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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2020 TOPPS DYNASTY BABE RUTH CUT AUTOGRAPH GAME USED DUAL BAT RELIC AUTO 1/1 WOW
44 bids - Price: $11,000.99 - Watchers: 192
Item #174542064975
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144 SGC 3.5
10 bids - Price: $280.00 - Watchers: 89
Item #193775738512
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1999 UD Piece Of History 500 Club Babe Ruth Hank Aaron Willie Mays Bat PSA 10
19 bids - Price: $2,225.00 - Watchers: 71
Item #373368693958
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53 SGC 4
17 bids - Price: $1,075.00 - Watchers: 66
Item #193775730859
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53 PSA 5 EX (PWCC-A)
15 bids - Price: $9,100.00 - Watchers: 63
Item #353304511908
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144 PSA 1.5 PR
8 bids - Price: $76.00 - Watchers: 62
Item #143871348358
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1932 BABE Ruth Sanela Margarine #83 wonderful RARE Type 3 card PSA 5 EX
30 bids - Price: $260.00 - Watchers: 55
Item #324395261899
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1999 UD Piece Of History Babe Ruth HOF GU Bat PSA 10 GEM MINT
30 bids - Price: $2,900.00 - Watchers: 55
Item #373368692025
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2019 PANINI FLAWLESS BABE RUTH TY COBB HONUS WAGNER BAT RELIC 11/20!
19 bids - Price: $167.50 - Watchers: 48
Item #164542411871
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #149 SGC 1 PR
10 bids - Price: $860.00 - Watchers: 39
Item #143871348362
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1916 POST EXPRESS BABE RUTH AUTHENTIC GRADED VSA NM-Mt 8 VINTAGE RED SOX YANKEES
25 bids - Price: $102.50 - Watchers: 37
Item #154218840671
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #181 SGC 3 VG
8 bids - Price: $1,410.00 - Watchers: 37
Item #402589053094
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BABE Ruth + Max Schmeling 1932 Bulgaria cigarrettes card PSA 4
26 bids - Price: $119.50 - Watchers: 36
Item #324395248087
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1921 W551 BABE RUTH NEW YORK YANKEES PSA AUTHENTIC HAND CUT
22 bids - Price: $242.50 - Watchers: 34
Item #224261985185
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1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53
39 bids - Price: $167.50 - Watchers: 34
Item #383831477282
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2020 TOPPS BABE RUTH #562 & LOU GEHRIG #U122 SP SHORT PRINTS SERIES 2 UPDATE
7 bids - Price: $56.00 - Watchers: 31
Item #154216632999
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1920 W520 Babe Ruth #13 PSA AUTH
10 bids - Price: $750.00 - Watchers: 30
Item #143871348011
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1933 Goudey Sport Kings Babe Ruth #2 PSA 7 NRMT (PWCC-A)
8 bids - Price: $7,300.00 - Watchers: 30
Item #402589053785
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1934 Babe Ruth Butterfinger Premium R310, Photograph psa authentic altered
17 bids - Price: $125.95 - Watchers: 29
Item #333808055149
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1917 E135 Collins-McCarthy Babe Ruth #147 SGC Auth
10 bids - Price: $1,150.00 - Watchers: 29
Item #402589052488
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Related Stories:
Vintage Babe Ruth Cards Within Reach
Notes: 1933 Goudey Other Cards Soar at Auction
Donuts and Cards: D146 Issue Featured Ruth, Rockne, Grange
Many Key Releases Found Within M-Card Classification
Rare 1920 Ruth “Yankees” Mendelsohn Card Up for Grabs
1930s Gum/Candy Cards Came in All Shapes and Sizes
1941 Goudey Set Marked End of an Era
1930s Goudey Issues Included More Than Standard Cards
1933 Uncle Jack’s Candy Unopened Pack with Ruth at Auction
1933 Butter Cream Confectionery Set is Different, Scarce
