Budget of $7500... Which Ruth??
 

Am really enjoying this forum... interesting and helpful advice on EVERYTHING in the hobby.

Would value advice from veteran 54’ers:

I am a collector and am trying to build a HOF set (one card from every HOFer). My only personal requirements/guidelines are:

1. Must be from era when player was active
2. Great looking image... looks cool on display!
3. Graded to ensure authenticity... but buying the card, not the grade
4. Prefer no multiple player cards
5. Image from team player is generally most associated with historically

I think that’s about it....

I may have come into some “fun money” and might be ready to finally buy my one/only Ruth

Would welcome suggestions from you on which options best fit a budget of $7500 (and yes, I sure wish I had done this a year ago!)

Thx all

Jeff

PS, here are a few images of the recent set up and display in my “Card Cave”

I would have to go with one of the '33 Goudeys, maybe 53 or 144 but can't go wrong with any of the 4. I think $7,500 will get you something in a 3 range on one of those these days. Good luck!

any of the 1933 Goudey Ruths

Agree with 33 Goudey, they are by far the most popular and to me they are the nicest looking.

I think in the current market your budget could get a nice 2 or 2.5 but a 3 might be a stretch.

I'm also a huge fan of the 33 Sport Kings Ruth that is also made by Goudey but a little bit more affordable.

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Goudey no doubt
7500 could get lower graded examples with eye appeal
I would buy graded only

Good luck in your search as many are not being offered

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I think most people are going to say one of the 1933 Goudeys, but personally, I'm not a big fan and have never had a desire to own one. I also prefer things a bit outside the norm so I would go with a 1921 Exhibits. Slightly oversize IMO makes for a better display, great live action shot, much earlier in his career, much rarer, you'll get a higher grade for the same price, and it is not something everyone else also has.

I wish I had picked up a couple more a year or two ago as well. Looking for a red 33 Goudey myself and agree that finding a nice graded 3 could be tough today without stretching the budget a little. There are quite a few black and white 20s cards you could find for 7500 or less, but if it's your first and only Ruth I would get a Goudey.

Definitely a 1933 Goudey. It is the #2 set in the hobby after the t206 set. I wouldn't lock myself in to any one, but look for the best eye appeal, highest grade I could buy with 7500. The 53 is the rarest of the 4. The 144 is the best looking. Those would be preferable, but depending on what is available maybe not the best buy. I feel that every collection should have a 33 Goudey Ruth and t206 Cobb.

I'm going to be the outlier here and say W514. You will be able to find a really nice one for way less than your budget and it is 100+ years old. I *love* that it appears as though he is a member of the Red Sox, but says Yankees. I'd have to check my notes, but I think you could classify it as either his first Yankees card, last Red Sox card, or both, depending upon how you look at it.

The red sleeves leads me to believe that the artwork was done before the historic deal that changed baseball forever was finished, and produced afterward. To me, this card is a tangible piece of perhaps the biggest thing that has ever happened in baseball.

Oh, and for what it's worth, I really don't like strip cards all that much, but I LOVE the Ruth - I get gushy every time I look at it because of what it represents :)

Now, that said, the obvious choice that most everyone will say is a Goudey. I love those too, and have yet to bring one back into my collection. I think the reason that is, is because of my W514 fills the Ruth void quite nicely, though it is by far not his best or most expensive. That said, I would like a Goudey again soon :)

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Ruth%201.jpg

1. Must be from era when player was active. check
2. Great looking image... looks cool on display! check
3. Graded to ensure authenticity... but buying the card, not the grade. check
4. Prefer no multiple player cards. check
5. Image from team player is generally most associated with historically. check

Most recent sale was in LOTG under $2K in this shape. Take the change and buy yourself a nice Lou Gehrig to go with it.

Probably not the most popular answers, but to me the Pathe Freres Ruth and his 1921 Exhibit are the two best looking issues of him ever released.

Here`s another vote for the Pathe Freres would also consider the 1933 Blue Bird Juice card. Beautiful shot of Babe, oversized piece that`s pretty tough to find. I like the Goudey don`t get me wrong, but the harder to find Ruths are more my taste. Also, they don`t come up too often but I think you can get a nice example of the Blue Bird and still have decent change from your 7500. Best of luck and be sure to post your results !

Jeff, you can acquire nicer examples of both of these cards and still have a chunk of your $7,500 to spend on something else.

Thx for all of the tips... am currently a heavy lean toward a 33 Goudey - great looking, iconic.

Any suggestions on trusted dealer/collectors on Net54baseball who might be good contacts? Feel free to PM me to e-mail me at jgross1@tuftsmedicalcenter.org

Thx a lot, guys

Jeff

Nice display. I'd go for a low grade E121/w575-1 or a 1926-29 Exhibits.

Here's my suggestion, but I have to admit I'm prejudiced...for some reason I'm just crazy about this set.

I really think the best way is to watch all of the big auction houses. Most are good to deal with and many are advertising here. Those advertisers normally post here when an auction starts. You can see scans of the card and know the limit you can pay, so bid accordingly.

Nice display, Gary, but quit bogarting the Ruths.

Budget of $7500... Which Ruth??
 

Here is one more vote for the Pathe Freres. I also thinks it’s one of his best looking and is one of if not the earliest item that pictures him in a Yankee uniform. I absolutely love mine.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...bdec1fd01c.jpg


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I'm in the camp of an early-mid 20's b/w ruth issue...like a 1921 exhibit...or a w...or an e...or a nice canadian issue. Just my preference as I prefer rarity to the much more common goudeys.

ot any of these

All excellent specimens, but if you can only own one Ruth....Goudey all the way.

Another vote for the 21 exhibit
 

for all the reasons previously mentioned. It is an AWESOME card and makes for an incredible display featuring an action shot of a younger Ruth shortly after joining Yankees.

Am new to big auction houses... the 20% buyers premium is bringing me down!

Does anyone know if VCP prices includes the buyers premium of ~20%?

I know Ruth card prices are accelerating at a silly level but I don’t want to massively pay over market and VCP seems (and eBay sold) as good a gauge as any.

Trying to figure reasonable pay-range for the 33 Goudey or the 21 Exhibit

Thx all

OT but you should add your photos and maybe some additional ones to our Memorabilia Room Thread. Yours look great and would go well.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=131800

Just think of your total cost and don't get caught up in trying to justify/not justify the BP. If you are willing to pay $100, either pay $100 on Ebay or privately with no BP or $85 bid + $15 BP through an AH. Either way your cost is still the same.

Amen. The struggle is real.

Ruth is Ruth....meaning that his cards are in a class of their own. Don’t sweat overpaying a little for something you really like. Even if the market takes a nosedive, his cards will be the last to dip and the first to recover. Im not saying don't be selective, but dragging your feet has proven time and time again to be the wrong move as far as the Bambino is concerned.

Yes VCP prices include the BP

YES...Ruth is ruth...you will likely never lose money if you don't intend to sell in short order.

I look at ruth cards I bought last year...like fro joys...and quakers...and they've gone up 5-10x's in some cases!

The way prices are going...
 

This may be it.

All, your advice and suggestions have been just awesome... I really value this Net54baseball community and wanted to thank you and let you know that my likely game plan is to buy the nicest 33 Goudey Ruth (I prefer the Red background and full body cards) I can within my $7500 total, out the door cost

If anyone is looking for a new home for their Babe (that sounds wrong...), let me know what you have in mind

I’ll also post the same on the BST section but will circle back to tell/show where I ended up - this will be my one-only Ruth so I hope to find a nice one!

Came close to buying the Red background one on the Goldin auction last night but it just slipped past my budget after tax and BP.

Thx again all

e121 and it isnt even close...

Thought I’d close the chapter on this thread and let you know that I made a Ruth purchase today - went with a nicely centered, 33 Goudey full body Ruth.

Thx for all of the advice and ideas - I think I found my keeper.

Thx again, N54

Jeff

Congrats

The chapter isn't closed until we see it!!!!

exactly...pics or it never happened!

That's awesome, congrats. I came to the same conclusion when I got my first Ruth. The 144 has always been on of my all time favorite images. I agree with the others let's see it!

Well then, OK!

Hiya Babe... welcome to the family

Forgot to add that I picked up the big lug here from a great local New England dealer who, I believe, is a long time N54er - thx Don! Now just need to clear space in the new Card Cave.... right next to Lou, naturally

beauty!

I think for $7500 you should get something with an actual image of Ruth, not whatever is on the Goudey. The Goudey cards are beautiful but get one of these other cards shown and leave the Goudey alone.

Nice card. One of my top 3 in the hobby and maybe number 1 for me. Still looking for an upgrade but it has to be centered and have great aesthetics.

https://luckeycards.com/r319rutha.jpg

i agree! But too late!

Congrats Jeff, that's a beautiful 2, and such a classic Ruth image. It also seems the best possible display companion for your Gehrig. Please post a nice big pic once you have it hand, and hopefully you can use the "surplus" budget monies to get some more good stuff!

I have always thought these are way undervalued. Sane with the 1928 Babe Ruth candy cards...
This Frojoy is probably in good condition...

https://luckeycards.com/pf52frojoyruth.jpg

And here is the final step... Babe taking his rightful place next to Lou. Once again, side by side!

Thx again for the advice and tips, 54ers!

Jeff