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Graded VG-EX 4 by PSA. Presented is a magnificent example of Babe Ruth's rookie card, universally regarded as one of card collecting's most recognizable and highly prized baseball-card rarities. 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. It is our opinion that both qualify equally 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. This particular example is crisp and clean on front, with four strong corners displaying only light wear, and a flawless image of a slender Ruth in his pitching follow-through. Centered to the right with a faint print line related to the manufacturing process partially visible near Ruth's waist. The card easily presents as Excellent from the front but has been downgraded due to a stain on the blank reverse, which is very likely related to storage in and removal from an album long ago. Babe Ruth's Sporting News rookie card has long been considered one of the hobby's great "blue chip" cards, and demand is always strong in any condition. Recently, the M101-4/5 Ruth cards have experienced a renewed level of collector interest, generating remarkable prices every time they sell. This is a strong and very striking example of one of the most famous, significant, and highly prized of all baseball cards. Reserve $20,000. Estimate (open).