An incredibly rare and highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia is about to hit the auction block. A 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, featuring none other than Babe Ruth in his rookie season, is set to be featured in the highly anticipated February Platinum Auction by Heritage Auctions.

What makes this postcard even more remarkable is the fact that it is one of only ten graded postcards of its kind known to exist. This rarity has collectors and enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the opportunity to add this valuable item to their collections.

The postcard, which has received a PSA rating of 6, is particularly noteworthy for being the highest-graded example of any Babe Ruth rookie year card. With such an impressive rating, it’s no wonder that the pre-sale estimate suggests it could fetch upwards of $1 million.

The front of the postcard depicts the Boston Red Sox team, proudly labeled as the “American League Champions,” indicating that it was likely issued before or during the 1915 World Series. The team photo captures Babe Ruth standing in the back row, already standing out as a promising player.

During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox played their games at Braves Field, the home stadium of the National League’s Boston Braves. This decision was mainly due to the larger seating capacity of Braves Field compared to Fenway Park, which was still relatively new at the time.

On the back of the postcard, each member of the Red Sox team is identified by their surname and playing position. Of course, Babe Ruth is one of the standout names, seen standing next to Carl Mays, another rookie pitcher. Interestingly, Mays would later join Ruth in playing for the 1920 New York Yankees and became unfortunately known for a tragic incident involving his pitch striking and killing Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. The postcard also features other Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.

It’s worth noting that this auction follows the recent record-breaking sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which sold for a staggering $7.25 million. What’s intriguing is that both the 1914 and 1915 cards have identical graded populations of just ten each.

Heritage Auctions recognizes the historical significance and rarity of this 1915 postcard, describing it as one of the most important trading cards to ever be offered in the hobby’s auction market.

For prospective bidders and anyone interested in baseball history, mark your calendars for February 2nd, as that’s when the auction bidding will commence. This event promises to be a monumental occasion for collectors and fans alike, providing an opportunity to own a piece of Babe Ruth’s early career and baseball history.

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