Early Ruth Cards

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

It appears that REA was not convinced of the exact year that the Ruth RPPC's were produced:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../2011/472.html

Correct Phil. These Ruth RPPC postcards could be any year between 1915 and 1917.

Joe T.

[Forever Young]

All of this early Ruth card talk is making me want to get back in cards(limiting to Ruth). I will certainly be making a run at the next 1915 postcard or 1916 rookie that comes up for auction. Fun thread.

[LincolnVT]

My understanding is that both SGC and PSA are now grading the "American League Champions" real photo team postcard as 1915 as opposed to c. 1915.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by LincolnVT

My understanding is that both SGC and PSA are now grading the "American League Champions" real photo team postcard as 1915 as opposed to c. 1915.

That doesn't make them 1915. From everything I have seen there is no way to pinpoint the year so, to me, any person or company labeling them as 1915 is labeling them incorrectly. It happens all of the time. Buy the card not the flip....

edited to add, if a postcard is used then I go by the postmark for dating (usually).......so if it has a 1915 postmark, good enough for me!!

[bcbgcbrcb]

I guess my question now is would these c1915 postcards have changed hands at prices exceeding $20K-$25K if they were labeled by SGC as 1915-17 as they were described by REA in their 2011 auction? It should be noted that SGC is not incorrect in their labeling as c1915 means around that year and is not a definitive date.

[LincolnVT]

Here is my copy.

[LincolnVT]

This is an interesting write up and card "from back in the day" suggesting that the postcard was postmarked and sent at the end of the 1915 season.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../2007/227.html

Regardless, it's a very cool card of my favorite team (with Ruth) from way back in the day.

Ethan

[pcoz]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

I guess my question now is would these c1915 postcards have changed hands at prices exceeding $20K-$25K if they were labeled by SGC as 1915-17 as they were described by REA in their 2011 auction? It should be noted that SGC is not incorrect in their labeling as c1915 means around that year and is not a definitive date.

Old Cardboard has the side image RPPC as its 1915 Ruth rookie PC, and said it's possibly the first image printed of Ruth on cardboard. A member of the Hot Springs Historical Society some time ago told me the society made reproduced framed PC sets from the original 1915 PC's I have, and gave them out to 6 retiring SABR members as gifts upon their retirement. The original RPPC photos were taken from Majestic Field in Hot Springs Arkansas, where the inception of their training camp started in 1886. Two are 1 of 1's and the other a 1 of 2. Even if these were from '16 or '17 which I'm confident they are not, just look at the Collins McCarthy or Boston Store Ruth's and their prices. SGC/PSA will just not put an exact year down on them. I have a handful of RPPC's and they never put the date down unless it's listed on the front of the card. I believe their value will only increase in the years to come given their rarity. Just my opinion.

[Vintageclout]

Originally Posted by pcoz

Old Cardboard has the side image RPPC as its 1915 Ruth rookie PC, and said it's possibly the first image printed of Ruth on cardboard. A member of the Hot Springs Historical Society some time ago told me the society made reproduced framed PC sets from the original 1915 PC's I have, and gave them out to 6 retiring SABR members as gifts upon their retirement. The original RPPC photos were taken from Majestic Field in Hot Springs Arkansas, where the inception of their training camp started in 1886. Two are 1 of 1's and the other a 1 of 2. Even if these were from '16 or '17 which I'm confident they are not, just look at the Collins McCarthy or Boston Store Ruth's and their prices. SGC/PSA will just not put an exact year down on them. I have a handful of RPPC's and they never put the date down unless it's listed on the front of the card. I believe their value will only increase in the years to come given their rarity. Just my opinion.

Pete,

Any early Ruth Boston Red Sox cards, photos, memorabilia, etc. have unlimited investment potential. While the EXACT year of those RPPC's may never be determined, the fact that they originated during Ruth's early years with Boston coupled with their extreme rarity is sufficient enough. They are incredible cardboard collectibles with infinite value growth!

Joe T.