Babe Ruth
 

What’s your very favorite Ruth you own? Also the favorite you’d love to own regardless of cost or value. Share pics and enjoy!

Thanks all Josh.

I'll go first. I only own two "playing days" Ruth cards....both are pretty beat up. But they are two of my all time favorite cards in my collection...because they are baseball cards of BABE RUTH!

Here are my w517 and 1935 Goudey.

Attachment 517253

Attachment 517254

As far cards I WISH I owned? A 1933 Goudey 181 (the green Ruth) is my grail card. Part of the reason I like the 1935 is because it uses that same image.

While it's recent price increase may have put it out of reach forever, I've considered maybe cashing out my post war collection someday and putting all the funds into that one card.

This is my favorite. Financial considerations aside, I can't think of a Ruth card I'd rather have. Maybe the D350-1.

my first...and favorite ruth card !

Always loved this one. Not the most expensive, but that image is second to none.

I have and love the e121 montage. But I like your two pose montage better than the three pose.

Nice cards, gentlemen.

This will be shown up in short order, but it's mine, I could barely even have dreamed about it as a kid, and it's the centerpiece of my collection. I can show it to nearly anyone, collector or not, and they'll regard it with interest.

I only own two and they are my favorites, of course if money was no object I would own a 1914 Baltimore.
_

love these

That’s a beast and super tough one as well!

Incredible I’d like to own this as well some day they don’t come up often.

His w517 strip pair of cards I think are certainly his finest looking strip cards!

I'm going to cheat and post two cards. They are both among my favorites of all of my cards. The Goudey 144 is absolutely beautiful and maybe my favorite image on a card of all time. I was stunned that I was able to pick up the E220 last year. Love E220's, really love that it is from Ruth's prime, love the image, love everything about it!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6f71ddf9_c.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5ba16b6d_c.jpg

I don't think you can go wrong with this Ruth image. There are multiple cards I really like, but this image is probably my favorite. If money/cost were no object, I'd love to own the Baltimore News Ruth, but obviously that will never happen.

The Card I would Love to own if price was not an issue is R306 Butter Creme Bath Ruth Card

My Favorite Card I own is (Would Love to get a Boston Store to Match)

I would love his rookie in low low condition, but this one is my current favorite:

Attachment 517269

I have these 1933 Rittenhouse Candy Ruths

That Mendelsohn is great, Pete. I love the oversized cards.

I guess if I had to pick my favorite:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...-Alexander.jpg

The one I'd most like to own is the 1914 Baltimore News. And so no one is left hanging, let me answer the question: not gonna happen.

1916-20 unc big head
 

for some reason the B&W cards dont do it for me.
I used to have a 33 goudey....but you see the one i end up keeping

This is an impressive thread! My favorites are these oddball items that are the least valuable of my Ruth's.

The first being a Japanese book published in 1948. Babe Ruth: Immortal Home Run King (is what I'm told it says)

The 2nd being a transcript of a radio broadcast of the 1932 World Series that talks a out his called shot. Unfortunately it doesn't say he actually called his shot.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9c4538ddf6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...069670ea83.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1241789e89.jpg

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Tie:

My favorite Ruth card of all is Goudey 144 for its sheer looks. Even when I owned all 4 Goudeys, I would always look at the 144 first, last, and most.

If I were able to magically own any other Ruth card I would go with either the Frederick Foto or the Balt News.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0b1439a5_z.jpg

My favorite.

Those aren’t seen much and super cool some hate them but I feel they’re super cool!

My only one.

My favorite Ruth card I own. Best of the four Goudey Ruths in my opinion.
https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika...20Ruth%202.jpg

Another favorite
https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika...ge/DMcD115.jpg

The Ruth I wished I owned would be one of the 1916 M card rookies. Should have pulled the trigger ten years ago when they were going for under twenty grand which seemed preposterously expensive at the time. Who knew?

I agree if only any of us knew and what a fantastic exhibit!

Just love this set for some reason. There’s a great Sisler on eBay (not mine) if you want to add another one.

I have a number of faves, hard to pick one. I'll limit myself to 5 for now lol. Yea I love the Black and White issues!

If I won the Mega Millions I'd hunt for a Baltimore News and/or an M101 RC and a 1917 Collins/Boston store type among other rare ones...

Great cards everyone!! keep 'em coming!

The Ghost of Babe Ruth ~
 

My & One & Only :)

Will add my two Ruth favorites. Type II photo (haven't seen another one) and this postcard from Yankee stadium

I only have a small number of Ruth playing day cards. Of these, I like the image on the Sanella best.


If money was no object, I agree with others in this thread...the 1921 Exhibit is just a fantastic card - my favorite.

I also love the Black and Whites!

My favorite of all time...playing days 1919 W514.

Bold colors, just mesmerizing. 'Home Run King' says it all! The Babe's last Red Sox card (Red Sox colors) / 1st Yankees card. The Babino's Curse card, with fewer than 100 SGC and PSA graded examples. And, year of the White Sox WS scandal.

Most undervalued Ruth card IMHO. The Bambino has an entire US Baseball league in his honor, and his estate still makes more money annually than most of us here. A true legend, and a remarkable playing days card to memorialize that fact.

My favorite cards, in my favorite set. The red and yellow were bought in James T. Elder Auctions in 1972.

Wow. Not the point I know but do you remember what you would have paid back then? Some folks like to say Goudey ruth is “overrated” because the pops are high. Easy to forget they’re the best looking cards of the greatest player from one of the most important sets.

Babe Ruth
 

My favorite Ruth is this 1949 LEAF....because I paid only a penny for it in the Spring of 1949; and, I have a sentimental attachment to it.
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...baberuth49.jpg http://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan7...abeRuth25b.jpg



Aesthetically speaking, this one is also my favorite....

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...abeRuth149.jpg https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...beRuth149b.jpg




And, I will include this rarely seen 1949 LEAF Premium of the Babe......

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...BabeRuth25.jpg


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

Absolutely amazing buying that in the day, what a legacy!

This will be the 3rd vote for this one!
 

Definitely my favorite. Followed closely by Goudey #144.

Would be nice to own one of the black and white rookies with a printed back.

1933 goudey ruth #181 is my favorite

Thanks, Carter. I do remember what I paid for the first two. I was a sophomore in college and by necessity watched every penny. I was "rich" from my summer job and popped for $25 each. I was broke by October. The other two were bought at local card shows in the later '70s for; I think, around $50 each. Definitely less than $100. I love the entire set!

That’s amazing - thanks for sharing.

I'm on the #144 team.

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=10109

I'd really like to pick up an early '20's E or Exhibit. But I think that ship has sailed. :(

Here’s my one and only.

The sale of Babe Ruth to the Yankees was first announced on January 5, 1920. That says that at earliest this card is from 1920.

Great cards everyone
Enjoying this thread

Keep them coming

.

For me it is a toss up between the 1933 Sports King Ruth, and the 1932 U.S. Caramel Ruth. Back when I started collecting, Sports Kings Ruth was considerably cheaper than 1933 Goudey Ruth cards (although I would eventually own all four numbered variations of Ruth cards too). I love the standing, relaxed pose, and vivid bright green background. The U.S. Caramel Ruth while not an appealing image (IMHO), was rarely encountered in the pages of advertisements in Sports Collectors Digest. So the opportunity to add Ruth to the Cobb and Gehrig I already owned, at a price that fit my budget, was seized upon. Owning them still brings a smile to my face today. Thanks for the chance to walk down memory lane.

Mine has borders opposite of yours.... and a cool pose of a uniquely known 1927 Ruth Movie ad card.....

+1 Agreed. They're not even especially common. The double printed #144 only has ~2100 graded combined between PSA and SGC. You could add a 0 to the end of that number and still be nowhere close to meeting demand for the card.

Josh, there are a lot more favorites I DON'T own (eg that Collins Ruth above and several others shown) but here are some favorites of mine. I have a bit of a soft spot for the Cuban cards . . .

Wanted to post a couple of favorites that haven't shown up in the thread yet....

- a beat-up (but they usually are) Lections Ruth
- an uncut '33 Sport Kings sheet. Tough crease right through the Babe's face, but hard to get picky and wait for a nicer one!

Thanks for sharing your story, this is turning into a even more incredible thread than I anticipated!

Babe
 

Really nice items so far guys, keep them coming. Don`t own any Ruth cards, yes waited way too long to pull the trigger, but some nice memorabilia. Enclosed a snapshot of The Babe giving his agent Christie Walsh`s son some batting tips. Not sure of the year or uni, any guesses ?
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8108af1e_c.jpgThe Babe and Christy Walsh`s son snapshot. by Hugh Murphy, on Flickr

Babe Ruth
 

Sanella Ruth pasted in it's 1932 Album

https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...abeRuth25x.jpg




1934 BASEBALL MAGAZINE cover
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...eruthmag34.jpg
W560 strip card
https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...beRuthcard.jpg


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

A Sport Kings wasn't really on my radar for a 1933 Ruth, but this guy was the first '33 ever that fit my budget, so pulled the trigger just to see how it would feel to own one...and I really love it. Fragile and worn, but happy to be taking care of it now.

(That uncut sheet of Sport Kings above is insane, so many big cards on it, really neat!)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...e293dd648b.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So this one would be from Ruth's second year as a Yankee.

Yea sir it is! Nice card.

1930s Josetti Babe Ruth & Harold Lloyd
 

This isn't my favorite Ruth, but it's a crossover card that I really like because it fits two of my collections. I'm a bit of a 3d/photography/movie nerd (I have thousands of stereoviews and over 300 cameras & viewers). Lloyd was a lifelong 3d photography enthusiast. Most of his photos have only been seen by the family, but I was lucky enough to catch a presentation last year by his granddaughter Suzanne where she showed a good variety of them.

Attachment 517490

Lindt & Sprungli, that is a rare one. Nice card Eddie!

A few more you don't see too often.................

That transfer stamp is hardly ever seen. Nice!

This is mine...my wish list would be the 21 Exhibits or the 48 Leaf...JT

His 35 Goudey is great and much lower pop than people realize, it’s very difficult to find centered as well.

1929 Kashin Premium Ruth

Ruth was sold to NY in 1919:
''What Ruth didn’t know was that he was already the property of the New York Yankees. The papers were signed on Dec. 26, and cash had already changed hands.''

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/30/o...-baseball.html

Ruth was sold to NY in 1919:
''What Ruth didn’t know was that he was already the property of the New York Yankees. The papers were signed on Dec. 26, and cash had already changed hands.''

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/30/o...-baseball.html
Edit/Delete Message Reply With Quote Multi-Quote This Message Quick reply to this message

Are you saying that the card was produced in late December 1919 before the sale was announced to the public? I would not bet a lot on that being right.

I wasn't around back then to know for sure 😃 but the below article and research excerpt by John Dreker on 23 Jan 2021 related to Billy Southworth's Pirates card seems to make a pretty strong case that the W514 series was produced in the summer of 1919 (and likely released shortly after the start of 1920, given Ruth's NY Yankees team affiliation (yet Red Sox uniform sleeve color))....

''There are some questions based on player/team designations about the year/years of this set. Southworth helps a little here because he only played left field for the Pirates in 1919. Obviously it wouldn’t have been produced before he moved from right field to left at the start of the 1919 season. He moved back to right field for good on August 8th, so it likely wasn’t produced after the 1919 season ended because he went two months of the season (46 games) without a day in left field. That tells you that the set was probably produced in the summer of 1919, giving them enough time to realize he was in left field, while also allowing some time for his move back to right field mid-season to become permanent.

The blue on the collar and down the middle here was not part of the Pirates uniform during that time, though they did have blue in their colors. However, the black & white photo above has a red “P” on the left pocket, not blue. The blue lettering there came along in 1920. At that same time, the Pirates dropped the solid blue hats, so that color combo didn’t exist during his time in Pittsburgh. An artist was likely going off black & white photos with some notes, so I can’t really blame them for the errors.''

https://history.pittsburghbaseball.c...ly-southworth/

Babe Ruth
 

1948 Babe Ruth story cards


https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...ry4cards_1.jpg



TED Z

T206 Reference
.

That may or may not explain Southworth but there is no reason to believe that all the players were issued at the same time. If all the cards were issued in the middle of 1919 Ruth would be listed on the Red Sox. The Ruth card was obviously issued in 1920 or later.

W514s and big heads are 1920 at the earliest.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RowVwsfKp...PSA%2BAUTH.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.co...%20PSA%201.JPG

1933 GOUDEY uncut sheet which includes three Babe Ruth cards (#144, 144, 149)....and, Lou Gehrig (#160).


https://photos.imageevent.com/tedzan...x2sheet50x.jpg



TED Z

T206 Reference
.

Cool sheet! I like how the right side has Ruth, Foxx and Gehrig together.

Hard to pick between one of the Blum's or one of the m114s.

Those are incredible Doug, that middle one is a rookie image.

These are incredible thanks for sharing with us!

My only Ruth

Here is the iconic follow-through. Russwood Park, Memphis, an exhibition between Yankees and the Southern Association Memphis Chicks (Chickasaws) in 1932. Many such exhibition games were played by teams on their way north after spring training broke up.

This guy..