Any thoughts on the ‘39 Ruth African tobacco?

[Jgrimaldi]

Picked it up years ago (the small version) for not much $ in a psa 6. I like the card but it’s a bit of an oddball ruth. Thanks!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Personally I am not a fan of post career cards.

[Snapolit1]

Particularly the post career, non US cards. Nope.

[brian1961]

Personally, I am a huge fan of post-career cards IF they look stunning. The cost is much, much less than a career card. I admit I'm not worried about re-selling them; they give me a lot of eye candy viewing pleasure. I also appreciate a superb-looking, well-made fantasy card.

My situation is such that I can no longer afford the career cards of the top players I love, so I turned elsewhere. Having said that, I also concede to being fortunate to own a small cache of upper-grade career cards of two of my favorite players (both post-war).

Collectors are all different in many ways, yet we are all the same in many ways. Sport card collecting is not my only hobby. I love auto racing. I could not care less about auto racing cards; however, I cherish my collection of 1/43 model cars of auto racing greats and drivers / cars that I came to cherish since I became involved with that hobby back in 1958. That love pre-dated my card collecting by 3 years!

Back to the OP. Look, friend, if you truly like your post-career Babe Ruth card, that's all that matters. If you bought it for investment, then perhaps you'll want to re-sell before very long.

I would say the far majority of Net54baseball members dislike post-career cards, as well as fantasy cards. Collect what makes you happy, bro. Still, if you want to make a lotta dough, listen to these guys and buy career cards. I still occasionally see something career based that I can afford, but as Dirty Harry succinctly put it in MAGNUM FORCE, "A man has gotta know his own limitations."

Long post, and not all on subject. Guess I am in a talkative mood. All the best to you, Jgrimaldi. --- Brian Powell

P.S. Your almost apologizing about the fact your Ruth is oddball strikes a personal nerve. I detest the term "oddball" because it almost always connotes the concept that a non-mainstream card is less important, or less valuable, or somehow not to be bothered with collecting. Such myopic thinking is self-serving and selfish. I have steadfastly gravitated towards the rare, exciting and unusual items that fall into the niche of the post-war regional / food. Just as the beautiful old A & E theme: "ESCAPE THE ORDINARY". I even wrote a general overview book about them. If that makes ME self-serving and selfish about the subject, then oh well; how 'bout that.

Be that as it may, I shall keep this to pre-war. You want an extremely desirable regional Babe Ruth, go for a 1914 Baltimore News. Or any of the Tex Ricard HEADIN' HOME cards presumably given out with the purchase of a movie ticket. You couldn't just get those ultra rare Ruths just anywhere. Certainly not at any candy shop, or tobacco shop. Over the years, collectors finally warmed up to the gorgeous Babe Ruth from the 1933 Sanella Margarine set of thin cards that were to be pasted in a Sanella card album. I must mention, these Sanella cards were issued in Germany, so during the year of issue, one could not get this Babe Ruth in the USA.

I did a little research on the image. Babe is wearing a white Yankees cap, which dates the colorized image to around 1921, when The Bambino was terrorizing the league with his extraordinary batting prowess. He was wearing everybody out, and pitchers lived in fear of having to face him. Therefore, at least the image of the Babe dates to when he was becoming the greatest star MLB ever produced. I wish I owned the card. In a graded card case, its thinness is totally concealed. The colors on that gem are very strong and vibrant, reminiscent of the German dyes used to craft the T-206s and T-3s, etc.

Ty Cobb? Go for a 1910 Washington Times, IF you could ever find one, and IF you're financially well-fixed. Really, Ty's T-3 is by all means not a mainstream card. As I recall, one had to redeem a lot of empty cigarette packages to procure one. All that effort and expense spells non-mainstream. Most collectors will admit Tyrus Raymond's T-3 is his most beautiful card---the summit of all Cobb items.

Well, more than enough said.

[Exhibitman]

It's a really nice card from a tough, great multi-sport set.

I am all for post-career cards, just depends on the card. One of my favorite Ruth cards is the 1951 Connie Mack book set:

[Yoda]

The '48 Leaf of the Babe always draws a lot of attention.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Yoda

The '48 Leaf of the Babe always draws a lot of attention.

I look at Ruth cards as -

1. When he was playing
2. After he played but still living
3. After he passed away, but vintage
4. Newer commemorative cards

The '39 Adfrican issue is a great #2 card. That said, for my personal collection, I mainly want (still might have others) group #1.

Here is a nice team shot...

[rjackson44]

Originally Posted by Leon

I look at Ruth cards as -

1. When he was playing
2. After he played but still living
3. After he passed away, but vintage
4. Newer commemorative cards

The '39 Adfrican issue is a great #2 card. That said, for my personal collection, I mainly want (still might have others) group #1.

Here is a nice team shot...

Stunning leon

[oldjudge]

Other than Canadian and some Cuban cards I don't like foreign cards and I definitely don't like post-career cards.

[bigfish]

Originally Posted by Jgrimaldi

Picked it up years ago (the small version) for not much $ in a psa 6. I like the card but it’s a bit of an oddball ruth. Thanks!

I think it’s a cool card. Any pre 1948 Ruth will continue to go up I think.
Not a bad thing to have.

[EddieP]

I like it. Not too many cards of his that exists the year he was INDUCTED into Cooperstown.