Fresh To Market 1916 M101-5 Blank Back Babe Ruth Rookie Card PSA 3

[BrianSotheby's]

By way of introduction, my name is Brian and I help lead the trading card side of the business at Sotheby's. A longtime lurker of the forum, I finally decided to create an account, becoming an "official" member of the community. Personally, I am a collector of primarily modern day baseball and football cards. Vintage wise, I am searching for a 55 Koufax PSA 7, hopeful I can find a copy that appeals to me at the National this summer.

With my first post, I would like to share a short story of a card that I am grateful to have the privilege of bringing to public auction: a fresh to market 1916 M101-5 Blank Back Babe Ruth Rookie Card graded a PSA 3.

This card has never left the family of the original owner, having traveled through four generations. The original owner, a grandchild of Jewish immigrants from Germany, collected a near-complete set of these blank backs as a teen.

Now co-owned by two brothers, the Ruth and the rest of their great-grandfather’s near-complete set were kept safe for two decades more and, now adults, the brothers approached Sotheby’s with the cards in ungraded condition. After assessment by PSA, the Babe Ruth was not only authenticated but awarded a PSA 3. Few of Babe Ruth’s rookie cards have such a complete story of their provenance. The card is currently available as part of our Timeless Titans | Legendary Sports Cards sale that is now live and open for bidding.

I am very fortunate to be part of this experience and am happy to share the story with not only the net54 community but the vintage card collecting community as a whole. I look forward to sharing additional stories in the near future.

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auct...Filter=AllLots (Approved)

[perezfan]

A card as majestic as that needs a much better holder and a more competent TPG. How can people take PSA seriously when they display an epic card like this in such dreadful fashion?

Not only is it placed way off-center.... it's tilted. And the reflective crumpled baggie takes it to another level of sloppiness. I cannot fathom how/why any high-end collector would find this awful presentation acceptable.

Awesome card and impeccable provenance though.... best of luck with the sale, and welcome to net54.

[bcookie]

I agree, it looks silly in that holder.

[Brent G.]

It's a tough crowd, Brian ... but these guys aren't wrong -- PSA owes you a redo. Amazing card.

[samosa4u]

Originally Posted by perezfan

A card as majestic as that needs a much better holder and a more competent TPG. How can people take PSA seriously when they display an epic card like this in such dreadful fashion?

Not only is it placed way off-center.... it's tilted. And the reflective crumpled baggie takes it to another level of sloppiness. I cannot fathom how/why any high-end collector would find this awful presentation acceptable.

Agreed! How can they slab a Babe Ruth ROOKIE like that ??? Awful ...

[BrianSotheby's]

Originally Posted by perezfan

A card as majestic as that needs a much better holder and a more competent TPG. How can people take PSA seriously when they display an epic card like this in such dreadful fashion?

Not only is it placed way off-center.... it's tilted. And the reflective crumpled baggie takes it to another level of sloppiness. I cannot fathom how/why any high-end collector would find this awful presentation acceptable.

Awesome card and impeccable provenance though.... best of luck with the sale, and welcome to net54.

Originally Posted by bcookie

I agree, it looks silly in that holder.

Originally Posted by Brent G.

It's a tough crowd, Brian ... but these guys aren't wrong -- PSA owes you a redo. Amazing card.

Originally Posted by samosa4u

Agreed! How can they slab a Babe Ruth ROOKIE like that ??? Awful ...

Appreciate the replies and welcomes to net54. While I understand the community's opinions regarding the slabbing of the card, I have sincerely valued the opportunity to help tell this card's story and bring it to market. I am excited to see it find its new home!

[Vintagedeputy]

I echo everyone else’s comments about the presentation of that card in that slab. PSA is a bunch of ass clowns and to do that card like that is a horrible injustice. It would look 100 times better an SGC slab.

[Tomi]

Contact Nat Turner directly and show him the card. Worth a shot. He was great with me when I had an issue that he resolved. That card needs to be shown properly.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by perezfan

A card as majestic as that needs a much better holder and a more competent TPG. How can people take PSA seriously when they display an epic card like this in such dreadful fashion?

Not only is it placed way off-center.... it's tilted. And the reflective crumpled baggie takes it to another level of sloppiness. I cannot fathom how/why any high-end collector would find this awful presentation acceptable.

Awesome card and impeccable provenance though.... best of luck with the sale, and welcome to net54.

My biggest pet peeve in the hobby. It's a disgrace and happens far too often. SGC is starting to do it too. SHOCKER. The customer should never accept this. I wouldn't. I would love to bid on the card but would NEVER pay 1 doll hair looking like that. They do this all the time because they simply don't care. A shame too. It's "Fresh to the Hobby", "Newly Discovered" with Dis "honest corners" and swimming in a plastic holder. How to ruin a beautiful significant card in 30 seconds., by PSA.

[parkplace33]

What did it sell for? It says bidding has closed.

[BobbyStrawberry]

Originally Posted by parkplace33

What did it sell for? It says bidding has closed.

$355,600 according to the site

[oldjudge]

For a blank back that is about right. I think it might have gone for a tad more in REA or HA, but that is just speculation on my part.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Fuddjcal

My biggest pet peeve in the hobby. It's a disgrace and happens far too often. SGC is starting to do it too. SHOCKER. The customer should never accept this. I wouldn't. I would love to bid on the card but would NEVER pay 1 doll hair looking like that. They do this all the time because they simply don't care. A shame too. It's "Fresh to the Hobby", "Newly Discovered" with Dis "honest corners" and swimming in a plastic holder. How to ruin a beautiful significant card in 30 seconds., by PSA.

wow very good point
never though of that if it moves to much and the corners get damaged that will really affect the eye appeal as well as the value