Pre-War Ruths on a budget?

[glchen]

You've said that you don't like strip cards, but if you raise your spending limit to $250, you have a bunch of different options for beater strip cards of Ruth (but as usual, you need to wait for a good deal). Looking at my records, here are some that I got:

W514: $215
W516-1: $240
W520: $180 (ripped in half, but taped together)
Schapira (portrait): $220
Schapira (over the fence): $210
W551: $180 (chunk of paper loss on front)
W575-2: $225 (corners ripped off)
W512: $110
W511 #1: $180

These are all prices for complete beaters (and where I was able to find a good deal) and nicer examples will be more expensive. As others have said, Josetti, Bulgaria, and Sanella also offer good options for cards between $100 and $200. Many people have said that they like the Sanella for its colors and the pose.

[peterose4hof]

I've always liked the ButterFinger Premiums and I think they are a great deal for the price.

[phikappapsi]

Personally I'd just add a mid grade 1932 sanella. I think it's one of the prettiest color Ruths in the pre war era. Hugely undervalued right now

[ullmandds]

I have to disagree about the sanellas being undervalued...they are paper thin...like stamps...and are very plentiful...and are quite common.

[brob28]

Don't have a picture to post as I'm at work, but I think an R315 in 1 or Auth would fall in your price range.

[peterose4hof]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I have to disagree about the sanellas being undervalued...they are paper thin...like stamps...and are very plentiful...and are quite common.

I agree. There seems to be a neverending supply of these coming out of Germany.

[phikappapsi]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

I have to disagree about the sanellas being undervalued...they are paper thin...like stamps...and are very plentiful...and are quite common.

They only seem common because of the recent discoveries, so a ton of them came up for sale all at once, there are still fewer of them than some of his goudeys.

Once the market flattens, and all this inventory is absorbed into new collections the cost will shoot up.

That said, if you are just considering the card, and not the speculative investment, it really is a gorgeous front. Yes the stock was incredibly thin, but if you get a decent grade and have it in a TPG holder, the card itself is beautiful.

[ullmandds]

Recent Sanella discoveries???? Not sure what you're referring to ...but...I still disagree that they are not uncommon...and there seems to be a never ending supply coming from Germany.

Regardless...the sanella is certainly a low cost ruth option!

Originally Posted by phikappapsi

They only seem common because of the recent discoveries, so a ton of them came up for sale all at once, there are still fewer of them than some of his goudeys.

Once the market flattens, and all this inventory is absorbed into new collections the cost will shoot up.

That said, if you are just considering the card, and not the speculative investment, it really is a gorgeous front. Yes the stock was incredibly thin, but if you get a decent grade and have it in a TPG holder, the card itself is beautiful.

[phikappapsi]

By "recent discoveries" I mean the hoards of sanellas coming out of Germany. Eventually that influx will slow down, they're really prevalent right now, but again, the total number of them out there is still lower than other high $ Ruths. So eventually, the dollars will go up as the demand absorbs some of the supply