A piece of baseball history is about to be auctioned off, and it has the potential to fetch a price as legendary as the player it depicts. Robert Edward Auctions (REA) is set to offer one of only ten known copies of Babe Ruth’s inaugural trading card in its Fall Catalog Auction. This remarkable card, graded SGC 3 (VG), is a 1914 Baltimore News card that showcases a young 19-year-old Ruth during his time with the minor league Baltimore Orioles. Not only is the imagery of the future baseball icon captivating, but the card’s unique back, which features the team’s schedule, adds to its significance.
The upcoming auction is a momentous occasion for several reasons. It marks the first time in over a decade that a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card has been available on the public market. Additionally, this specific card is celebrated as the highest-quality specimen to grace the auction stage in more than fifteen years.
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, emphasizes the card’s importance, stating: “The Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card stands as the pinnacle of baseball cards. It’s not just a rare sports memorabilia item; it’s a seminal piece of Americana that represents the dawn of the Babe Ruth legend – a figure who is synonymous with baseball itself.”
According to the SGC Population Report, this card’s condition is top-tier within its class and is only surpassed by a single PSA 4 card in the entire collectibles sphere.
The journey of this card is as remarkable as its image bearer. In June 2021, it was acquired by a passionate collector in Florida for a staggering $6 million, with a fractional ownership opportunity offered through the Collectable platform. However, the collective ownership was dissolved earlier this year.
The card’s provenance can be traced back to a single Baltimore family, where it remained for a century before being sold earlier in the decade. It was displayed for the public’s enjoyment at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum from 1998 until earlier this year. Fans of the legendary Babe Ruth and avid memorabilia collectors will have the chance to view the card once again before the auction. REA is organizing a public display of the card, alongside a blue variant, on November 15, from 2-4 PM. Moreover, exclusive private viewings will take place on the evening of November 15th and later in New York City on November 29th.
For those eager to witness this rarity in person, contacting REA for an invitation to these select events is a must.
The Babe Ruth card is expected to steal the spotlight amidst a vast collection of 4,000 lots in the auction, which will run from November 17 to December 3. Reflecting on the trajectory of sports memorabilia, it’s worth considering REA’s sale of a PSA 1 example of the same card in 2012, which fetched over $450,000. However, that sum pales in comparison to the current market, where a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card recently shattered records with a staggering $12.6 million sale.
Dwyer perfectly captures the allure of the Ruth card, stating, “This is the dream card, the one that every collector aspires to hold. Its rarity is such that those who possess one of these jewels are reluctant to part with it. This may well be the only opportunity to acquire one for many years.”
Undoubtedly, the upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors. The Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News card represents not only a valuable collectible but also the genesis of an American sports legend. Its value transcends the physical card itself – it’s a tangible representation of the legacy of Babe Ruth and a bygone era of baseball that continues to captivate fans and collectors alike. This auction is more than a simple transaction; it is a historic event that celebrates the enduring impact of one of the most iconic figures in sports history. With so few examples in existence and the market for rare sports cards reaching unparalleled heights, this auction could very well see the card achieve an eight-figure selling price, setting a new benchmark in the world of sports collectibles.
