If you’re a collector with a taste for baseball’s glory days or a modern hobbyist chasing graded rookies, Steve Novella’s latest online auction, running through May 1, is your playground. This auction is stacked to the rafters with vintage gems, including nine T206 Hall of Fame cards such as Walter Johnson, Nap Lajoie, and Christy Mathewson—each steeped in the lore of America’s pastime and all graded by PSA or SGC, so you know what you’re bidding on.
For those who swoon over pristine condition, Novella offers a parade of post-War icons at high grades: a PSA 8 1949 Gil Hodges Bowman rookie, 1955 and 1957 Ted Williams cards, not to mention a tough-to-find Sandy Koufax 1957 Topps at PSA 8. Collectors piecing together the harder sets will also find top-tier Don Drysdale, Hank Aaron, Duke Snider, and Mickey Mantle cards, including a 1952 Bowman Mantle (PSA 6) that’s a perfect follow-up to his famed 1951 rookie.
But the auction isn’t locked in the past. Modern-era fans aren’t left out, with high-grade 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. (BGS 9.5), a sleek 1993 SP Foil Derek Jeter rookie (PSA 8.5), and a 1994 Upper Deck Mantle autograph card with a perfect 10 grade. Basketball buffs also score with a 1985 Star Company Gatorade Michael Jordan card graded BGS 9—proof that Novella’s sale casts a wide, winning net for sports card lovers.
Held on eBay, this auction blends accessibility with rarity, inviting bidders from every level to snag cards that span the history of sport. Whether you’re chasing a piece of baseball immortality or modern icons, this curated lineup is a once-a-year kind of deal that reminds us why we love collecting: the thrill of the chase and the stories these cards carry along for the ride.
Context & Background
Sports card collecting has long been a vibrant and lucrative segment of the memorabilia market, with vintage cards of baseball Hall of Famers such as Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, and Ted Williams commanding particular reverence and high prices among collectors. The T206 set, produced between 1909 and 1911, remains one of the most iconic and sought-after collections, featuring legendary figures whose cards are prized for their rarity and historical significance.
Grading companies like PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) and SGC (Sportscard Guaranty Corporation) play a crucial role by evaluating the condition of these cards, assigning grades that dramatically affect their market value. Cards with higher centering, sharp corners, and minimal wear fetch premium bids, making condition a collector’s obsession.
The post-war era (late 1940s through 1960s) introduced another wave of collectible cards that highlight baseball’s golden age, featuring stars like Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays. Alongside vintage finds, modern-era cards from the late 1980s and 1990s—such as Ken Griffey Jr. and Derek Jeter rookies—have gained investment appeal as veteran fans seek nostalgia and newer collectors chase emerging legends.
Auctions hosted by trusted dealers like Steve Novella, especially on accessible platforms like eBay, democratize access to these treasures, appealing to both seasoned collectors chasing high-grade rarities and newcomers hunting for gems at multiple price points.