CGC-certified Jackie Robinson Magazine Card Realizes More than $14,000 in Hake's Auctions Sale

A unique and extremely rare Jackie Robinson collectible that is certified by CGC Cards™ realized five figures in a recent Hake's Auctions sale. It was one of many CGC-certified sports cards that were featured in Hake's Premier Auction #239, which was held on November 14-15, 2023.

The top CGC-certified sports-related lot in the auction was the 1953 Our Sports Magazine Sports Authority Card Jackie Robinson graded CGC 2.5 (lot 586), which realized $14,277, exceeding its pre-auction $5,000 to $10,000 estimate. This seldom-seen card is not only the first example that CGC Cards has ever graded but also the first of its kind graded by any card certification company to date. This Robinson magazine card has not been seen by the sports collectible community for decades, and bidders gave it a warm welcome.

1953 Our Sports Magazine Sports Authority Card Jackie Robinson graded CGC 2.5 Click images to enlarge.

The rarity stems from a short-lived publication called Our Sports Magazine, which launched in 1953, with the famous Brooklyn Dodgers second baseman acting as the publication's editor. Within its debut issue, an advertisement was included for the Robinson card that fans who subscribed to the magazine would receive with their name printed on the back. The card featured the same image of Robinson that was used on his famous 1953 Topps #1 baseball card. However, the magazine card utilized the original black-and-white photo of the second baseman in its natural state.

CGC Cards Vice President Andy Broome presents the extraordinary Robinson card and shares its importance in a video posted on CGC Cards' YouTube channel. As Broome says in the video, this is the first example of the magazine card that he has seen in almost 25 years of grading sports cards. It is truly a one-of-a-kind collectible from one of the most important figures in the history of American sports.

As arguably the most important player in Major League Baseball history, Robinson's impact on the game and American society cannot be understated. He starred as a second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, breaking the color barrier as the first Black player in the MLB. Upon integrating baseball, Robinson opened doors for future generations of Black players. His on-field accomplishments included Rookie of the Year honors, six All-Star selections, a 1949 NL MVP and being part of the 1955 World Series championship team. Robinson also earned a spot on the MLB All-Century Team, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

Other CGC-certified cards sold in this auction included:

• a 1909-11 T206 Mordecai Brown graded CGC 2 (lot 602), which realized $3,894
• a 1952 Mickey Mantle Fan Club Membership Card graded CGC 2 (lot 585), which realized $2,855
• a 1954 Topps #250 Ted Williams graded CGC 7.5 (lot 633), which realized $951
• a 1958 Topps #47 Roger Maris graded CGC 7 (lot 640), which realized $811
• a 1954 Topps #10 Jackie Robinson graded CGC 5.5 (lot 631), which realized $681
• a 1958 Topps #30 Hank Aaron - Name in Yellow graded CGC 6 (lot 639), which realized $473
• a 1957 Topps #20 Hank Aaron graded CGC 6.5 (lot 636), which realized $471
• a 1957 Topps #10 Willie Mays graded CGC 6 (lot 635), which realized $441

Prices realized include a buyer's premium.