Spring 2020 - Item detail
1916 M101-5 Sporting News #151 Babe Ruth Rookie
- Sold For:
- $45,600
- Year:
- 1916
- Auction:
- 2020 Spring
- Lot #:
- 709
- Category:
- Prewar Baseball - 1910s and 1920s Cards
Presented is a relatively affordable example of Babe Ruth's rookie card, universally regarded as one of card collecting's most recognizable and highly prized baseball-card rarities. This is a card that is a classic in any condition, and it is a great pleasure for us to be able to offer an authentic example in any grade. It would be hard for a piece of cardboard to better symbolize the history, the essence of American sport, than this Sporting News rookie card of Babe Ruth. Ruth had pitched only in four games with Boston in 1915 but fortunately impressed the card manufacturer enough to warrant inclusion in this major issue. The distinction between the rookie status of the M101-4 and M101-5 Ruth cards, which feature the very same image and card number, has been blurred since it has been discovered that both sets were actually issued in 1916. Both qualify for the equivalent status as Ruth's first Major League card. (Note: The 1914 Baltimore News card of Ruth featuring him as a minor leaguer, of course, predates both the M101-4/5 issues.) The rookie card of Babe Ruth is one of the most significant cards in all of card collecting! Encapsulated as "Authentic" by SGC, the card as can easily be seen has various condition flaws, including rounded corners, heavy creases, and the upper right portion missing. The image of Ruth remains bold and crisp. The blank back has evidence of album removal. Recent auction results have signaled a tremendous increase in demand (and prices realized) for all items related to Ruth, and the offered card is at the top of any list of important items around which to build a collection. This is a rather exciting card in that it is a relatively affordable example of one of the most famous and highly prized of all baseball cards, potentially available at a fraction of the cost of a numerically graded example. Reserve $10,000. Estimate $20,000+.