1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth GAI NM-MT+ 8.5

Sold For:

$46,400

Year:

1933

Auction:

2005 Spring

Lot #:

277

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1930s and 1940s Cards

Graded NM-MT+ 8.5 by GAI. Literally one of the finest examples of this classic card in existence. This is the only example graded by GAI at this extraordinary level, with none graded higher. The "yellow background" pose of Babe Ruth is, without a doubt, his most difficult to obtain and sought-after card in the 1933 Goudey set. For some reason this card is also a condition rarity compared with other Ruth cards in the set. We suspect that is because 1) it is from an early and relatively scarce series, and 2) it is the lowest number among the four Ruths in the 1933 Goudey set. Kids who collected this series and were lucky enough to get a #53 Ruth had plenty of time to enjoy the card as the baseball season wore on, and as the balance of the 1933 Goudey set was issued in the months ahead. The offered card is simply incredible in all respects. This is an exceptionally high-end NM-MT+ example, bordering on Mint. Perfect registration. Flawless colors. Sharp corners. Perfectly bright and clean, both front and back. Snow white borders and magnificent centering all around. The reverse is also essentially unimprovable with extremely bold green-on-white printing. World-class example of one Babe Ruth's most important and highly prized baseball cards. Spectacular NM-MT+ example bordering on Mint territory. Reserve $10,000. Estimate $25,000/$50,000. SOLD FOR $46,400.00