June 2, 2025
For Immediate Release
STAHL-MEYER MANTLE PACES $5.2 MILLON MEMORY LANE SALE
The best-known example of one of Mickey Mantle’s rarest baseball cards sold for $231,484 as Memory Lane closed out its annual Spring Rarities Auction.
The 1954 Stahl-Meyer PSA 8 stands as the best on any grading company’s population report and is one of only 24 ever graded by PSA.
The cards were originally inserted into the east coast meat company’s hot dog packages but the card offered by Memory Lane escaped the usual stains and general wear associated with nearly all of the other known copies.
As always, Mantle items were popular with bidders. A PSA 8 1953 Topps card sold for $75,808 while a ticket stub from Mantle’s first major league game in April 1951 netted $41,903 even in low grade, and a 1954 Dan-Dee Potato Chips Mantle graded 7 by PSA, reached $16,538.
Early 20th-Century Cards and Premiums Shine
The auction featured several rare pre-war items that drew a large contingent of bidders. A 1915 Cracker Jack #30 Ty Cobb PSA 5 sold for $65,005, and a Zack Wheat PSA 8 reached $10,010, reflecting the high demand for well-preserved cards from the iconic set.
Similarly, a 1913 T200 Fatima Cleveland Americans Team Premium featuring Joe Jackson brought $25,424, while a Pittsburgh Nationals Team Premium with Honus Wagner fetched $17,765. These early tobacco-era premiums remain highly sought after for their rarity and historical significance.
The 1933 Goudey set, a cornerstone of baseball card collecting, was well represented in the catalog with dozens of cards offered. A PSA 7 copy of the #1 card in the set, Benny Bengough, sold for $17,118, while a PSA 8 #3 Hugh Critz achieved $21,494 and a #52 Andy Cohen PSA 7 realized $20,432.
Other notable Goudey sales included a #5 Babe Herman (PSA 8) at $8,287 and a #229 Arky Vaughan (PSA 7.5) at $7,878, as collectors took advantage of the rare chance to buy high-grade examples from the 92-year-old set.
Post-War and Modern Highlights
Post-war cards also saw significant interest, with a 1955 Topps #50 Jackie Robinson PSA 9 selling for $58,961, a 1962 Topps #300 Willie Mays PSA 8.5 landing at $37,934 and a 1968 Topps #177 Nolan Ryan rookie PSA 8.5 selling for $31,986.
Memory Lane offered a large group of high-grade cards from the ever-popular 1952 Topps set and they didn’t disappoint with a trio of PSA 9s fetching five-figure amounts:
Other notable post-war sales included a 1952 Topps #295 Phil Cavarretta PSA 8.5 selling for $11,534 and one of the 43 PSA 10 1981 Topps Nolan Ryan cards that sold for an eye-popping $12,134.
Some 1970s rookie cards also performed well, with 1974 Topps #252 Dave Parker (PSA 10) achieving $25,331 and a 1975 Topps Mini #623 Keith Hernandez (PSA 10) selling for $7,878.
Vintage basketball card collectors chased a 1957 Topps Tommy Heinsohn rookie (PSA 8.5) that wound up netting $30,768.
Unique Ephemera and Non-Baseball Items
Beyond trading cards, the auction featured unique pieces of sports history. A circa 1920s Babe Ruth Ice Cream Baseball advertising postcard, graded PSA 2.5, sold for $67,457.
A Lou Gehrig Goudey Knot Hole League of America framed item also drew strong interest, selling for $46,198.
A 1919 Chicago Cubs Tommy McCarthy-endorsed cancelled check, authenticated by PSA/DNA, fetched $27,308.
Football and other sports were represented as well. A 1972 Topps #200 Roger Staubach Rookie card, graded PSA 9, sold for $25,676, while a 1964 Kahn’s Wieners #49 Johnny Unitas, graded PSA 10 brought $17,300. A 1933 Sport Kings #38 Bobby Jones PSA 6 realized $6,838.In all, the auction of over 1,700 lots brought in nearly $5.2 million in sales. Memory Lane is now accepting Summer Auction Consignments, memorylaneinc.com or phone 877.606.LANE (5263).
