The fall event at Robert Edward Auctions is set to conclude on December 3, but an exceptional piece of baseball history featuring Babe Ruth has already emerged as a highlight well before the final gavel. This isn’t about the well-documented 1914 Baltimore News card; rather, it is a scarce 1921 Frederick Foto card that depicts the legendary baseball figure. As of Sunday evening, early competitive bids have driven the card’s value to an impressive $110,000. With a grade of 2 from SGC, indicating its rare vintage condition, this card is one of only six known to exist from the past century.
What sets the Frederick Foto card apart, even more, is its obscurity compared to the already scarce Baltimore News card. The 1921 series, which featured both major and minor league players, is shrouded in mystery, with a complete checklist still unconfirmed. The cards in the series are not numbered, making it challenging to determine a full set, though it is estimated to comprise over 100 cards.
The Frederick Foto Service of Sacramento, California, is credited with issuing these cards, which unfortunately were not of the highest quality production. Player photographs were simply glued onto cardboard, displaying the player’s name, team, and the Frederick Foto brand on the front. The reverse side of these cards is blank. Their size generally aligns with tobacco cards from the era, but inconsistencies are common, likely due to crude production techniques or subsequent trimming. These variations often result in cards with disproportionately large white borders.
The exact dating of the series has been a topic of debate among collectors, with 1921 widely accepted as the year of issue, although some disagree on the precise timing.
The card of Babe Ruth from this series holds particular significance. Not only does it feature Ruth with the ‘N.Y.’ insignia of the Yankees, but it also intriguingly depicts him in a Red Sox uniform, the team he played for before his iconic tenure with the Yankees that began in 1920. This detail adds to its rarity as one of the earliest cards showing Ruth associated with the Yankees.
Another unique attribute of this card is the photograph itself. The experts at REA have recognized that this specific image of Ruth does not appear on any other card or in any other type of media, making it a singular representation of the baseball legend.
The auction for this rare slice of baseball memorabilia will conclude on December 3, and it is already shaping up to be a noteworthy event for collectors and historians alike. With its increasing value over the years and its unmatched rarity, the 1921 Babe Ruth Frederick Foto card is attracting attention and competitive bids. As the auction draws to a close, enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the final price for this exceptional piece of sports history.