A piece of baseball history is about to ignite an auction frenzy as one of the most coveted sports collectibles hits the market. Robert Edward Auctions (REA) is set to offer one of the ten known copies of Babe Ruth’s inaugural trading card in its highly anticipated Fall Catalog Auction, which begins today.
This card, graded SGC 3 (VG), is a rare artifact dating back to 1914. It features a youthful 19-year-old Babe Ruth during his minor league days with the Baltimore Orioles. What sets this card apart is not only its depiction of the future baseball icon, but also its unique back, which showcases the team’s schedule.
The significance of this auction cannot be overstated. It has been over a decade since a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card has been available in the public market. Furthermore, this specific card is regarded as the finest specimen to be presented at auction in over fifteen years.
REA President Brian Dwyer doesn’t hold back when emphasizing 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, representing 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, surpassed only by a single PSA 4 in the entire collectibles realm.
The journey of this card is as remarkable as the player it represents. In June 2021, it found its way into the hands of a passionate collector from Florida for an astounding $6 million, complete with fractional ownership options through the Collectable platform. However, the collective ownership was dissolved in January of this year.
The card’s provenance can be traced back to a Baltimore family, where it remained for a century before it was sold earlier this decade. From 1998 until earlier this year, it was proudly displayed for the public’s enjoyment at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum. Fans of the Great Bambino and avid memorabilia collectors will have one last chance to view the card before the auction. REA is organizing 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 in New York City on November 29.
Interested individuals can contact REA to secure an invitation to these exclusive events.
The Ruth card is poised to be the star among the 4,000 lots in the auction, which runs from November 17 to December 3. Reflecting on the trajectory of sports memorabilia values, one cannot ignore REA’s 2012 sale of a PSA 1 example of this card for over $450,000. This figure now pales in comparison to recent milestones, such as the $12.6 million sale of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card.
Dwyer perfectly encapsulates 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 loath to part with it. This might well be the only opportunity to acquire one for many years.”
Undeniably, the upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors. The Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News card holds not only monetary value as a collectible but also represents the genesis of an American sports legend. Its significance goes beyond the physical card; it serves as a tangible embodiment of Babe Ruth’s legacy and a bygone era of baseball that continues to capture the imagination of fans and collectors worldwide. The auction of this card is not just a transaction—it is a historic event that celebrates the enduring impact of one of the most iconic figures in sports history. With only a handful of examples in existence and the market for rare sports cards reaching unprecedented heights, this auction has the potential to set a new benchmark in the world of sports collectibles with an eight-figure selling price.
