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1916 M101-4 Sporting News #151 Babe Ruth

Sold For: $132,000
Year: 1916
Auction: 2019 Spring
Lot #: 2
Auction: Prewar Baseball - 1910s and 1920s Cards
Graded GOOD 2 by PSA (submitted by REA). Very attractive 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, and it is a great pleasure for us to be able to offer an authentic example in any grade. 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 pitched in only 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. M101-4 cards have a glossy coated surface which is very susceptible to creasing. This card has a horizontal crease across his chest, a second vertical crease up from the bottom edge, and a light wrinkle by his right knee. The front is bright and clean. The image is bold and crisp with no commonly seen print lines, and centered to the right (which is especially common for this card). The square corners display light wear. The blank back is entirely clean. 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 strong and very striking example of one of the most famous, significant, and highly prized of all baseball cards. Reserve $25,000. Estimate $50,000++.
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