The sports memorabilia world is buzzing with excitement as Memory Lane Inc. gears up to host its Winter Rarities Auction. This highly anticipated event will showcase over 1,950 lots of sports cards and memorabilia, with a special focus on rare collectibles from the legendary Babe Ruth. Collectors and fans alike have a chance to own a piece of baseball history in what promises to be a memorable auction.
Babe Ruth, a larger-than-life figure both on and off the field, continues to captivate enthusiasts more than seven decades after his passing. His impact on the game of baseball is immeasurable, and his legacy lives on through the numerous collectibles available in this auction.
One of the standout items up for bidding is a circa 1915 Ruth rookie-era postcard, authenticated and graded, and one of only two known examples. This unique image, captured at the Boston Red Sox Spring Training camp in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is developed on period photo paper from the original glass negative. With a starting bid of $50,000, this real photo postcard represents a rare opportunity for collectors.
Another exceptional piece is a promotional card for the 1920 movie “Headin’ Home,” in which Ruth starred. Only three of these cards are known to exist, and this particular card features a promotion for the movie at Chicago’s Frolic Theater on its reverse side. Graded PSA 2, it is available for bidding with a minimum bid of $15,000.
The auction also includes a 1920 Ruth card promoting a barnstorming tour that he headlined after the season. This card, graded PSA 1.5, is also scarce with only three known examples. It depicts Ruth in mid-swing, heading towards first base.
Ruth’s presence extends beyond these unique cards, with several high-grade 1930s Goudey cards featuring Ruth and other baseball greats such as Jimmie Foxx, Carl Hubbell, Dizzy Dean, Lou Gehrig, and Nat Holman. Some of these cards represent the highest PSA grades known to exist, adding to their desirability.
While Babe Ruth takes center stage, the Winter Rarities Auction at Memory Lane Inc. offers much more. It features a 1911 Turkey Red set break, including ten cards that are among the highest ever graded by PSA. Legendary names such as Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, Cy Young, and Nap Lajoie grace this set.
Additionally, the 12th-ranked set of 1952 Bowman Baseball is up for grabs, featuring individual cards of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Minnie Minoso’s rookie card, all in top condition. A high-grade 1953 Topps set break includes PSA 9 copies of Yogi Berra, Billy Martin, and Phil Rizzuto, along with PSA 6 examples of Mantle and Mays.
Autograph collectors will be delighted to find eight Mickey Mantle autographed cards in the auction, five of which have autographs graded PSA 10. These cards span years from 1953 to 1958, showcasing different phases of Mantle’s illustrious career.
The Winter Rarities Auction isn’t limited to cards alone. It offers a variety of vintage unopened packs and boxes, including 1978 and 1979 Topps Baseball vending cases, providing a glimpse into the past of baseball card collecting.
If that wasn’t enough, there are also several remarkable pieces of Babe Ruth memorabilia in the auction. One highlight is a dual-signed check from July 1945, made out to his wife Claire, along with a note explaining its significance. Other notable items include a signed 1923 $1 silver certificate, an album page signed by Ruth and Jimmie Foxx, and two autographed golf scorecards.
The Winter Rarities Auction at Memory Lane Inc. is a golden opportunity for collectors and fans alike to own a part of Babe Ruth’s storied legacy. Through rare cards, unique memorabilia, and autographs, this auction not only offers immense historical value but also embodies the spirit of one of baseball’s greatest icons. With the auction opening on December 21st and running through January 13th, it is poised to be an unforgettable event in the sports memorabilia world.