Rare Babe Ruth Rookie Card Sells For $7.2 Million!
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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
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60 Comments
skiles28almost 2 yearsBabe Ruth one of the goats
user5897almost 2 years7.2 million dollars… You could use that to do so much… you could donate it to charity, use it to invest in the stock market, but personally I don’t understand why people would want to buy it.- pkmnmalmost 2 yearsyou buy it to sell it later on for a profit
zeus56almost 2 yearsYeah there's no point in buying it.
zacharymichelalmost 2 yearsWhy would someone spend 7.2 million dollars on a card you can't even use?- coltona14almost 2 yearsi have a becket 10 black label Charizard tag team thats worth like 4k, but imagine having a card worth 7.2 million . its sad how people buy things like that
potatodudealmost 2 yearsBro, I only have like a 25th-anniversary Pikachu worth like $20.- zeus56almost 2 yearsI only have a $30 dollar run over Mewtwo.
slay-123almost 2 yearsThat's a lot of money 🤑
oreocookie64almost 2 yearsThat's insane, but I can sorta see why because it's over 100 years old and Babe Ruth has made a serious impact on the baseball word, to simply put it.
rnkimalmost 2 yearsThats crazy! The most expensive card I own is a 60 dollar charizard in bad condition. :'(
williamleealmost 2 yearsThe most expensive I have is a charizard + Reshriham gx tag team from 2019 in good condition. PSA 8.5
easy11almost 2 yearsI need to save my Pokémon cards then.- slay-123almost 2 yearsI have a old card I forgot the name but bad condition I can sell it for about 50$