In an extraordinary event in the world of sports memorabilia, a rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth baseball card was sold for a staggering $7.2 million on Sunday night. This remarkable sale positions the card as the third most valuable sports card ever sold, sparking excitement and fascination among collectors and fans alike.
Measuring 2 5/8″ by 3 5/8″, the card showcases a 19-year-old Babe Ruth as a member of Baltimore’s minor league team. Originally part of a set that featured player images on the front and a team schedule on the back, it is believed to have been distributed with the newspaper. Fifteen bids were placed, including one on the auction’s final day, adding to the anticipation and competition surrounding the sale.
Although the final sale price fell short of the estimated $10 million, this groundbreaking auction marked the first time in over a decade that a card of this rarity had been offered. Moreover, it was the highest-rated copy to appear in an auction in more than 15 years, making it an extraordinary find for collectors. Brian Dwyer, the President of Robert Edward Auctions (REA), expressed his belief that this could potentially be the only example of this card available for purchase for many years to come.
The card holds the distinction of being the highest-graded example on the SGC Population Report and is considered the second-best example in the hobby, surpassed only by a single PSA 4 graded card. Its journey to this monumental sale has been a long and captivating one. In June 2021, it was acquired by a private collector in Florida for $6 million, along with a small ownership stake that was sold to users of the Collectable fractional shares platform. However, these shares were liquidated earlier this year.
Prior to being sold, the card had been in the possession of a Baltimore area family for over a century. It was displayed at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum from 1998 until earlier this year, adding to its historical significance and further increasing its allure to collectors.
The auction of this Babe Ruth card was not only a highlight for the card itself but also for REA and the entire sports memorabilia collecting hobby. Brian Dwyer emphasized the significance of this event, stating that, “This auction was a watershed moment for the Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, for REA, and for the hobby. We are thrilled to see Babe Ruth stake his spot in the top three all-time with this record-setting result, and we are proud to have brought this incredibly significant card to auction for what may be the only time for many years to come.”
Additionally, the auction featured fourteen other cards from the same set, including one of Jack Dunn, the man credited with discovering Ruth. However, these cards did not meet their reserve prices, further highlighting the rare and extraordinary nature of the Babe Ruth card.
With its sale price of $7.2 million, the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card now joins the ranks of the most expensive sports cards ever sold, trailing only the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 9.5, which sold for $12.6 million, and a T206 Honus Wagner card, which fetched $7.25 million.
In addition to the Babe Ruth card, the auction also showcased several other notable items. A 1933 R319 Goudey #149 Ruth graded PSA 8 sold for $396,000. One of the only six known copies of the 1921 Frederick Foto Babe Ruth (SGC 2) sold for $168,000. Other top sellers included a PSA 7 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card at $246,000, a 1955 Bowman Mantle PSA 9 also at $246,000, a 1997-1998 Skybox Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Basketball #23 Michael Jordan #14/50 BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 valued at $240,000, and a 2013 Tom Brady game-used Patriots jersey photomatched to four games, which sold for $264,000.
This auction marked a record-breaking achievement for REA, as they celebrated their 30th anniversary. With a total of 93,151 bids placed by a record number of bidders, the auction generated over $22.1 million in sales. This remarkable success not only highlights the enduring appeal of sports memorabilia but also underscores the significant value placed on items associated with legendary figures like Babe Ruth. The sale of this rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card is a testament to its rarity, historical significance, and the deep passion and investment collectors have in preserving and valuing sports history.
