In a thrilling turn of events in the world of sports memorabilia, a rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth baseball card fetched an astounding $7.2 million at a historic auction late on Sunday night. This incredible sale positioned the card as the third most valuable sports card ever sold, cementing its place in history. The card, which received a grade of 3 (VG) from the Sports Card Guaranty Corporation (SGC), garnered widespread attention across the nation, attracting fifteen bids, including one on the auction’s final day.
Measuring 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 featuring player images on the front and a team schedule on the back, it is believed that the card was distributed with the newspaper. Although the final sale price fell short of the estimated $10 million, the $7.2 million price tag is nothing short of extraordinary. The identity of the lucky buyer remains undisclosed.
This auction marked the rare occasion of such a card being offered for sale in over a decade, and it was 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.
Remarkably, 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, along with a small ownership stake in the card being sold to users of the Collectable fractional shares platform. However, these shares were liquidated earlier this year.
Prior to its recent sale, the card had been in the possession of a Baltimore area family for over a century. It was proudly 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 a triumph for the card itself but also for REA and the entire sports memorabilia collecting hobby. Brian Dwyer emphasized the significance of this event, stating, “This auction was a watershed moment for the Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, for REA, and for the hobby. We are thrilled to see Babe Ruth stake his spot in the top three all-time with this record-setting result, and we are proud to have brought this incredibly significant card to auction, possibly for the only time in many years to come.”
In addition to the Babe Ruth card, the auction featured fourteen other cards from the same set, including one featuring Jack Dunn, the man credited with discovering Ruth. Unfortunately, these cards did not meet their reserve prices.
The Babe Ruth card now joins the ranks of the most expensive sports cards ever sold, trailing only the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 9.5, which sold for a staggering $12.6 million, and a T206 Honus Wagner card, which fetched $7.25 million.
The auction also showcased several other notable items, including a 1933 R319 Goudey #149 Ruth graded PSA 8 that sold for $396,000. Further, 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 proved to be a record-breaker for REA, which was celebrating its 30th anniversary. A staggering total of 93,151 bids were placed by a record number of bidders, resulting in over $22.1 million in sales. This remarkable achievement not only underscores the enduring appeal of sports memorabilia but also highlights the significant value attached to items associated with legendary figures such as Babe Ruth. The sale of this rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card serves as a testament to the card’s rarity and historical significance, as well as the deep passion and investment collectors have in preserving and valuing sports history.