An incredibly rare and highly sought-after 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, featuring Babe Ruth in his debut season, is set to be auctioned later this month. This exceptional piece of baseball memorabilia, one of only ten graded postcards of its kind, is a remarkable find for collectors and enthusiasts.
Heritage Auctions, the leading auction house, will present this historic item in its February Platinum Auction. Notably, this postcard holds the distinction of being the highest-graded example of any Babe Ruth rookie year card, with a PSA rating of 6. It is expected to draw bids exceeding $1 million.
The postcard showcases the Red Sox team, designated as the “American League Champions,” suggesting that it was issued during or before the 1915 World Series. In the photograph, Babe Ruth is prominently displayed in the back row.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox opted to play their games at Braves Field, the stadium belonging to the city’s National League team. This decision was made due to the larger seating capacity of Braves Field compared to the relatively new Fenway Park at the time.
Each member of the Red Sox team is identified by their last name and playing position on the postcard. Of particular interest, Ruth is seen standing beside Carl Mays, another rookie pitcher. Mays would later join Ruth as a member of the New York Yankees in 1920 and is unfortunately remembered for a tragic incident in which his pitch struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. The postcard also features Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
This auction follows the recent record-breaking sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which fetched a staggering $7.25 million. Intriguingly, both the 1914 and 1915 cards have a population of only ten each in terms of graded examples.
Heritage Auctions has emphasized the significance of this 1915 postcard, referring to it as one of the most important trading cards ever to be offered in the auction market. Its rarity and historical value make it a highly coveted item.
Prospective bidders and enthusiasts should take note that the auction bidding will commence on February 2nd. This event marks a momentous occasion for baseball history collectors and fans of Babe Ruth, as they eagerly await the outcome of this historic auction.