An incredibly rare and highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia is set to go up for auction later this month. The item in question is a 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, which notably includes a young, rookie Babe Ruth. This particular postcard is one of just ten graded examples known to exist, making it an extraordinary find for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The auction house, Heritage Auctions, is preparing to showcase this prized item in their highly anticipated February Platinum Auction. What sets this card apart is that it is the highest-graded Babe Ruth rookie year card in existence, having received a PSA rating of 6. In terms of value, it is estimated to fetch upwards of $1 million in the pre-sale.
The front of the postcard depicts the Red Sox team, with the label “American League Champions,” indicating that it was likely issued before or during the 1915 World Series. In the team photograph, Babe Ruth can be seen prominently positioned in the back row.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox played their games at Braves Field, as it had a larger seating capacity compared to the newly constructed Fenway Park. This decision allowed more fans to witness the team’s success on the field.
The postcard also features the names and playing positions of each member of the Red Sox team. Of particular note, Babe Ruth is shown standing next to Carl Mays, another rookie pitcher at the time. Years later, Mays would join Ruth in playing for the 1920 New York Yankees. Mays is unfortunately remembered for a tragic incident in which his pitch struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. The card also includes Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
This auction comes shortly after the sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which fetched an astonishing $7.25 million. Interestingly, both the 1914 and 1915 cards have the same graded population of ten each, making them equally rare finds.
Heritage Auctions has described the 1915 postcard as one of the most significant trading cards ever to be offered in the auction market, emphasizing its rarity and historical value.
For baseball history collectors and fans of Babe Ruth alike, the auction bidding is set to begin on February 2nd, marking a meaningful event where enthusiasts can potentially acquire a piece of baseball’s iconic history.
