A historic Babe Ruth trading card is poised to make waves in the sports collectibles market, with the potential to fetch a staggering eight-figure price at auction. 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 opens today.
The card in question, graded SGC 3 (VG), is a 1914 Baltimore News card, a rare artifact that features a youthful 19-year-old Ruth during his time with the Baltimore Orioles in the minor leagues. What sets this card apart is not only its depiction of the future baseball legend but also its unique back, which showcases the team’s schedule.
The significance of this auction cannot be overstated. It marks the first time in over a decade that a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card has been made available on the public market. Furthermore, this particular card is hailed as the finest specimen to grace the auction stage in over fifteen years.
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, emphasizes the card’s importance by stating, “The Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card stands as the pinnacle of baseball cards. It is not simply a rare sports memorabilia item; it is 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, the card’s condition is top-tier within its class and is outranked only by a singular PSA 4 in the entire collectibles sphere. Its rarity and exceptional condition make it a highly sought-after item among collectors.
This card has a storied journey, mirroring the legacy of its image bearer. In June 2021, it was acquired by a passionate collector in Florida for a staggering $6 million, accompanied by a fractional ownership opportunity through the Collectable platform. However, as of January this year, the collective ownership was dissolved.
The card’s provenance can be traced back to a single Baltimore family, where it remained for a century before being sold earlier this decade. From 1998 until earlier this year, it was publicly displayed at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, delighting fans of the Great Bambino and avid memorabilia collectors alike. Prior to the auction, REA is organizing a public display of the card, alongside a blue variant, on November 15, providing fans with a final opportunity to view this rare artifact up close. In addition, exclusive private viewings will take place on the evening of November 15 and later in New York City on November 29.
Those interested in witnessing this extraordinary rarity in person can contact REA for an invitation to these select events.
While the auction will include a vast collection of 4,000 lots, the Ruth card is undoubtedly the star of the show. Looking back at the trajectory of sports memorabilia, it is worth noting that in 2012, REA sold a PSA 1 example of the same card for over $450,000. However, this sum pales in comparison to recent record-breaking sales in the sports collectibles market, such as a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card that fetched a staggering $12.6 million.
Dwyer encapsulates the allure of the Ruth card by 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.”
Indeed, the upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors. The Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News card represents not only a valuable collectible but also the beginning of an American sports legend. Its significance goes beyond the physical card itself—it is a tangible representation of the enduring legacy of Babe Ruth and a bygone era of baseball that continues to captivate the imagination of fans and collectors alike. This auction is more than just a transaction; it is a historic event that celebrates the lasting impact of one of the most iconic figures in sports history. With its scarcity and the skyrocketing market for rare sports cards, this auction could very well set a new benchmark, potentially achieving an eight-figure selling price and cementing its place in the annals of sports collectibles.