Babe Ruth rookie 1916 M101-4 already at 37 500$ on it's very first day at auction

[MattyC]

A PSA 1 with eye appeal will never again sell for 20k, in my opinion. No one who owns one and has seen the REA 10 that just went for around 35k will sell theirs for less than 30k.

This Legendary SGC 10 example is likely the best "1" in the hobby, and presents like a much, much higher grade. The front is stunning, clean, centered. Discerning eyes are seeing this in the card and bidding accordingly. Equivalent eye appeal in a higher-graded card would cost like 80 grand.

Bottom line, this Legendary example hits the eye WAY better than the terribly OC PSA 4 from REA. Centering can really turn people off regardless of the grade or turn people on despite a low grade.

[ullmandds]

Some here seem to think that what goes up...cannot come down! Take a look at some recent(last 5-8 yrs) trends in vintage card collecting and you will see that this is just nowhere near true!

[Leon]

I think there are a few collectors doing Ruth rookie (M101-4/5) back runs....that could account for pricing anomalies between grades...

[smtjoy]

I just dont see a ruth 10/1 in the 10/15k range again, slight chance for 25k-30k if you ask me. On the REA F&B 10/1 that just sold for 35k, it sold twice in the last year for 40K so they do go down I just don't see them dropping by half unless we have another financial crisis.

[ullmandds]

while I agree that ruth rookie's have reached new heights of value the last few years...and well deserved...isn't it just a matter of time before another self induced financial crisis occurs?

[MattyC]

Possibly, but a bad economy is no guarantee that owners of eye appealing RCs of the game's greatest player will start selling them-- let alone for bargain prices.

I'd imagine that to most collectors, if a Ruth RC is in your collection, it is a most treasured item and not one parted with easily or readily. If I owned one as beautiful as say the Legendary example, the sky could fall and I wouldn't sell it. Probably not even for a little profit.

[ullmandds]

then again...had I purchased a nice ruth rookie a few years ago...the prospect of 20-40K profit...is very tempting...prized card or not!!!!!

[MattyC]

Wish I got one years ago when I had the chance. Was too into a Registry Set at the time (idiot that I am).

When it comes to eye appealing poor-grade Babe Ruth RCs at less than 30k, as Austin Powers might say..

That train has sailed.

Even in Orlando's rather nice coffee table book on the top 250 cards in the hobby, he has the undisputed RC of Ruth as #3. Just an indicator of the stature (and well deserved I agree) this card has now gained.