The Best Of May 2024 Sports Card Auctions

It is hard to believe that May is already upon us. The weather is warming. Things are greening up. Baseball is now in full swing and the playoffs for most of the other major sports are fast approaching.

But what about the auction action? Is it as warm as the weather is getting? You bet! This month, we’ll start things with the auctions in the first half of the month, then update as the month progresses.

Please check back for additional great auction info throughout the month of May!

Sirius Sports Cards Auction #364

Sirius Sports Cards starts the month with its auction #364, which ends on May 2^nd. Baseball make up the lion’s share of this auction, although other sports are also represented.

Auction Basics

Items of Note

Baseball is king in the Sirius #364, with all the major eras represented, from pre-war, to the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970’s. The 1980s and junk wax era are also represented, although there aren’t a lot of ultra-modern cards.

Some of the top lots are 1950’s and 1960’s icons. These include a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron in PSA 4, and 1958 Topps cards of Ernie Banks (PSA 8), Roger Maris (PSA 7), and Ted Williams (PSA 6). In terms of more modern cards, there are a number of autographed Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards, including a 1989 Upper Deck in PSA 9/10.

Beyond cards, you’ll find several autographs and memorabilia lots. Unlike many auction houses, Sirius also has many lots of collecting supplies, including top loaders, soft sleeves, and more.

Goldin Auctions 2024 April Elite Auction

Goldin Auctions brings us their 2024 April Elite Auction, which wraps up on Saturday, May 4^th at 10 PM. This is a premium auction with high-end lots that cross sports and eras, with a good mix of sports and eras, and a bit more modern represented than you see in some auctions.

Auction Basics

Items of Note

There’s a lot to like in this month’s Goldin auction. In addition to cards, you’ll find plenty of game-used memorabilia, photos, tickets and passes, unopened materials, and much more. Among the premium items available, you’ll find a 1999 Pokemon Base Set Holofoil Charizard in PSA 10.

There are a lot of high-end basketball items, including a 2009-10 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) #206 Stephen Curry Signed Patch Rookie Card (#15/99) in BKT 9.5, plus game-used jerseys of Kobe Bryant and Anthony Edwards. You’ll find several nice Kobe Bryant items.

Of course, it’s not a high-end sports card auction without a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, and you’ll find a PSA 3.5 and a PSA 1. For those looking for experiences over possessions, there’s even a 3-round golf offering at Whistling Straights.

Memory Lane Spring 2024 Rarities Auction

Memory Lane brings its Spring 2024 Rarities Auction, which ends on May 4^th, at 7 PM ET. Old cardboard is a big part of this auction with some true rarities. Other sports and eras are represented, but this is one not to miss if you love old baseball cards.

 Auction Basics

Items of Note

Pre-war is the headliner here, with some true rarities and so many really impressive lots. There are a variety of 1914 Cracker Jack cards, including Christy Mathewson, Joe Jackson, and Ty Cobb, among many others. There’s a Babe Ruth signed ball. Lou Gehrig? There’s a 1941 New York Yankees Lou Gehrig Memorial July 4th Ticket Stub in PSA 7, and a PSA-certified signed check.

All the big names are found in this auction, from Ty Cobb to Ted Williams, to Jackie Robinson. Mickey Mantle. Willie Mays. They’re all here, plus many more.

Beyond the cards, there are also unopened material, memorabilia, autographs, and more. There are some great non-sports items, ranging from Star Wars to music to presidents.

Sirius Sports Cards Mid-May Auction

Following auction #364 which ends earlier in the month, Sirius will be back mid-month with another auction running from May 6^th to 16^th. No details are currently available, but we’ll update this article with details as soon as they are available.

Auction Basics

Items of Note

Info coming soon! Please check back.

Heritage Auctions 2024 May 16 – 18 Spring Sports Catalog Auction

Heritage Auctions brings us their 2024 May 16 – 18 Spring Sports Catalog Auction, which ends between May 16 and 18^th. In a word, this auction is huge. With well over 3,000 items, there’s a LOT here, and with many high-end items, this is well worth a look. While baseball dominates here, there is a mix of sports to be had.

Auction Basics

Items of Note

With any auction this size, there’s lots to see and lots to like. The lots span back into the 1880’s, with a couple of Cap Anson cards from 1888, including a N28 Allen & Ginter PSA 7 and a N162 Goodwin Champions SGC 3. There’s of course plenty of Mickey Mantle cards, including a 1952 Topps in SGC 7.5. Speaking of 1952 Topps, there’s a complete graded set that’s very impressive.

If you’re a fan of high grade vintage rookie card, you’ll find PSA 9 copies of some great ones, including, well, The Great One. There’s also Wilt Chamberlin, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, and Joe Namath.  There are unopened materials, autographs, memorabilia, photos, and much, much more. There are some jerseys in particular that will sell for huge amounts. These include a 1920 Christy Mathewson, 1955 Sandy Koufax, 1968 Mickey Mantle, and 1943 Stan Musial.

Robert Edwards Auctions May Auction

Robert Edwards Auctions (REA) has its May Auction starting on May 9^th and running through May 19^th. No details are yet available, but check back soon for more info as it becomes available.

Auction basics

Items of note

Info coming soon! Please check back.

Wheatland May 2024 Sports Card & Memorabilia Auction

Wheatland brings us their May 2024 Sports Card & Memorabilia Auction. The auction ends on May 19^th. As is the usual for Wheatland, this is less about museum pieces for the 1% and more about auction lots for the 99%. That’s not to say there aren’t some really nice items here, it’s just that collectors on a budget aren’t going to get completely shut out.

Auction Basics  

Items of Note

As mentioned above, there’s a lot of collector grade items that will have fewer zeros at the end than some other auctions. But there are still some really nice lots. These include a 2006-07 SP Quad Signature card with autographs of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Julius Erving. There’s a 2018 Panini Flawless Josh Allen Rookie Patch Auto graded PSA 9/10.

There are plenty of mid-grade vintage cards, and rookie cards, that are worth a look. These include a 1958 Topps Jim Brown in SGC 4.5. There’s a 1959 Topps Mickey Mantle in SGC 5, plus lots of other Mantle items.

The lots span era and sport nicely. Highlights include a 2023-2024 Bowman University’s Best Caitlin Clark Rookie Jumbo Patch Autograph, a 2000 UD Graded Tom Brady in BGS 9.5, a 2022-23 Panini Flawless Nikola Jokic Star Swatch Signatures Autograph, and much more.

There’s lot of sets and partial sets, including 1954 Topps and 1956 Topps with some graded cards. There’s also unopened materials, such as the 2022-23 Panini Immaculate NBA Sealed Basketball case.

Sirius Sports Cards Late May Auction

Following the two earlier auctions, Sirius will be back once more for a late-month auction that runs from May 20 to May 30. No details are yet available, but we’ll update this article with details as soon as they are available.

Auction Basics

Items of Note

Info coming soon! Please check back.

Other Auctions of Note

Goldin has its weekly auctions on May 2, 9, 16, and 23. Goldin also has the Golden 100, Part I ending on June 1st. We’ll feature that in our next preview, but wanted to get it on your radar screen early.

Heritage has their Sunday auctions ending on May 5, 12, 19, and 26^th.

Final thoughts (for now) on the May 2024 Auction Preview

The May Auction landscape offers something for everyone, from the high-roller to the value shopper, including fans of all sports and eras.

What items have caught your attention this month? Are you bidding on anything? Want to brag about your auction wins? We’d love to hear what’s on your mind at Cardlines on Twitter.

Keep an eye on this article for more auctions throughout the month, and happy bidding! And thank you for reading our May 2024 Auction Preview!

Love auction action? Check out our reviews of notable auction house providers in the industry:

• Memory Lane Auctions
• REA Auctions
• Fanatics Auctions
• Goldin Auctions
• Wheatland Auctions