Million-Dollar Babe Ruth Rookie Card Goes to Auction: A 1915 Red Sox Rarity

• Posted: January 18, 2024, 11:24 pm
• in Sports Card News
• by bionic

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In an upcoming significant event for baseball memorabilia collectors, a rare 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, which includes Babe Ruth in his rookie season, is set to be auctioned. This collectible is exceptionally rare, being one of only ten such graded postcards in existence.

Heritage Auctions is preparing to showcase this unique item in its February Platinum Auction. The card, notable for its high grade, has been rated PSA 6 and is expected to attract bids exceeding $1 million.

The postcard captures the Red Sox team, labeled as the “American League Champions,” suggesting its release around the time of the 1915 World Series. In the team photo, Babe Ruth is positioned in the back row.

The 1915 World Series games were held at Braves Field, chosen for its larger seating capacity over the newly built Fenway Park. This venue was typically home to Boston's National League team.

Each Red Sox player is identified by surname and position on the postcard. Ruth is seen next to Carl Mays, another rookie pitcher who later joined Ruth on the 1920 New York Yankees. Mays is remembered for a pitch that fatally struck Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper are also featured on the card.

This auction follows the recent sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which fetched $7.25 million. Both the 1914 and 1915 Ruth cards have only ten known graded examples.

Described by Heritage Auctions as one of the most significant trading cards in the hobby's history, this 1915 postcard is expected to generate substantial interest. The auction is scheduled to start on February 2nd, presenting a rare opportunity for collectors and baseball history enthusiasts.