A rare piece of baseball history is poised to make waves in the auction world as one of Babe Ruth’s earliest trading cards, known as the 1914 Baltimore News card, goes up for auction. This highly sought-after artifact, featuring a young 19-year-old Ruth during his minor league days with the Baltimore Orioles, is one of only ten known copies in existence. The card, graded SGC 3 (VG), not only showcases the future baseball legend but also features the team’s schedule on its back, making it a unique find.
The significance of this auction cannot be overstated. It has been over a decade since a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card has been offered in the public market, making this a rare opportunity for collectors. Additionally, this specific card is hailed as the finest specimen to be auctioned in over fifteen years.
Brian Dwyer, President of Robert Edward Auctions (REA), emphasizes the card’s importance, calling it the “pinnacle of baseball cards.” Dwyer asserts that it’s not just a rare sports memorabilia item but a seminal piece of Americana, representing the birth of the Babe Ruth legend, a figure synonymous with baseball itself.
In terms of its condition, the card ranks at the top of its class, according to the SGC Population Report. It is surpassed in condition only by a single PSA 4 card, making it highly desirable among collectors and enthusiasts.
The journey of this particular card is as remarkable as the player it depicts. In June 2021, it was sold for a staggering $6 million to a passionate collector in Florida, who also offered fractional ownership through the Collectable platform. However, the collective ownership opportunity was dissolved in January of this year.
The card’s provenance can be traced back to a single Baltimore family, where it remained for a century before its previous sale this decade. Prior to the auction, the card was displayed at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, allowing fans and memorabilia enthusiasts to marvel at its rarity. REA is organizing a public display of the card, along with a blue variant, on November 15, providing one last opportunity to view it before the auction. Exclusive private viewings will also be available on November 15 and later in New York City on November 29.
Collectors and enthusiasts eager to witness this rare piece of baseball history in person can contact REA for an invitation to these select viewing events.
The Babe Ruth card will headline a vast collection of 4,000 lots in the REA auction, scheduled to run from November 17 to December 3. Considering the trajectory of sports memorabilia, it’s worth noting that in 2012, a PSA 1 example of the Ruth card was sold for over $450,000, a fraction of the potential eight-figure price today’s market could yield. Just recently, a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card fetched a record-breaking $12.6 million.
Dwyer captures the allure of the Ruth card, calling it the “dream card” that every collector aspires to own. Its rarity is such that those who possess one are reluctant to part ways with it, making this auction a unique opportunity to acquire one for years to come.
Indeed, this upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors to own a valuable and iconic piece of American sports history. The Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News card represents not only a valuable collectible but also the genesis of an American sports legend. Its value extends beyond the physical card itself, embodying the enduring legacy of Babe Ruth and a bygone era of baseball that continues to capture the imaginations of fans and collectors alike. With only a few examples known to exist 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, achieving an eight-figure selling price.
