Babe Ruth Investment?

[theotobel]

Hello everyone!

I am a new collector - I am 14 years old.
I am very interested in obtaining a Babe Ruth card for an investment.
What is the best Babe Ruth card to invest in for less than $5,000?

Go Dodgers!

Thanks,
Theo Tobel

[conor912]

Originally Posted by theotobel

Hello everyone!

I am a new collector - I am 14 years old.
I am very interested in obtaining a Babe Ruth card for an investment.
What is the best Babe Ruth card to invest in for less than $5,000?

Go Dodgers!

Thanks,
Theo Tobel

Hey Theo. Welcome to the board. My honest advice to anyone just joining the hobby, and particularly at your age, would be not to start with a $5,000 card.

[todeen]

Originally Posted by conor912

Hey Theo. Welcome to the board. My honest advice to anyone just joining the hobby, and particularly at your age, would be not to start with a $5,000 card.

+1 agree! But welcome to the hobby!

But to answer your question about Babe Ruth, there are lots of options available for a card. There is the Sanella card that is available for $200. There is the Churchmans sports of the world series card for about $200. Then there are some photos available like the 1934 Butterfinger, and the 1934 Quaker Oats that are between $100-$800 depending on quality.

But like the previous poster stated, for your age and being new to the hobby, you should experiment to see what you like. Some collectors like the thrill of opening packs or even boxes. Some like seeking out autographs. Others collect memorabilia. Some people collect archived news photos. There are so many different corners of the hobby. I suggest likewise you explore the areas of collecting before making a rush to invest so heavily on a single card.

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[Johnny630]

Welcome to the hobby Theo :-) it’s exciting to know that
young collectors like yourself are interested into vintage cards !

I would take $4,500 of that $5,000 you have and buy some McDonald’s or Apple Stock. Take the remaining $500 and buy some vintage cards !
I wouldn’t recommend vintage cards as an investment at these ultra inflated current levels. The only time I would even Consider investing in cards is during a Significant US economic recession. That would be the only time. In the mean time spend a little money in cards to enjoy the hobby save the investing for something else :-) most of all have fun!

[swarmee]

In that price range, I would bet most will recommend a 1933 Goudey. Classic
and colorful set, four possible Ruths to choose from. You can get one in VG-EX condition for around what you have to spend.


There aren't a lot of mainstream Ruth cards from his playing days because there weren't a lot of cards made of him. Most people ignore the strip cards because their images are cartoonish and their production quality were pretty awful. So you're stuck with oversized cards/photos pasted to cardboard backings or the Goudeys.

The Sport Kings is cool too, but the set is not as well collected. They're a little more niche.

[Rhotchkiss]

Welcome and I fully agree with the sentiment that it’s great to see a young guy interested in vintage; you are wise beyond your years. I disagree with Johnny that vintage is not a good investment - I think it’s a great investment (especially Ruth), but you need to be long/looking to hold for a while through economic cycles.

Regarding Ruth at your price range, I suggest the 1921 Exhibits. It’s undervalued, in my opinion, and is early Ruth and first-year Yankee, plus it’s a unique (and attractive) pose. For $5000 you should be able to get a nice looking 3-4, like the one below (no longer my card). Good luck!

[ejharrington]

Since you're a Dodgers fan, I would collect anything that has him in a Dodgers uniform. 1962 Venezuelan Topps for example.

I would not recommend collecting solely for investment.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by theotobel

What is the best Babe Ruth card to invest in for less than $5,000?

Go Dodgers!

1933 Goudey. He has 4 different cards.
Pick the one you like best or can get the best deal on.
Since you are a Dodgers fan, there is a 1962 Topps card that has him as a coach for the Dodgers. That might be a good 2nd card to pick up as it is pretty cheap. You can never go wrong with Ruth.

[bigfish]

Originally Posted by theotobel

Hello everyone!

I am a new collector - I am 14 years old.
I am very interested in obtaining a Babe Ruth card for an investment.
What is the best Babe Ruth card to invest in for less than $5,000?

Go Dodgers!

Thanks,
Theo Tobel

For a 5000 budget go with a nice 21 exhibit or a nicely centered 33 goudey. Babe Ruth is recession proof!

[BabyRuth]

Welcome to the board!!

I would definitely recommend the 33 Goudey Ruths as the cards to own.
That's where I started, picked up #181 about 20 years ago, and now I'm well over 120 vintage Ruth cards and counting!!!

Always buy Babe Ruth cards, he's not going to have a bad year.

Enjoy your Ruth search

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by theotobel

Hello everyone!

I am a new collector - I am 14 years old.
I am very interested in obtaining a Babe Ruth card for an investment.
What is the best Babe Ruth card to invest in for less than $5,000?

Go Dodgers!

Thanks,
Theo Tobel

Welcome.

First of all, at your age, you should not be spending that kind of money on cards. During your teenage years, you should just focus on educating yourself on the hobby. I remember I used to have hobby magazines scattered all over my bed and I'd read the forums using my free dial-up Internet connection. I was like a sponge during those years; I just absorbed everything I could. By the time I was making money in my early twenties, I knew exactly what moves to make, and I didn't have to ask anyone for advice either. And yes, that's the second point I want to make, and that is never ask other people what to do with your money. If you find yourself doing that frequently, then it means you don't know much, and if you don't know much, then you definitely shouldn't be spending large amounts like that. Knowledge is power, my friend. Have fun learning about the hobby.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Welcome.

First of all, at your age, you should not be spending that kind of money on cards. During your teenage years, you should just focus on educating yourself on the hobby. I remember I used to have hobby magazines scattered all over my bed and I'd read the forums using my free dial-up Internet connection. I was like a sponge during those years; I just absorbed everything I could. By the time I was making money in my early twenties, I knew exactly what moves to make, and I didn't have to ask anyone for advice either. And yes, that's the second point I want to make, and that is never ask other people what to do with your money. If you find yourself doing that frequently, then it means you don't know much, and if you don't know much, then you definitely shouldn't be spending large amounts like that. Knowledge is power, my friend. Have fun learning about the hobby.

THEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You don’t have to worry about this kid — Theo is the smartest 14 year old around and will be the GM of a team someday. He is hugely knowledgeable not just about baseball but the numbers beneath the game. He knows what he’s doing.

[calvindog]

And I would agree that a 1921 Exhibit or any of the four 1933 Goudey cards in a graded holder would make a great investment.

[EvilKing00]

Id agree with what almost everyone has said. Dont blow 5000 on a card. There are plenys of ruth cards u can have for much less to start off. Get a nice looking card or 2 for 300 -500 each. Put the rest in in a stock like at&t that pays a nice dividend.

[Bicem]

This.

[Bicem]

Or this

Or this

Or this

Really any great looking, early or iconic Ruth item is a better investment vs the more mainstream cards in my opinion.

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Or this



Or this



Or this



Really any great looking, early or iconic Ruth item is a better investment vs the more mainstream cards in my opinion.

Fun suggestions!

Theo - if you go a route like this, at an auction house, you’ll need to brush up on rules, including if you need to bid on a certain item before “extended bidding” in order to continue bidding on it, bid increments, what additional buyers fee (plus handling fees, etc.) there are and more. Not to mention that you’ll need to set up an account with the auction house (typically abbreviated “AH” in many posts). It is a different beast than eBay.

Good luck and most importantly, have fun!


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[itslarry]

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Welcome.

First of all, at your age, you should not be spending that kind of money on cards. During your teenage years, you should just focus on educating yourself on the hobby. I remember I used to have hobby magazines scattered all over my bed and I'd read the forums using my free dial-up Internet connection. I was like a sponge during those years; I just absorbed everything I could. By the time I was making money in my early twenties, I knew exactly what moves to make, and I didn't have to ask anyone for advice either. And yes, that's the second point I want to make, and that is never ask other people what to do with your money. If you find yourself doing that frequently, then it means you don't know much, and if you don't know much, then you definitely shouldn't be spending large amounts like that. Knowledge is power, my friend. Have fun learning about the hobby.

Ok, boomer. Maybe the kid is makign money? Dont have to be old to be rich.

How old should you be to buy pieces of cardboard ment for kids?

[1952boyntoncollector]

if I have 60 years to invest. an index fund is a far better investment that follows the market.. I think if you invested 10,000, 40 years ago, and if you reinvested all dividends you make about 600k or something...wont get that with a ruth


plus if people have tons of money to invest in big time cards, there is an argument that the stock market would have to be doing really well for that as well.

[ullmandds]

People! The kid asked for advice on buying a babe ruth card...not financial/estate planning advice! Not the best way to maximize his return on his 5K!

I might also suggest a decent babe ruth autographed ball as an alternative.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by 1952boyntoncollector

if I have 60 years to invest. an index fund is a far better investment that follows the market.. I think if you invested 10,000, 40 years ago, and if you reinvested all dividends you make about 600k or something...wont get that with a ruth


plus if people have tons of money to invest in big time cards, there is an argument that the stock market would have to be doing really well for that as well.

In 1986, you could have bought 3 52 Mantles from Rosen's find. What are they worth today? Don't you think if he has 5k today for a Ruth card, he may already be or soon be investing in other things too?

[1952boyntoncollector]

Originally Posted by rats60

In 1986, you could have bought 3 52 Mantles from Rosen's find. What are they worth today? Don't you think if he has 5k today for a Ruth card, he may already be or soon be investing in other things too?

no idea..but you are saying from Rosen fine ..if you bought 3 1952 PSA 4 mantles, that wouldnt of outplayed the market in 40 years..

basically 99 percent of cards would not have outgained the market in 40 years with 5,000 dollars...... most of us dont have 40 years...he does..

plus they are tied together..if the market tanks....i imagine cards do as well or a large portion


i have met collectors with all of their savings into cards and nothing in traditional investments, i wouldnt assume anything

Its ok for risk i get it..but 99 percent versus 1 percent.....is a different story

[todeen]

Also, location can make a difference when buying cards. I live in eastern Washington, which is very different than the Seattle area. Vintage card prices are cheaper in card shops in Spokane, WA, than in Seattle. This black Friday my local card shop is having a sale and i am looking at saving money on my purchase that i would not normally get.

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[Leon]

As others have said, a nice Goudey Ruth would be a good investment. However, at 14 yrs old I would probably diversify a bit and not have all of my eggs in one basket (assuming the 5k is the budget.) But the main thing would be to take your time and know what you are buying. AND don't just rely on a slabbed card. Make sure it meets the characteristics of others in the set. And remember, the hunt can be a LOT of the fun.

Originally Posted by theotobel

Hello everyone!

I am a new collector - I am 14 years old.
I am very interested in obtaining a Babe Ruth card for an investment.
What is the best Babe Ruth card to invest in for less than $5,000?

Go Dodgers!

Thanks,
Theo Tobel

[Peter_Spaeth]

For one Ruth, I would go with whichever 33 Goudey you like the best. It's hard to imagine a more classic baseball card.