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Graded VG 40 by SGC. Extremely attractive mid-grade example of Babe Ruth's rookie card, universally regarded as one of card collecting's most recognizable and highly prized baseball-card rarities. This is a card that is a classic in any condition! It would be hard for a piece of cardboard to better symbolize the history, the essence of American sport, than this Sporting News rookie card of Babe Ruth. Ruth had only pitched in four games with Boston in 1915 but fortunately impressed the card manufacturer enough to warrant inclusion in this major issue. The distinction between the rookie status of the M101-4 and M101-5 Ruth cards, which feature the very same image and card number, has been blurred since it has been discovered that both sets were actually issued in 1916. Both qualify for the equivalent status as Ruth's first Major League card. (Note: The 1914 Baltimore News card of Ruth featuring him as a minor leaguer, of course, predates both the M101-4/5 issues.) The rookie card of Babe Ruth is one of the most significant cards in all of card collecting. The offered example possesses superb centering, far better than normally encountered with the Ruth rookie card, a crisp image, and near-flawless registration. The corners show light, even wear (slightly more to the upper left), with mild surface chipping along the left border, and a tiny surface chip near Ruth's pitching hand (barely noticeable but mentioned for the sake of accuracy). The blank reverse is entirely clean, with a very faint horizontal wrinkle extending from side to side and visible under close inspection. This is a very striking card with outstanding eye-appeal. While this card will be much more affordable than a higher-grade example, all Ruth rookie cards have seen a tremendous surge in pricing as collectors appreciate the hobby's most important cards in all grades. This is a magnificent mid-grade example of one of the most famous and highly prized of all baseball cards.  Reserve $10,000. Estimate $25,000++.