The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore is hoping for an influx of visitors now that the summer tourist season has arrived. Their newest attraction is quite a sight for card collectors.
Earlier this spring, they cut the ribbon on the new “Making of a Legend” exhibit that features the multi-million dollar 1914 Baltimore News Ruth card (SGC 3) and 14 other cards from the set, which was produced when the 19-year-old Babe was toiling for his hometown Orioles, then a minor league squad.
Only about ten copies of what is Ruth’s first appearance on a card are known to exist and this one is likely worth a high seven figure price or more. One percent of it is owned by shareholders who bought them for $3 each through Collectable, the fractional platform (they’re now trading for around $4.30 per share).
The cards are on loan indefinitely from a private collector in Florida who struck a deal to buy the Ruth card last year. It was acquired from the descendants of the original owner and was the subject of some legal wrangling. It had been on display at the Ruth Museum for years prior to being purchased and graded by the collector who now owns it.
“The Making of a Legend” also includes the scorebook from Ruth’s first professional game on April 22, 1914, among other memorabilia.
The museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM (6 PM during Orioles home games at Camden Yards.
Here’s a look inside the exhibit (click the photos for full size images).
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