Babe Ruth is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time and his baseball cards are some of the most valuable in the hobby. Even 100 years after he first stepped onto a Major League Baseball field, Ruth cards continue to captivate collectors and his rookies in particular command top dollar on auction sites like eBay. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most coveted and expensive Babe Ruth cards that frequently come up for sale on eBay.
One of the holy grails of the hobby is Babe Ruth’s 1914 Baltimore News baseball card. This is considered his true rookie card even though he did not reach the majors until 1915. Only one copy is known to exist in circulation and it last sold for over $5 million at auction in 2016, making it the most valuable baseball card ever sold. Needless to say, a 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card will likely never come up for sale on eBay as the owner is unlikely to part with such a valuable piece of sports history.
A more realistic target for collectors with deep pockets would be Babe Ruth’s 1915 Cracker Jack card, which is considered his true rookie card recognized by the sport. Graded examples in Gem Mint condition have sold for over $600,000 at auction before. On eBay in recent years, Cracker Jack Ruth rookies have typically sold in the $200,000+ range for high graded copies. Most listings require the card to be professionally graded by services like PSA or SGC to validate its condition. While extremely expensive, it’s still within the realm of possibility to find a Cracker Jack Ruth rookie listed by a large auction house or private collector on eBay. Buyers should be prepared to spend mid-six figure sums.
From there, some other key early Babe Ruth cards that generate buzz on eBay include his 1916 and 1917 Sporting News cards. Considered the second and third most important Ruth cards after his Cracker Jack rookie, nice examples can sell for $50,000+ online. His 1916 and 1917 M101-4 cards issued by American Caramel are also highly sought after, with gems bringing $30,000+. All of these require sharp, well-centered copies in high grades to command those lofty prices on eBay against serious competition from wealthy collectors.
For those unable to afford five or six figure Ruth cards, there are still plenty of other noteworthy issues that surface more regularly with price points in the thousands. His famous first Yankees card from 1920 is a perennial favorite. High graded PSA/SGC Gems in the 8-10 range will sell for $8,000-$15,000 on eBay. Solid near-mint 7s go for $3,000-$6,000. Even well-worn low-grade examples still pull in $500-1,000 just due to Ruth’s iconic status on that historic New York franchise.
Ruth’s 1933 Goudey card is another accessible vintage option. Top pop PSA/BGS/SGC 9s have sold for $4,000-$7,000 recently on eBay. Mid-grade copies in the 5-7 range go for $500-1,500. This was one of the first modern style baseball cards produced and remains a must-have for any collection. Other affordable Ruth issues include his 1925 baseball stars card, 1931 R306 Yankee bat card, and 1933 tailenders card – all of which can be acquired in lower grades for $200-1,000 with patience and savvy bidding on eBay.
For the modern era, Ruth’s iconic 1977 Topps card has enduring popularity. High grade PSA/BGS Gems in 9-10 condition have reached $2,000-$3,000 on eBay auctions versus tough competition. More moderate 8s and 7s sell in the $300-800 range. Even well-loved low-mint copies still attract $50-150 of interest. This was one of the first mainstream releases to feature Ruth in full color during the early revival of the baseball card hobby. The 1986 Fleer Update Babe Ruth card signed by Cal Ripken Sr. has also gained cult status among collectors. Top grades have sold north of $1,000 due to the intriguing autographed element.
Whether seeking a true Ruth rookie beyond all budgetary constraints or a more down to Earth vintage issue, eBay remains the top marketplace globally to find these coveted cardboard pieces of sports history change hands. Savvy collectors know to set specific search parameters like card year, brand, and condition minimums to avoid wasting time. Be sure any high value cards you find are professionally graded to minimize risk. And always thoroughly research recent sold prices using the Advanced Search function to gauge fair market value before pulling the trigger. With some diligent effort, even entry-level collectors can own an authentic piece of the legendary Babe Ruth on baseball’s biggest online trading platform.
In summary, Babe Ruth cards – especially his pioneering early issues – remain the holy grails for dedicated collectors. While examples like his ultra-rare 1914 Baltimore News rookie are out of reach except for the ultra-wealthy, there are still numerous other noteworthy Ruth cards that surface on eBay each year within varying budget levels. With patience and research, it’s possible to find an authentic piece of this baseball icon’s legacy to preserve for generations to come – cementing his immortal status within the hobby. Ruth’s legacy and the allure of his collectibles show no signs of fading after all these decades.
