A piece of baseball history is about to hit the auction block, and it has the potential to make headlines with its staggering selling price. Robert Edward Auctions (REA) is set to offer one of the rarest Babe Ruth trading cards ever produced in its Fall Catalog Auction, and experts are predicting that it could fetch an eye-popping eight-figure sum.
The card in question is a 1914 Baltimore News card, featuring a young, 19-year-old Babe Ruth during his minor league days with the Baltimore Orioles. Only ten copies of this card are known to exist, making it an incredibly scarce artifact for collectors.
What makes this card even more unique is its back, which showcases the team’s schedule. This specific card, graded SGC 3 (VG), is considered the finest specimen of its kind to be auctioned in over fifteen years.
Brian Dwyer, President of REA, emphasizes the card’s significance, stating, “The Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card stands as the pinnacle of baseball cards. This isn’t just a rare piece of sports memorabilia; it’s a seminal piece of Americana that represents the beginning of the Babe Ruth legend – a figure who is synonymous with baseball itself.”
According to the SGC Population Report, this card is in top-tier condition within its class and is outranked only by a single PSA 4 card in the entire collectibles market. Its rarity and exceptional condition add to its allure and potential value.
The journey of this remarkable card is as intriguing as the player it portrays. In June 2021, it was purchased by a collector in Florida for an astounding $6 million, with the option for fractional ownership through the Collectable platform. However, the collective ownership dissolved earlier this year.
Originating from a Baltimore family, the card stayed in their possession for over a century before being sold earlier this decade. It was previously displayed at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum for public enjoyment until earlier this year. Fans of the legendary player and avid memorabilia collectors will have the opportunity 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. Private viewings will also be available on November 15 and later in New York City on November 29 upon invitation.
The Babe Ruth card is expected to be the highlight among the 4,000 lots in the upcoming auction, which will run from November 17 to December 3. Looking back at the trajectory of sports memorabilia, it’s worth noting that in 2012, REA sold a PSA 1 example of the same card for over $450,000. Compared to recent record-breaking sales, such as the $12.6 million auction of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, it becomes clear that the value of these rare sports cards has skyrocketed in recent years.
Dwyer aptly describes the allure of the Babe Ruth card, stating, “This is the dream card, the one that every collector aspires to possess. Its rarity is such that those who have one of these gems are reluctant to part with it. This might be the only opportunity to acquire one for many years.”
Indeed, this upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors to own a piece of American sports history. The 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card not only represents a highly valuable collectible, but it also signifies the genesis of a legendary sports figure. Its value goes beyond being a physical card; it is a tangible representation of Babe Ruth’s enduring legacy and a bygone era of baseball that continues to captivate fans and collectors.
With only a handful of examples in existence and the market for rare sports cards reaching unprecedented heights, it is highly anticipated that this auction could set a new benchmark in the world of sports collectibles. With its historical significance, scarcity, and the ongoing fascination with Babe Ruth’s career, experts are confident that this card could achieve an eight-figure selling price, solidifying its status as one of the most coveted and valuable items in sports memorabilia.
