1933 Worch Cigar Babe Ruth PSA VG-EX 4

Sold For:

$10,800

Year:

1933

Auction:

2020 Fall

Lot #:

742

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1930s and 1940s Cards

Graded VG-EX 4 by PSA (submitted by REA). Extremely rare high-quality postcard-sized premium card (3-3/8 x 5-3/8 inches) of Babe Ruth issued by the Worch Cigar Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. Ruth, of course, is the key card from this very scarce premium tobacco set, which was made available only by mail. The real-photo sepia-toned image features the legendary “Bambino” in his classic batting pose. This same pose was also used in R316. Ruth's name and team appear in the lower-right corner. This is one of only two examples (name and team variation) graded at this level by PSA with just one higher. The card is bright and clean, with light wear to the corners (more so on the lower left), a small crease on the bottom border, and a virtually flawless blank back. This is a very interesting set both because of the glossy real-photo high-quality of the issue, and the fact that it is the only American baseball-card tobacco issue of the era. By 1933, baseball-card issues by tobacco companies were the long-forgotten standard that had been replaced by cards issued with bubble gum and candy. Cards issued with tobacco were throwbacks to what was then "the old days," and apparently it was not a particularly successful promotion as it lasted only a single year. Baseball cards were not issued with tobacco in America again until the Red Man Chewing Tobacco sets of the early 1950s. This is a particularly rare, extremely attractive, and noteworthy Babe Ruth card, dating from his playing days with the New York Yankees. Reserve $2,500. Estimate (open).