Original Babe Ruth Baseball Cards for Sale: A Piece of Baseball History
Babe Ruth is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, if not the greatest. He played for 22 legendary seasons in Major League Baseball from 1914 to 1935 and helped pioneer long ball hitting and electrify fans. Ruth’s iconic status in the sport means original baseball cards featuring the “Sultan of Swat” are among the most coveted and valuable in the collecting world. If you’re interested in owning a piece of baseball history through an authentic Babe Ruth card, here is an in-depth overview of the top options available for purchase.
Notable Original Ruth Baseball Cards
There are a handful of cards issued during Ruth’s playing career that are truly iconic and considered the cream of the crop for collectors. Let’s examine the most notable and expensive Babe Ruth baseball cards that come up for sale:
1914 Baltimore News Post Card: Ruth’s true rookie card from his time playing for the Boston Red Sox organization in the minor leagues. Only a few of these exist in high grades. Estimate value in NM-MT condition $250,000+.
1915 Cracker Jack: Ruth’s true MLB rookie card issued during his first year with the Red Sox. The scarcity and demand for this make it one of the most valuable vintage cards. Estimate value in NM-MT 8 $500,000+.
1918Sporting News: One of the more commonly found early Ruth issues but still highly significant. Value depends on condition but generally $10,000+ for desirable grades.
1921 W513 Egyptian: Iconic design showing Ruth swinging a bat. High demand because it captures him in his prime with the Yankees. Estimate value in NM-MT 8 $150,000.
1923 Turner’s Gum #1: Immensely popular issue that really captured the excitement of Ruth’s home run prowess. Considered the peak of his career. Estimate value in NM-MT 8 $75,000.
1933 Goudey: Final vintage card issued during Ruth’s playing days featuring his retirement tour. Scarce in high grades. Estimate value in NM-MT 8 $50,000.
Those are the big six that any serious Ruth collector seeks to obtain. Beyond those, there are several other notable early 20th century issues that can still carry value upwards of $5,000+ depending on condition, including Sporting News, Exhibit, Tip-Top, and others.
Tips for Buying Original Babe Ruth Baseball Cards
With so much value and demand attached to authentic Ruth cards, it’s important buyers take the necessary precautions:
Only purchase from reputable vintage card dealers with a solid track record and guarantees. Avoid private sellers when possible.
Carefully inspect certificates of authenticity and grading labels for signs of tampering. Reputable third-party authentication is highly recommended.
Ask to see detailed photos of the actual card you are buying in hand. Look for signs of restoration or fakes. Reputable dealers will have no problem providing extra photos.
Consider using a third-party authentication service like PSA/DNA or SGC if purchasing raw/unslabbed cards to verify authenticity. This adds an extra layer of reassurance.
Know the population report statistics for high-grade examples to properly discern a card’s true condition and fair pricing. Don’t overpay.
Pay with insured, guaranteed traceable payment methods like escrow or credit card for protection against fraud. Don’t wire funds without insurance.
Buy from within your budget range. Truly investment-grade Ruth cards into the six figures require experience, deep pockets, and patience to safely obtain.
When and Where to Find Original Ruth Cards for Sale
The timing of buying any collectible like vintage baseball cards is important. The two primary venues for finding authentic Babe Ruth cards on the market are:
Major full-category sports card auctions: Sites like Heritage Auctions, SCP Auctions, and Robert Edward Auctions regularly offer high-end Ruth game-used memorabilia, autographs, and rare vintage cards. Bidding happens online and events are scheduled far in advance, with recent examples in 2021 still shattering records.
Reputable vintage card shops: Established brick-and-mortar and online shops always keep tabs on consignments of rare vintage inventory that may become available for purchase outright. Shops like PWCC, Gallop’s, or Steiner will pay top dollar on consignments knowing the value they can fetch from wealthy clients.
Patience is important, as true condition rarities hardly ever come to market and may require waiting years for the right opportunity. Set affordable search parameters and follow industry experts, auctions, and enthusiasts online to stay tuned for potential original Ruth baseball card listings. With diligence, discerning collectors can find quality authenticated examples to proudly display as prized baseball memorabilia. The chase is part of the fun, reliving the legend of the original Bambino through preserved pieces of penned cardboard history. Happy hunting in building your own Babe Ruth baseball card collection!
