Ruth v. Wagner v. Cobb v. Jackson v. Mantle.....

[LincolnVT]

I've been collecting for a few decades now...over the years I have seen the hobby and big names and values come and go. In the past few years I have been fortunate enough to pick up some real nice Ruth pieces. I'm interested in what people think about the Ruth craze....

The beautiful thing about our hobby is that it offers something, a collection for everyone....those that like raw cards, those who collect to invest and those who collect everything and anything....from pre-war cards to ripping 2014 packs. Is it just me or has Babe Ruth finally and undoubtably become the premier player to collect? In watching several auctions in the past year, it seems to me like the Ruth items (in some cases even fairly common examples) are drawing many more bids and much higher prices than comparable Wagner, Cobb, Jackson and Mantle items....your thoughts...

[pcoz]

I think Ruth cards/memorabilia have been a bit undervalued for far too long, so it seems like he's been running away with the hobby the past couple of years. But, I'd put him and Jackson on the top rung, followed by Cobb and Wagner a close second.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Ruth is the best player of all time in virtually every legitimate ranking, if not every one. Add in the home runs, New York, the outsize personality, and so on, and he is in a class by himself. No surprise that he is the dominant player in the hobby. And Mantle, though by no means number 2 as a player, is probably second in hobby stature due to home runs, New York, and for lack of a better word, duende. Mystique, charisma, what have you. Cobb, Wagner, Mays, Aaron, Williams -- all better baseball players than Mantle. But not in the eyes of collectors.

[Leon]

Ruth's mystique has grown more than the others. He is the most famous player of all time in America's pastime sport.

[Huysmans]

Yeah, Ruth had that larger-than-life persona, accentuated by his tape measure home runs and lovable antics, which is a great attraction to collectors. Cobb though, not only arguably the greatest player on paper, had that rough exterior and troubled personality that all great "artists" seem to struggle with, and lament. Terry Sawchuk is another perfect example of an athlete that regardless of fame and success, couldn't seem to garner happiness or contentment.

[chipperhank44]

Ruth is the best player of all time in virtually every legitimate ranking, if not every one. Add in the home runs, New York, the outsize personality, and so on, and he is in a class by himself. No surprise that he is the dominant player in the hobby. And Mantle, though by no means number 2 as a player, is probably second in hobby stature due to home runs, New York, and for lack of a better word, duende. Mystique, charisma, what have you. Cobb, Wagner, Mays, Aaron, Williams -- all better baseball players than Mantle. But not in the eyes of collectors.

Very true about Mantle. His '51 Bowman and '52 Topps (along with early high grade examples) continue to set sales records each time they are offered at auction. It's that Yankees mystique. I'm sure some of you have seen the outrageous prices people are paying for Jeter's stuff lately...

[camlov2]

If there were the same number cards available for each of the five mentioned I believe that Mantle and Ruth would be the most desirable/most expensive/hardest to acquire. Mantle's demand is spread out due to the large number of his cards available within the topps sets.