Babe Ruth’s big league debut on July 11, 1914 came just after what is now the rarest, perhaps most sought after baseball card ever made: the 1914 Baltimore News Ruth promo card, which pictures him in the final days of his minor league career. You won’t find it among the hottest Babe Ruth cards for sale on eBay. Most of the time, on the rare occasions when they’re offered, they go into major catalog
auctions where they sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
However, you can find all kinds of vintage cards of the Bambino up for grabs most any time. Some are very expensive; others surprisingly not. Make no mistake, though. The market for Babe Ruth memorabilia has ne
ver been better.
Babe Ruth Rookie Cards Were Just the Start
In 1916, Ruth would be pictured on a wide-ranging series of rectangular cards that were distributed by The Sporting News, clothing stores and other outlets looking to promote themselves via pictures of baseball players. Those are considered his ‘official’ rookie cards.
Ruth’s career lasted through one World War, the roaring 20’s and the onset of the Depression and any original cards that have been authenticated will find no shortage of interest. Every grade has a buyer.
The Babe has been gone a long time now, but he’s definitely not forgotten by collectors who chase the most popular Babe Ruth cards with abandon. He’s the key to virtually any set he ever appeared in.
‘Relic cards’ and the rare autograph cut cards are the premier prizes in any modern trading card issue.
Most Valuable Babe Ruth Cards
Ruth’s earliest cards have been increasing in value at a clip that would surpass just about any investment out there. Oh, to be the owner of that Ruth card who saw a six-year return of more than 100% when his card sold for over $450,000 .
From those that feature him as an ace pitcher to the mid-1930’s Goudey cards, produced as his career was winding down, everyone wants to someday own an original, vintage Ruth card. Many of the best are sold via catalog auctions. Others are in store inventories or sold in eBay auctions.
You want to see rare Babe Ruth cards for sale? How about plunking down $65,000 for a 1928 Sweetman?
The market for Ruth cards is vibrant with those vintage dandies competing with some of the new chase cards. Here’s a real-time list of the current most watched Babe Ruth cards for sale on eBay. You can bookmark this page and check back regularly to see what collectors and dealers are tracking:
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #181 PSA 1.5 FR (PWCC-E)
36 bids - Price: $4,050.00 - Watchers: 207
Item #353033625282
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144 PSA 4 VGEX (PWCC)
44 bids - Price: $4,999.00 - Watchers: 152
Item #402200183055
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53 PSA 4.5 VGEX+ (PWCC)
37 bids - Price: $9,100.00 - Watchers: 147
Item #402200182592
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1921 E121 American Caramel Series Of 80 Babe Ruth SGC 2 GD (PWCC-E)
46 bids - Price: $18,100.00 - Watchers: 112
Item #353033615805
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1948 Leaf Babe Ruth #3 PSA 5 EX (PWCC)
31 bids - Price: $1,850.00 - Watchers: 94
Item #353033647079
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1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth BVG PSA 2.0
32 bids - Price: $1,802.08 - Watchers: 71
Item #362964621841
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #181 SGC 2
17 bids - Price: $1,308.00 - Watchers: 55
Item #153888753518
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1923 W515-1 Strip Card Babe Ruth #3 SGC 3 VG (PWCC-E)
28 bids - Price: $460.00 - Watchers: 53
Item #353033620160
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1948 Leaf Babe Ruth #3 SGC Auth (PWCC)
19 bids - Price: $970.00 - Watchers: 52
Item #402200201096
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Babe Ruth 1932 Sanella PSA 3 Margarine Type 2 German Pre-1933 Goudey VG (BVG?)
8 bids - Price: $127.50 - Watchers: 43
Item #274328795879
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Ty Cobb Babe Ruth Autograph Signed 1935 Dollar Bill Blue Note Certificate
44 bids - Price: $205.00 - Watchers: 41
Item #362962764743
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BABE RUTH LOU GEHRIG JERSEY BAT PATCH /5 2016 PANINI PRIME CUTS SP JERSEY # 1/1
26 bids - Price: $265.00 - Watchers: 41
Item #402200473762
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1932 Sanella Margarine Type 2 Babe Ruth PSA 5 EX (PWCC)
15 bids - Price: $255.00 - Watchers: 40
Item #143571037208
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1934 Quaker Oats Baseball Club Pin Babe Ruth PSA 6 EXMT (PWCC)
12 bids - Price: $156.50 - Watchers: 38
Item #353033626912
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1928 George Ruth Candy Babe Ruth #1 SGC 5.5 EX+ (PWCC)
18 bids - Price: $907.00 - Watchers: 36
Item #353033623183
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2006 UD Exquisite * BABE RUTH * Game Worn Pinstripe Quad Relic JERSEY 6/15 LMBR
17 bids - Price: $411.00 - Watchers: 31
Item #283838408627
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2019 Panini Flawless Sapphire Mickey Mantle Babe Ruth Lou Gehrig HOF Bat /15
10 bids - Price: $223.50 - Watchers: 31
Item #362963971425
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1929 Churchman's Cigs. Babe Ruth Baseball USA #25 PSA 5 EX
28 bids - Price: $306.00 - Watchers: 30
Item #383489596841
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1933 Eclipse Import Set Break # 402 Babe Ruth SGC 1.5 FR
20 bids - Price: $698.88 - Watchers: 28
Item #324126656148
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1929 Churchman Sports & Games Babe Ruth #25 PSA 5 EX (PWCC-A)
17 bids - Price: $271.00 - Watchers: 28
Item #353033623188
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Related Stories:
Vintage Babe Ruth Cards Within Reach
1933 Uncle Jack’s Candy Unopened Pack with Ruth at Auction
1930s Goudey Issues Included More Than Standard Cards
1941 Goudey Set Marked End of an Era
1930s Gum/Candy Cards Came in All Shapes and Sizes
Rare 1920 Ruth “Yankees” Mendelsohn Card Up for Grabs
Many Key Releases Found Within M-Card Classification
Donuts and Cards: D146 Issue Featured Ruth, Rockne, Grange
Notes: 1933 Goudey Other Cards Soar at Auction
1933 Butter Cream Confectionery Set is Different, Scarce
