a trend that appears poised to continue as collectors seek both financial and nostalgic value.