Babe Ruth, Wilt Chamberlain Rookies and Kobe Bryant Game-Worn Jersey Highlight Q4's Elite Auctions

Several of the hobby's top auctions in 2023 ended in Q4.

In a year full of ups and downs, 2023 will be remembered in the sports collectibles arena for setting remarkable auction prices, many of which were realized in just the last 30 days. Topping the list was a baseball card featuring a young man named Babe.

On Dec. 3, a 1914 Baltimore News rookie card of Babe Ruth, graded an SGC 3, sold for a whopping $7.2 million. The Sultan of Swat, the man with 714 home runs, swatted another one out of the park. Scarcity drives the value of all trading cards and this pre-war example was no exception. “It’s one of only 10 that we know to exist,” said Brian Dwyer, President of Robert Edwards Auctions, which sold the coveted piece.

But the Bambino wasn’t the only legend who brought big results on the auction block since November. A 1961 Fleer #8 Wilt Chamberlain rookie, signed by the late, great center himself, fetched $276,000 on Nov. 17. Graded a PSA 4, the card’s autograph graded a 9. According to Heritage, it’s one of only five Wilt-signed examples graded by PSA.

A 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth SGC 3 sold for more than $7 million in early December.

Photo courtesy Robert Edward Auctions

Game-used memorabilia also made headlines. On Dec. 2, a Kobe Bryant game-worn L.A. Lakers uniform photo-matched to the final road game of his career (4/11/16) sold via SCP for $366,967. On Dec. 10, Grey Flannel recorded a $118,230 sale of a game-worn baseball glove used in 1962 by the late Pittsburgh Pirates icon Roberto Clemente.

But it’s not just the mementos of passed legends that are keeping the hobby thriving. Newcomers like Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s 2023 No. 1 pick, are making their presence felt as well. In a 64-lot live auction hosted by Sotheby’s on Nov. 21, the Spurs’ 7-foot-4 rookie's game-worn jersey from his NBA debut (10/25/23) sold for an astounding $762,000. Despite San Antonio’s 126-119 loss to Dallas, the top pick registered 15 points and five rebounds to announce his arrival. The price also set a record for any rookie’s NBA debut jersey.

Suffice it to say the sports collectibles industry is firing on all cylinders as we approach 2024. Here are five other recent auction prices that also registered eye-popping results:

• 1980-81 Topps Scoring Leaders Larry Bird/Magic Johnson RC (PSA 10) - $488,000 (Goldin, 12/2)
• 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253 (PSA 8) - $378,997.20 (MHCC, 12/14)
• 1998 SkyBox Premium Star Rubies Michael Jordan #23/50 (PSA 7) - $216,000 (PWCC, 11/21)
• Joe Namath’s 1965 Topps Rookie Card Type 1 Photo (PSA Authentic) - $197,000 (Goldin, 12/2)
• Babe Ruth Single-Signed ONL Baseball (PSA 8) - $137,619.60 (Lelands, 11/18)