A piece of baseball history is about to make waves in the auction world this month. 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. This rare artifact, a 1914 Baltimore News card depicting a young 19-year-old Ruth during his minor league days with the Baltimore Orioles, is expected to command a price as legendary as the player it represents.
This auction is significant for several reasons. It marks the first time in over a decade that a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card has been available on the public market. Moreover, this specific card is celebrated as the finest specimen to grace the auction stage in more than 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. This isn’t just a rare sports memorabilia item; it’s a seminal piece of Americana, representing the dawn of the Babe Ruth legend—a figure synonymous with baseball itself.”
The card has received a top-tier grade of SGC 3 (VG) within its class, according to the SGC Population Report. It is outranked only by a single PSA 4 in the entire collectibles sphere.
The journey of this card is as storied as the legendary player it portrays. In June 2021, it was acquired for an astounding $6 million by a collector in Florida, who offered fractional ownership through the Collectable platform. However, the collective ownership was dissolved earlier this year.
The card’s provenance can be traced back to a single family in Baltimore, where it remained for a century before its previous sale earlier this decade. It was exhibited at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum for the public to enjoy from 1998 until earlier this year. Prior to the auction, fans and memorabilia collectors will have the opportunity to view the card once more during a public display organized by REA on November 15, from 2-4 PM. Exclusive private viewings will also be available on the evening of November 15 and later in New York City on November 29. Those interested in seeing this rarity in person can contact REA for an invitation to these select events.
The Ruth card is expected to be the highlight among the vast collection of 4,000 lots in the auction, which runs from November 17 to December 3. Looking back at the trajectory of sports memorabilia, one can’t help but reflect on REA’s sale of a PSA 1 example of the card in 2012 for over $450,000—a sum that now pales in comparison to recent record-breaking sales, such as a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card that fetched $12.6 million.
Dwyer perfectly encapsulates the allure of the Ruth card, 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 gems are reluctant to part with it. This might be the only chance to acquire one for many years.”
Undoubtedly, the upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for collectors. The Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News card represents not only a valuable collectible but also the genesis of an American sports legend. Its value transcends the physical card—it serves as a tangible representation of Babe Ruth’s legacy and a bygone era of baseball that continues to captivate fans and collectors alike. The auction of this card is more than a simple transaction; it is a historic event celebrating the enduring impact of one of the most iconic figures in sports history. With so few examples in existence and the market for rare sports cards reaching unparalleled heights, this auction could very well see the card achieve an eight-figure selling price, setting a new benchmark in the world of sports collectibles.
