In a truly extraordinary event in the world of sports memorabilia, a rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth baseball card was sold for an astounding $7.2 million late Sunday night. This monumental sale positioned the card as the third most valuable sports card ever sold, capturing the attention of collectors and enthusiasts across the nation. The card, graded 3 (VG) by SGC, received considerable interest, with fifteen bids placed, including one on the auction’s final day.
Measuring 2 5/8″ by 3 5/8″, the card showcases 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 was believed to have been distributed with the newspaper. While the final sale price fell short of the estimated $10 million, this record-breaking sale marked the first time in over a decade that such a card had been offered, and it was the highest-rated copy to appear in an auction in more than 15 years. The identity of the buyer still remains undisclosed.
Brian Dwyer, the President of Robert Edward Auctions (REA), expressed his belief that this could very well be the only example of this card to be available for purchase for many years to come. Holding the distinction of being the highest-graded example on the SGC Population Report, this Babe Ruth card 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 historic 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 this recent sale, the card had been in the possession of a Baltimore area family for over a century and was 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 not only marked a highlight for the card itself but also for REA and the entire sports memorabilia collecting hobby. Brian Dwyer emphasized the significance of this historic 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 for what may be the only time for many years to come.”
Alongside the Ruth card, several other notable items were also featured in the auction. Fourteen other cards from the same set were offered, including one depicting Jack Dunn, the man credited with discovering Ruth. However, these cards did not meet their reserve prices.
The Babe Ruth card now ranks among the most expensive sports cards ever sold, trailing only the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle SGC 9.5, which sold for $12.6 million, and a T206 Honus Wagner card, which fetched $7.25 million.
Furthermore, the auction included other remarkable items, such as a 1933 R319 Goudey #149 Ruth graded PSA 8, which sold for $396,000. Additionally, 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, as the company celebrated its 30th anniversary. A 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 underlines the enduring appeal of sports memorabilia but also highlights the significant value attached to items associated with legendary figures like Babe Ruth. The sale of this rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card is not only a testament to the card’s rarity and historical significance but also a reflection of the deep passion and investment collectors have in preserving and valuing sports history.
