One of only two known examples of a rookie era Babe Ruth postcard, featuring an image of the young Bambino at spring training, sold for $160,736 over the weekend, topping Memory Lane’s Winter Rarities Auction.
The image, taken at the Red Sox spring camp in Hot Springs, Arkansas, is considered a real photo postcard, having been developed on period photo paper directly from the original glass negative. The unique photo isn’t seen on any other Ruth card. Bidding had opened at $50,000.
Several rare Ruth items were the focal point of the auction. A 1920 card handed out to promote his 1920 movie, Headin’ Home, sold for $84,998. Graded 2 by PSA, it is among the first cards to feature Ruth as a Yankee and one of only three copies ever encapsulated by PSA.
A recently discovered barnstorming tour advertising card featuring Ruth and graded 1.5, realized $61,909. The card shows Ruth completing a swing as he moves toward first base, stands as one of only three copies encapsulated by grading companies.
A high grade set of 1911 T3 Turkey Red cabinet cards was broken up and sold with a PSA 6 Ty Cobb netting $105,306. Only two examples have ever been graded at a higher level. A Christy Mathewson (checklist back), also graded PSA 6, sold for $86,947.
A high grade 1953 Topps set was also parted out. Among the notable sales were a PSA 9 copy of card #237, Bud Podbielan, that netted $65,605. The card is a pop 2. A PSA 9 Yogi Berra (none higher) reached $54,706.
A 1915 Cracker Jack Grover Cleveland Alexander Base PSA 8 (pop 16) set a new record for the grade when it sold for $55,498.
Mickey Mantle cards factored heavily into the sale with a PSA 4 copy of his ever popular 1952 Topps issue selling for $106,669. A group of signed vintage Mantle cards sold as well, with 1953 Bowman, 1954 Bowman and 1961 Topps cards, all bearing high quality Mantle autographs, sold for $18,225 each.
When it comes to high-grade set building, collectors aren’t afraid to spend on low pop single cards that are typically available in ungraded form for a couple of bucks. Case in point: a 1974 Topps #575 Steve Garvey PSA 10 that soared to $33,133 and a 1975 Topps Ken Griffey PSA 10 that rocketed to $22,476.
The auction included dozens of vintage unopened packs and boxes, including 1978 and ’79 Topps Baseball vending cases that sold for $29,724 and $33,586, respectively.
The ninth best 1952 Bowman Large Football set on PSA’s registry sold as is for $31,986. Collectors also pounced on a 1948 Leaf Sammy Baugh Maroon Jersey #34 PSA 8 (pop 10). The card set a new record price at $22,054.
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