Record prices for Hank Aaron cards

[pokerplyr80]

Am I the only one surprised to see a 1960 Topps Hank Aaron PSA 9 sitting at over 42k in the Memory Lane auction? A Mantle from the same year and grade, same auction, is sitting at less than 32k. A similar Aaron sold last month for "just" 19k.

There are quite a few high grade Aarons in this auction, and I'm pretty amazed by the prices of all of them. I have never heard of an Aaron card selling for that much more than a Mantle from the same year. Is there something I'm missing?

[arabiandrum]

The Aaron card is a known rarity, with only about eight cards gaining a PSA 9, while the Mantle has around 25-30, I believe, in 9. That said, there were just silly prices for several cards, especially many of the Aaron's -- even some that are not hard to find in 9. For example, the '71 Aaron went for over $14,000, plus the 20%. The '63 Aaron went for 9-10 thousand, and that card has been available for less than 3 thousand, quite recently. The'62 Mays they had in PSA 9 (granted, a very nice one) went for about $30,000 total, while one sold a couple of weeks ago on Ebay for less than $10,000. Apparently, Memory Lane has a few loyal, tunnel-visioned, very deep-pocketed and runaway-ego-laden people bidding. Guys who probably like the idea of wasting money, of smearing their importance in the faces of everyone else. It might make sense to tip-toe around Big Auctions, especially Memory Lane's, for awhile.

[MetsBaseball1973]

Memory Lane does attract a very high-end, well-heeled clientele.

I watched the 1953 Bowman Mantle PSA 8 that reached 18k all in, and the 1965 Mantle PSA 9 that reached 20k.

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by arabiandrum

The Aaron card is a known rarity, with only about eight cards gaining a PSA 9, while the Mantle has around 25-30, I believe, in 9. That said, there were just silly prices for several cards, especially many of the Aaron's -- even some that are not hard to find in 9. For example, the '71 Aaron went for over $14,000, plus the 20%. The '63 Aaron went for 9-10 thousand, and that card has been available for less than 3 thousand, quite recently. The'62 Mays they had in PSA 9 (granted, a very nice one) went for about $30,000 total, while one sold a couple of weeks ago on Ebay for less than $10,000. Apparently, Memory Lane has a few loyal, tunnel-visioned, very deep-pocketed and runaway-ego-laden people bidding. Guys who probably like the idea of wasting money, of smearing their importance in the faces of everyone else. It might make sense to tip-toe around Big Auctions, especially Memory Lane's, for awhile.

That makes sense with the difference in population. Although I attributed some of that to the fact that so many more Mantles have been submitted than Aarons. I didn't look up other years, but would assume this to be true in the them as well. Mantle's cards still sell for a significant premium in other sets and grades. Maybe that's about to change, or maybe two Aaron collectors just both really wanted these cards. Either way, I was surprised by the number of Aaron cards selling for 25k plus.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by arabiandrum

The Aaron card is a known rarity, with only about eight cards gaining a PSA 9, while the Mantle has around 25-30, I believe, in 9. That said, there were just silly prices for several cards, especially many of the Aaron's -- even some that are not hard to find in 9. For example, the '71 Aaron went for over $14,000, plus the 20%. The '63 Aaron went for 9-10 thousand, and that card has been available for less than 3 thousand, quite recently. The'62 Mays they had in PSA 9 (granted, a very nice one) went for about $30,000 total, while one sold a couple of weeks ago on Ebay for less than $10,000. Apparently, Memory Lane has a few loyal, tunnel-visioned, very deep-pocketed and runaway-ego-laden people bidding. Guys who probably like the idea of wasting money, of smearing their importance in the faces of everyone else. It might make sense to tip-toe around Big Auctions, especially Memory Lane's, for awhile.

Well said. Wall Street has taken over the high end.

[rjackson44]

peter more like the hollywood crowd ,,,

[Neal]

I knew of one collector, who had a very extensive/expensive collection, that would only deal with auction houses and well known dealers. He would not buy from eBay. Ever.

That said, the Aaron is a tough card to find centered. A thing of beauty it is as well .....

[MetsBaseball1973]

People with big money, whether they work on Wall Street or in Hollywood, can collect, too.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by rjackson44

peter more like the hollywood crowd ,,,

Maybe both but some of the (alleged) manipulation I see going on looks more like financial than Hollywood types.

[begsu1013]

.

[KCRfan1]

I know there will eventually be a trickle down to Aaron's lesser graded cards, but I hope it holds off a while as I continue to add his cards to my collection.

[MRSPORTSCARDCOLLECTOR]

Originally Posted by begsu1013

i think aaron cards have been undervalued and more importantly, under appreciated for quite some time.

so was only a matter of time in my opinion.

good for him!

I also have been noticing a lot of movement on Hank Aaron rookie cards on Ebay of late.

[JoeyFarino]

Its crazy what some people will pay based on the population report. I remember seeing a common 86-87 fleer basketball card in a psa 10 sell for like 6k just because there was only like a population of 2 10's.

[DeanH3]

Still feel the '54 Johnston Cookies is a hugely under-valued and under-rated card. Actually most Aaron cards in mid-grade can be great buys.

[Flintboy]

Makes me think that his 55 card will go up in value.........

[KCRfan1]

You are spot on Brian! Time to buy or get a '55 Aaron.