A piece of baseball history is about to hit the auction block, and the potential price it may fetch is as legendary as the player it features. Robert Edward Auctions (REA) is presenting one of the ten known copies of Babe Ruth’s inaugural trading card in its highly anticipated Fall Catalog Auction, which kicks off today.
This particular card, graded SGC 3 (VG), is a 1914 Baltimore News card that captures a young 19-year-old Ruth during his time with the Baltimore Orioles in the minor league. Not only does this card showcase the future baseball icon, but it also stands out for its unique back, which displays the team’s schedule.
The significance of this auction cannot be understated. It has been over a decade since a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card has been available on the public market, and this specific card is considered the finest specimen to grace the auction stage in more than fifteen years.
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, leaves no room for doubt about the card’s significance: “The Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card stands as the pinnacle of baseball cards,” he asserts. “Not only is it a rare sports memorabilia item, but it is also a seminal piece of Americana, representing the dawn of the Babe Ruth legend—a figure synonymous with baseball itself.”
According to the SGC Population Report, the card’s condition is top-tier within its class and is surpassed only by a single PSA 4 in the entire collectibles sphere.
The journey of this card is as remarkable as the man it depicts. In June 2021, it became part of a Floridian collector’s private collection, who acquired it for a staggering $6 million. The collector then offered fractional ownership opportunities through the Collectable platform. However, the collective ownership was dissolved earlier this year in January.
The card’s provenance can be traced back to a single Baltimore family, where it stayed for a century before being sold earlier this decade. It was exhibited for public enjoyment at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum from 1998 until earlier this year. Fans of the Great Bambino and memorabilia collectors will have a chance to view the card once again before the auction. REA has organized a public display of the card, along with a blue variant, on November 15 from 2-4 PM. Exclusive private viewings will also take place on the evening of November 15 and later in New York City on November 29.
Those interested in seeing this rarity in person can contact REA for an invitation to these special events.
The Ruth card is expected to steal the spotlight among 4,000 lots in the auction, which will run from November 17 to December 3. Looking back at the trajectory of sports memorabilia, it is worth noting that in 2012, REA sold a PSA 1 example of the card for over $450,000. However, that is a mere fraction of the prices achieved in today’s market. Recently, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card shattered records with a staggering $12.6 million sale.
Dwyer encapsulates the allure of the Ruth card: “This is the dream card, the one that every collector aspires to hold,” he explains. “Its rarity is such that those who possess one of these jewels are reluctant to part with it. This might be the only opportunity to acquire one for many years.”
Truly, the upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity 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, serving as a tangible representation of the legacy of Babe Ruth and a bygone era of baseball that continues to captivate the imagination of fans and collectors. The auction of this card is more than just a business transaction; it is a historic event that celebrates the enduring impact of one of the most iconic figures in sports history. With only a small number of examples in existence and the market for rare sports cards reaching unprecedented heights, this auction could very well set a new benchmark in the world of sports collectibles by achieving an eight-figure selling price.