An incredibly rare 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, featuring Babe Ruth in his rookie season, is about to take the auction world by storm. This highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia is one of only ten graded postcards known to exist, making it an extraordinary find for collectors and fans alike.
Heritage Auctions, the renowned auction house, is thrilled to present this item in their highly anticipated February Platinum Auction. It is worth noting that this particular card is the highest-graded example of any Babe Ruth rookie year card, receiving a PSA rating of 6. With an estimated price tag of over $1 million, it is expected to fetch a hefty sum.
The postcard showcases the Red Sox team, proudly labeled as the “American League Champions,” indicating its issuance time frame, likely before or during the 1915 World Series. Babe Ruth, in his debut season, occupies a prominent position in the back row of the team photograph.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox opted to play their home games at Braves Field, the stadium of the city’s National League team. Given its larger seating capacity compared to Fenway Park, which was still new at the time, Braves Field was a logical choice.
Each member of the Red Sox team is identified by surname and playing position on the postcard. Ruth stands shoulder to shoulder with another rookie pitcher, Carl Mays. Mays would later join Ruth in playing for the 1920 New York Yankees, and unfortunately, he is remembered for a tragic incident in which his pitch struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. The postcard also showcases Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
This auction follows closely on the heels of the recent sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which fetched an astonishing $7.25 million. Interestingly, both the 1914 and 1915 cards have only ten known graded examples.
Described as one of the most significant trading cards ever to be offered in the auction market, this 1915 postcard holds immense historical value and rarity, as highlighted by Heritage Auctions.
Baseball history collectors and Babe Ruth enthusiasts should mark their calendars as the auction bidding is scheduled to commence on February 2nd. This event promises to be a monumental occasion for those enchanted by the sport’s rich history and the legendary figure of Babe Ruth himself.
