Ohtani Autograph, Star Wars Wax Box Lead a Standout Auction Week

Two very different collectibles commanded the top prices in a busy week of auction results: a Shohei Ohtani autograph card and an unopened 1977 Star Wars wax box. The sales show how sports cards, entertainment memorabilia and vintage advertising can draw attention within the same stretch of the market.

WorthPoint added 93,022 transactions to its Price Guide on October 23, 2026. Those transactions totaled $17,701,859.94, with an average lot value of $190.30. Among the individual results, Clean Sweep Auctions and Goldin each recorded sales above $1 million, while several smaller lots offered a reminder that collecting interest reaches well beyond headline cards.

Star Wars wax box nearly matches the Mantle card

At Clean Sweep Auctions’ October 15, 2026, sale, a SGC 5 1951 Mantle Bowman card led the results at $39,162. Close behind was an unopened 1977 Star Wars wax box, which sold for $37,318.58. That second-place result is a striking showing for a sealed box of vintage non-sports cards, especially alongside one of the most recognizable names in baseball collecting.

The box’s unopened state is central to its appeal: it preserves the possibility of original contents and packaging together. The sale result alone doesn’t establish how common comparable boxes are or how another example would perform. For collectors comparing listings, the auction house, sale date and the item’s sealed condition are useful details to keep in view.

Clean Sweep’s lower-priced lots broadened the picture. An unopened 1973 Donruss “Fantastic Odd Rods” wax box brought $302.56, while a 1967 Marvel Captain America card graded PSA 5 sold for $305. A 1947 Yankees “Beat Dem Bums” pinback button also reached $305. Made for the 1947 World Series, the button’s phrase refers to the Brooklyn Dodgers; its appeal sits at the intersection of baseball history and period memorabilia.

Across 1,096 items, Clean Sweep Auctions recorded $1,272,261.14. The Mantle card and Star Wars box drew the largest bids, but the mix of cards, sealed packs and a vintage pinback shows why one auction can interest collectors with very different shelves.

Goldin’s leading cards cross sports and film

Goldin’s sports and trading card sale totaled $1,061,447.58 across 853 items. Its top lot was a signed Bowman Chrome “Rookie Autographs” insert card of Shohei Ohtani, graded PSA Mint 9. It sold for $48,800 on October 16, 2026. The crisp appearance noted in the sale account gives a sense of the card’s presentation in its grading holder, while the grade and autograph identify the key details collectors can use when comparing records.

Another strong Goldin result came from film memorabilia. A 2004 Artbox “Prisoner of Azkaban Update” autograph card signed by Daniel Radcliffe sold for $31,720 on October 16. The card was graded PSA Near Mint 8. Radcliffe played Harry Potter across the eight-film series, and the signed card connects a named performer with a specific Artbox release.

Advertising signs and varied finds round out the results

Advertising pieces also made a strong impression. American Classic Auctions sold an 80-inch, 1950s–1960s-era roadside lighted flashing “Open” sign for $3,720 on October 16, 2026. At Bertoia Auctions’ October 9 sale, two 24-inch painted tin Dr. Scholl’s Zino-pads signs brought $5,760. Together, the results show the range of everyday commercial objects that can attract collectors when their graphics, format and history come together.

Other notable sales

• 36-piece Tiffany & Company sterling flatware set in the “Chrysanthemum” pattern — Lion and Unicorn, October 15, 2026 — $4,375.
• Cast iron rooster windmill weight — Picking Enterprises via K-Bid, October 16, 2026 — $1,466.25.
• Rose Castillo Navajo sterling and turquoise cuff bracelet — Berner’s Antique Auction, October 15, 2026 — $4,284.
• World War II USMC VMS-3 “Devil Birds” photo album and scrapbook — Artelisted, October 15, 2026 — $468.75.

These recorded prices are tied to the named auction houses and specific sale dates; comparable objects may differ in condition, completeness and presentation. The week’s results put the Ohtani autograph and sealed Star Wars box in the spotlight, with plenty of variety among the supporting lots for collectors tracking cards, signs, silver and historical ephemera.

Collectors can compare past results through the WorthPoint Price Guide. Will Seippel’s Tangible Ledger newsletter is available through this sign-up form.