1932 Sanella Babe Ruth - Wisdom Wanted

[KMayUSA6060]

I always come on this board, especially for insight on cards I'm less educated about.

The most recent card is the 1932 Sanella Babe Ruth.

I read some articles on it, including its origin and historical importance. It seems to be the cheapest Ruth card, and a must have for any collector with a lower end budget.

I do have a couple questions.

How is this card viewed in the hobby? Is it better to buy the full set in the book, or the card by itself? What is the value of it, and can it be had cheaper at a card show than on eBay ($90-120 based on current listings and recent sales)?

Thanks in advance, y'all!

[Snapolit1]

I would suggest if you see that card at a show it is likely to be grossly marked up. Will have some dopey sticker on it with two prices, and one will be very high and unrealistic and the number below that will just be too high. Avoid shows. Be careful with buy it nows. I would wait for it to come to an auction house and figure out where your comfort level is before starting bidding. It is a nice card but obviously not considered a Ruth rarity. Sign up for the Collectable app and track it to see when it appears. App is free.

[JustinD]

I would not consider it a must have and honestly am not a big fan as the likeness is not that recognizable to the layman.

I would prefer a less common period card with a good likeness.

As for the card show angle, you would be very unlikely to find a lower price than an ebay auction. The more likely situation would be a highly overpriced example looking for a rookie to unknowingly pay more for a ruth example. An ebay auction is your best bet.

[drcy]

It's on thin stock and is very easy to find in high grade, but is a good looking card. It is usually bought and sold as a single. Foreign baseball cards are usually discounted, but I think the German text on back makes it interesting. If someone wants an affordable Ruth from his playing days, it's a nice buy.

Due to the plenitude in high grade, some have wondered if there are a bunch of modern reprints. However, I examined a high grade example and it was definitely period.

[ullmandds]

I'm not a big fan...I used to have the complete set...they are kinda cool to look at...but I dont like the paperlike stock...or the style/colors/likeness. I'd rather have the shonen...which I do have.

In fact I feel these are more stamp like than card like.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

If you want a low price card that is easier to recognize as the Babe I would recommend his 1932 Bulgaria Sport. Nice clear black and white photo of him with Max Schmelling.

[seanofjapan]

The 1929 Shonen Club Ruth is another foreign card of him that is affordable (generally seems to sell for a bit more than the Sanella but not too much). Its basically a postcard with a pretty good action shot of him, and Japanese text on the side.

[sando69]

British American Tobacco & affiliates produced a very nice card between 1929 & 1935.
Same image as the Japanese postcard, but the back is printed in English and ex to ex-mt examples are under $250 on ebay!