A piece of baseball history is about to hit the auction block, and it’s expected to create waves in the sports collectibles market. Robert Edward Auctions (REA) is gearing up to offer one of the ten known copies of Babe Ruth’s inaugural trading card in its highly anticipated Fall Catalog Auction, which begins today.

The card in question is a 1914 Baltimore News card, featuring a youthful 19-year-old Ruth during his minor league days with the Baltimore Orioles. Graded SGC 3 (VG), this rare artifact not only showcases the future baseball icon but also bears a unique back displaying the team’s schedule.

The upcoming auction holds significant importance for collectors and enthusiasts. It marks the first time in over a decade that a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card has been available in the public market. Moreover, this specific card is celebrated as the finest specimen to be presented at an auction in over fifteen years.

Brian Dwyer, President of REA, emphasizes the card’s immense value, 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.”

According to the SGC Population Report, the card’s condition is top-tier within its class, second only to a singular PSA 4 card in the entire collectibles realm.

The journey of this card is as exceptional as the man it represents. In June 2021, it was acquired by a passionate collector from Florida for a staggering $6 million, with an opportunity for fractional ownership through the Collectable platform. However, the collective ownership was dissolved earlier this year in January.

The card’s provenance can be traced back to a single Baltimore family, who held onto it for a century before its earlier sale this decade. It delighted the public as part of an exhibition at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum from 1998 until earlier this year. Fans of the Great Bambino and memorabilia collectors will have the opportunity to view the card once more before the auction. REA has organized a public display of the card, alongside a blue variant, on November 15, from 2-4 PM. Additionally, exclusive private viewings will take place on the evening of November 15 and later in New York City on November 29.

Individuals interested in witnessing this rarity in person can reach out to REA for an invitation to these exclusive events.

Among the vast collection of 4,000 lots in the auction, the Ruth card is anticipated to be the star attraction. Reflecting on the trajectory of sports memorabilia, it’s worth noting that in 2012, REA sold a PSA 1 example of the card for over $450,000. However, this sum pales in comparison to recent market trends, such as the record-breaking $12.6 million sale of a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card.

Dwyer perfectly captures the allure of the Ruth card, explaining, “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.”

Undeniably, the upcoming auction presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors. The Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News card represents not only an incredibly valuable collectible item but also the genesis of an American sports legend. Its worth and significance go beyond the physical card itself; it serves as a tangible representation of the Babe Ruth 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’s a historic event, celebrating the enduring impact of one of the most iconic figures in sports history. With only a handful of examples in existence and the market for rare sports cards reaching unparalleled heights, there is a high possibility that this auction could set a new benchmark in the realm of sports collectibles, with an eight-figure selling price attached to this iconic piece of history.

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