Babe Ruth 100th Anniversary Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2014
Offered is a Babe Ruth rookie card with the Famous and Barr advertising reverse. Issued in 1916, these cards were sold to various manufacturers using the standard M101-4 images of the iconic Babe Ruth Boston Red Sox to advertise their brand. Companies such as Sporting News, Globe Clothing, Weil Baking, Gimbels, Standard Biscuit, and others issued these cards to advertise their establishment and products. In some instances, “blank backs” have surfaced with no advertisement found. All releases, whether blank back or manufacturer status, are now categorically regarded as the prestigious “Babe Ruth” rookie card.
The current combined SGC and PSA population report for Babe Ruth related examples of 1916 Famous and Barr cards stands at a total of five, a significantly low number of examples. As an interesting side note, four examples reside in PSA holders (one PSA EX 5, one VG 3, one PSA GOOD 2 and one PSA FR 1.5), and only a single SGC graded example exists (SGC POOR 10). Presented here just happens to be the second highest graded example of this Babe Ruth rookie card in a Standard and Barr advertising back, in a very eye appealing PSA VG 3 holder.
There is no evading the fact that a rookie card of the great Babe Ruth is arguably ones of the ultimate collectible within the entire industry. With only 91 graded examples of the 1916 Ruth rookie card graded in total by SGC and PSA, this card is comparable even to the majestic T206 Wagner as it relates to hobby significance and scarcity.
True there is a certain mystique regarding the Wagner card, but there is also intrigue and mystique regarding Babe Ruth, too! The Bambino literally saved baseball, and a confluence of events around 1920 certainly helped project Ruth and the National Pastime into the national spotlight. Just think about the monumental impact that Babe Ruth has bestowed upon our National Pastime. He was the greatest baseball player of all time, the best two-way player this game has ever seen. He was undoubtedly the greatest slugger of all time, and in 1920 his home run total of 59 eclipsed the home run total of every other American League team! Ruth was also arguably the greatest pitcher of his time, and if not due to his prowess as a slugger, the Sultan of Swat might have been known as The Sultan of Sling! In fact, Ruth was 6-1 in head to head matchups with Walter Johnson, including winning four 1-0 games – three of those contests in 1916.
For one fortunate collector, a superior Babe Ruth rookie card is presented here in a PSA VG 3 holder. This incredible Ruthian pitching pose in his first major Red Sox uniform! At first glance, the card presents as EX, but under closer scrutiny, there is a one inch horizontal crease which runs from the left edge, through the Babe’s cap and slightly up towards the upper right corner. The card is framed by the usual off center borders, are free of unobtrusive print, and although the reverse contains some moderate toning, the “Standard and Barr” print advertisement is 100% complete and extremely bold. Ruth’s image is crisp and features strong registration, with his not yet fully rotund face clearly recognizable. The edges are all straight, with light touches to the two left corners while the two right side corners appear as Near Mint.
This is a very sharp looking card, completely commensurate with the assigned grade (but appearing nicer), and the second highest known graded example in the hobby.
This is a tremendous opportunity to obtain a baseball card which may be the hobby’s next crown jewel. Off all the Babe Ruth cards available on the market, including the various gum and candy cards of the 1930s, this 1916 Standard and Barr card is clearly tops them all in scarcity, significance, status and overall appeal, as it is the greatest player of all time’s Rookie card. How great is it to say “Ruth Rookie?”Although we have stated earlier there are a total of 91 Babe Ruth rookie cards appearing with various reverses, most already reside in advanced collections, and only a handful may come up for auction on a year to year basis, and the prices for these specimens increase every time. To top it off, this is not one of the relatively “easier” Ruth rookies to locate, but one with a scarce back – the Standard and Barr back – and the second highest graded example known to the hobby.