Rare Babe Ruth Rookie Card Sells For $7.2 Million!
Language
Reading Level
Listen to Article
Alignment
A 109-year-old Babe Ruth card fetched $7.2 million at an online auction on November 17, 2023. This is the most paid for an item belonging to the famed player and the third-highest price for a baseball card ever. However, it was far less than the over $10 million estimated by New Jersey-based Robert Edward Auctions (REA).
The collectible measures about 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) by 3.6 inches (9.2 cm). It was created in 1914 by The Baltimore News. The front features a 19-year-old Ruth, who was then with the Baltimore Orioles in the International League. The reverse side displays the team's home and away game schedule. Notably, this card was made during the season when Ruth joined the Boston Red Sox. The skilled pitcher and outfielder eventually rose to become one of the most exceptional players in baseball history.
While the newspaper originally handed out numerous cards, only ten are still in existence. The most recently auctioned card was once owned by Archibald Davis. The Baltimore, Maryland, resident had received the card from the newspaper when he was 16 years old. It was part of a collection of 15 cards he had passed on to his family. Prior to the sale, the 1914 card had been on public display at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore.
"Simply put, The Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card is the most significant baseball card ever produced," said REA president Brian Dwyer. "This card is the genesis of Babe Ruth, a man who transcends the game of baseball. This card is not only one of the most elusive pieces of sports memorabilia, it's one of the rarest collectibles in American history."
Resources: Robertedwardauctions.com, nbcnewyork.com, thebaltimorebanner.com
Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
59 Comments
s307776over 1 yearcuz its that old
arjunkingover 1 yearjust paper. Why so expensive?
doggirl303over 1 yearYou could just print it I don’t see the big deal about the card…
skyza5 monthsyeah, your right doggirl303, that card is PRICELESS
sylent_gamer28over 1 yearit looks really old though
eolschki2020over 1 yearI would've expected it to be a maximum of like 100,000 but 7.2 million!
shortwaveover 1 yearI always thought that a baseball card this is worth over 10000$ is a bit much but hey. there are people who have and are willing to pay that much money- doggirl303over 1 yearHAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! 🎊🎆
riniroroholoover 1 yearI love Babe Ruth but I honestly wouldn't buy this. Imagine losing the card worth 7.2 million 😭💀
lovehistoyover 1 yearWow that's a lot of money $$$
sharky1234over 1 yearmerry xmas
billytheponyover 1 yearYou too! 😀
damoneyover 1 yearwow super cool!
biggienono_15over 1 yearI agree! this Babe Ruth card is super cool!
