Decades ago, it was apparently just one Yankee fan’s treasured memory: a 1934 Exhibit card featuring four greats who at some point added their signatures. Within a few weeks, it’s expected to fetch a small treasure when the 4-in-1 card featuring Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Gomez and Bill Dickey sells through Heritage Auctions.
Still bearing some hand-written player notations and scrapbook residue on the back, the card is expected to bring at least $50,000 when bidding closes October 18. The current high bid, with the buyer’s premium added, is already over $19,000.
The autographs, authenticated by PSA/DNA, have all been applied with the same blue fountain pen ink, with Heritage scoring each at 5-10. The Ruth and Gehrig signatures are the strongest of the quartet. Aside from the issues with the back, the card remains in solid shape, with only a small amount of corner wear.
All four players shown on the card were eventually elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The 1934 season saw Gehrig enjoy a Triple Crown season in which he batted .363 with 49 homers and 166 RBI. Somehow, he finished only fifth the MVP voting in 1934.
The card is one of hundreds of items up for bid in the newly launched Heritage catalog auction, which closes over a two-day period October 18-19.
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