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. Ruth played from 1914 to 1935, primarily for the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. During his era, baseball cards were included in packs of cigarettes and were not seen as collectibles. The cards that featured Babe Ruth from his playing days are now highly sought after by collectors.
Some of the most valuable Babe Ruth baseball cards were issued during the 1910s and 1920s in sets like T206, E90-1, and others. The rarity and condition of these early Ruth cards dictate their value. In near-mint to mint condition, some of Ruth’s rare early cards can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars or more at auction.
1914 Cracker Jack #34 – One of Ruth’s earliest issued cards from his time with the Red Sox. Few are known to exist in high grades. An example that graded PSA NM-MT 8 recently sold for over $264,000 at auction, setting a new record price for any pre-war Ruth card. In lower grades, this key rookie card still fetches tens of thousands.
1914 Baltimore News #5 – Another early Ruth rookie card. Even in low grades, this scarce Baltimore-issued card can sell for $5,000+. In higher grades, six-figure prices are not unheard of given the rarity. Just a handful are known to exist in collectible condition.
1914 Karoll’s Cigarettes #1 – Considered one of the true “holy grail” cards for serious Ruth collectors. Only one copy is confirmed to exist in a grade of PSA EX-MT 5. It last sold in 2016 for an astounding $626,000, making it one of the highest prices paid for any single baseball card. No other higher graded examples are known.
1915 Billy Murray Cigarettes #8 – One of Ruth’s earliest “action” pose cards. High grade examples can reach $50,000+. Even poorly-centered, worn copies still attract bids in the low thousands due to the challenge of finding any example of this early Ruth release.
1916 M101-4 Sporting Life – Issued during Ruth’s first season with the Red Sox after moving to pitcher/outfielder. High grade copies are worth $30,000+ due to the set’s scarcity. Even in low grades, most examples will sell for $5,000+.
1918-19 W514-1 Victory Leaders – Ruth’s first card issued after establishing himself as a top slugger. His pose holding a bat makes this a key visual piece in any collection. High grades bring six-figure prices. A PSA 8 copy once sold for over $275,000. Most others start at $15,000 even in lower grades due to rarity.
1920 W516 Old Mill – Considered the first “modern” style card of Babe Ruth after joining the Yankees. Images were clearer and posed in uniform rather than in work clothes. High grades over $100,000. A PSA 8.5 example once realized $275,000 at auction.
1921 W522-1 Sporting News – One of the most iconic Ruth cards showing his legendary called shot at Wrigley Field. High grades over $150,000. Even well-worn copies attract bids into the thousands. A true “must-have” for any collection.
1922 E90-1 Sporting News – Issued during Ruth’s first season hitting over 50 home runs. High grades over $100,000. Even very low grade copies still sell for $5,000 due to the set’s scarcity and being one of the last pre-war issues.
1933 Goudey #53 – Considered one of the most famous and iconic baseball cards ever made. It captured Ruth late in his career swinging a bat. High grades over $250,000. Even very low grades still attract five-figure bids. An essential piece for any collection.
1933 Goudey #107 – Ruth’s second card from the famous Goudey set shows him in a Yankees uniform portrait. High grades over $150,000. Even worn copies sell strongly for their historical significance. Another “must-own” Ruth card.
In addition to his vintage cards, Ruth cards from 1970s and 1980s sets like Topps, Post, and Donruss remain popular due to the player’s legendary status. Keys include any card showing Ruth in a Yankees uniform, notable home run milestones, World Series heroics, or iconic posed photography. Even common examples from the 1970s in high grades can sell for $500+ due to demand from collectors.
In summary, Babe Ruth redefined baseball and hit home runs at a rate never seen before. His incredible talent and popularity is still unmatched in the sport’s history. Not surprisingly, Ruth’s earliest baseball cards have become the most iconic and valuable in the entire hobby given how few survived in high grades from the 1910s and 1920s. With rarities like the 1914 Karoll’s Cigarette card selling for over $600,000, it’s clear that Babe Ruth will always be the standard by which other legendary players are judged, both on and off the field.