In a momentous event in the world of sports memorabilia, a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth baseball card was sold for an astounding $7.2 million at a historic auction. This record-breaking sale positions the card as the third most valuable sports card ever sold. The card, which received a grade of 3 (VG) from SGC, garnered widespread attention across the nation, with fifteen bids placed, including one on the auction’s final day.
Measuring at 2 5/8″ by 3 5/8″, the card depicts a 19-year-old Babe Ruth as a member of Baltimore’s minor league team. Originally part of a set that featured player images on the front and a team schedule on the back, it is believed to have been distributed with the newspaper. Despite falling short of the estimated $10 million, the final sale price is still an incredible achievement. The identity of the buyer remains undisclosed.
The sale of this Babe Ruth card marks the first time in over a decade that such a card has been offered. Additionally, it is the highest-rated copy to appear in an auction in more than 15 years. Brian Dwyer, the President of Robert Edward Auctions (REA), expressed his belief that this could very well be the only example of this card available for purchase for many years to come.
The card holds the distinction of being the highest-graded example on the SGC Population Report and is considered the second-best example in the hobby, surpassed only by a single PSA 4 graded card.
The journey of this card to its monumental sale has been a long one. In June 2021, it was acquired by a private collector in Florida for $6 million, with fractional ownership shares also being sold through the Collectable platform. However, those shares were liquidated earlier this year.
Prior to this recent sale, the card remained in the possession of a Baltimore area family for over a century. It was displayed at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum from 1998 until earlier this year, adding to its historical significance.
The auction of this Babe Ruth card was not only significant for the card itself but also for REA and the entire sports memorabilia collecting hobby. Brian Dwyer highlighted the moment’s importance, stating that it was a “watershed moment” for the Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, for REA, and for the hobby as a whole.
Alongside the Babe Ruth card, fourteen other cards from the same set were also offered at the auction. One notable example was a card featuring Jack Dunn, the man credited with discovering Ruth. However, these cards did not meet their reserve prices.
With a final sale price of $7.2 million, the Babe Ruth card now ranks among the most expensive sports cards ever sold, trailing behind only the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 9.5, which sold for $12.6 million, and a T206 Honus Wagner card that fetched $7.25 million.
The auction also featured other notable items, including a 1933 R319 Goudey #149 Ruth graded PSA 8 that sold for $396,000. Additionally, one of the only six known copies of the 1921 Frederick Foto Babe Ruth (SGC 2) sold for $168,000. Other top sellers included a PSA 7 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card at $246,000, a 1955 Bowman Mantle PSA 9 also at $246,000, a 1997-1998 Skybox Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Basketball #23 Michael Jordan #14/50 BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 valued at $240,000, and a 2013 Tom Brady game-used Patriots jersey photomatched to four games, which sold for $264,000.
This auction marked a record-breaking achievement for REA, celebrating its 30th anniversary. With a total of 93,151 bids placed by a record number of bidders, the auction generated over $22.1 million in sales. This remarkable success not only highlights the enduring appeal of sports memorabilia but also emphasizes the significant value attached to items associated with legendary figures like Babe Ruth. The sale of this rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card is a testament to its rarity and historical significance, as well as a reflection of the deep passion and investment collectors have in preserving and valuing sports history.
