Best Value Babe Ruth Card under $2K?

[Thromdog]

I know that it's debatable since his name isn't on the card, but a great value Ruth to me is the Churchman Ruth. Usually under $200 for a really nice example.

[cdogstu99]

Originally Posted by Thromdog

I know that it's debatable since his name isn't on the card, but a great value Ruth to me is the Churchman Ruth. Usually under $200 for a really nice example.

that's an interesting one, never saw it before. looks like they used the image from the 1928 shonen Ruth card

[orly57]

Any decent-looking Ruth you can buy for under 2k is bound to have some “drawbacks,” for lack of a better term. Be it that it doesn’t have his name on it, or it is a strip card or an over-sized card. The important thing is finding the image you most like and deciding which “drawback” you can live with. It’s no secret that I love oversized cards (exhibits and PCs). I think the exhibits Ruths, particularly the ‘21, the ‘25 Exhibits Champions, and the ‘27-‘29 pose are beautiful and undervalued with tons of growth-potential. For the record, I do not own any Ruth Exhibits.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by cdogstu99

that's an interesting one, never saw it before. looks like they used the image from the 1928 shonen Ruth card

Yes they did, and it clearly is Ruth, even though he isn't mentioned on the card.

[brianp-beme]

My votes for the $1000 to 2000 range would be decent looking but technically lower grade 1933 Goudeys or his Sport Kings card.

A bargain basement option not mentioned yet is his Bulgaria card. Sure it has a suited Schmeling beside Babe, and the text is in German on back, but it is a cool photo of Babe in uniform, and even has some of his teammates on the dugout bench in the background. I think these cards go in decent condition around $100-150.

Brian

[bbcard1]

Goudey all day long, IMO.

[Rhotchkiss]

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding. Second, it’s from 1921 - earlier Ruth days and very early Yankee. This card has gotten more pricey lately- and I think it only goes up from here- but you can still get a nice looking example for around $2k if you look (and negotiate) hard. Well worth the money IMO

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding. Second, it’s from 1921 - earlier Ruth days and very early Yankee. This card has gotten more pricey lately- and I think it only goes up from here- but you can still get a nice looking example for around $2k if you look (and negotiate) hard. Well worth the money IMO

i regret not having picked up one of these when they were cheap...but back then I was resistant towards oversized cards.

it'd be really tough to find a decent copy for 2K these days.

[52ToppsMantle]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding. Second, it’s from 1921 - earlier Ruth days and very early Yankee. This card has gotten more pricey lately- and I think it only goes up from here- but you can still get a nice looking example for around $2k if you look (and negotiate) hard. Well worth the money IMO

That is a great looking card. Congrats.

I am going to set my collecting sights on that card.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding.

The really rare cards are the ones that show the Babe pitching and batting simultaneously, like this Schapira Ruth

Brian

[ronniehatesjazz]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

Goudey all day long, IMO.

This^^. If you're willing to spend up to $2k why go with anything other than a goudey? There's a nice one in BST for around that price right now.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by ronniehatesjazz

This^^. If you're willing to spend up to $2k why go with anything other than a goudey? There's a nice one in BST for around that price right now.

I find this somewhat amusing...as I've always gravitated to the obscure and less common...I avoided goudey ruths for a long time...have owned 3 of the 4 poses minus the orange batting. In my collection the goudeys are expendable as they are common while my tougher ruths stay put!!!

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by ronniehatesjazz

This^^. If you're willing to spend up to $2k why go with anything other than a goudey? There's a nice one in BST for around that price right now.

I get it that the four Ruth cards in the 1933 Goudey set are iconic, but cards that common never excite me. For $2,000, I would rather have a low-grade Ruth montage from the E121 set. That card is such a cool image(s) and is from the prime of Ruth's career.