I am a Ruth Fan. But This price is way out of control

[PhillyFan1883]

Jeff hope all is well bud— I don’t know why you think this price is out of control?? . I am confused. Low grade Ruth rookies are 200k-400k. Why shouldn’t a NM copy bring a huge premium and well over 2 million in theory ?? Restored, authentics, and dog meat Wagner t206s fetch much more than where the bid is now. A Ruth rookie (m101) will never catch up to the Wagner it would seem, but it’s probably top 5 to get closer, maybe 60 percent of a Wagner long term pricing ?? so why the shock for a NM Ruth rookie with a Low population for the grade ?
We all have seen the Ruth rookie going up at astronomical rates. It’s not stopping anytime soon.

[mrreality68]

Well I guess I was wrong. Which is ok.

Just never seeing one going for this much before. (A blank PSA7 was auctioned at HA in May but did not sell when the reserve was not met and with the auction potentially adding bids we do not know what it would have went for).

and with a PSA 7 selling for $384K in April 2018. Just surprised that even with the new money coming in that this card will sell for 7 x or more what sold just 3 years ago.

It will be interesting to see where it ends up (since I am biased having a lower grade blank back)

[Exhibitman]

I remember having a variation of this conversation in 1982 and 1998 and 2007 and...

Us 'seasoned' collectors are always bemused/disgusted/terrified when prices rise. Just depends on which side of the deal you are on. As a lucky collector who picked up on a few of the trends early, I am very pleased with myself. As someone who sat by and said 'manana' on so many other cards, not so much.

Totally agree with Jeff: trading is the bomb. I made a few nice trades this year where both sides were able to gain for their collections and go away happy. One of the things I most missed about the National the last two years was a marathon trading session I have every year with a collector. We go for hours and the deals are as complex as nuclear disarmament treaties. But way more fun!

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I remember having a variation of this conversation in 1982 and 1998 and 2007 and...

Us 'seasoned' collectors are always bemused/disgusted/terrified when prices rise. Just depends on which side of the deal you are on. As a lucky collector who picked up on a few of the trends early, I am very pleased with myself. As someone who sat by and said 'manana' on so many other cards, not so much.

Totally agree with Jeff: trading is the bomb. I made a few nice trades this year where both sides were able to gain for their collections and go away happy. One of the things I most missed about the National the last two years was a marathon trading session I have every year with a collector. We go for hours and the deals are as complex as nuclear disarmament treaties. But way more fun!

More fun than nuclear disarmament treaties? Go on!! I call bullshit.

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by PhillyFan1883

Jeff hope all is well bud— I don’t know why you think this price is out of control?? . I am confused. Low grade Ruth rookies are 200k-400k. Why shouldn’t a NM copy bring a huge premium and well over 2 million in theory ?? Restored, authentics, and dog meat Wagner t206s fetch much more than where the bid is now. A Ruth rookie (m101) will never catch up to the Wagner it would seem, but it’s probably top 5 to get closer, maybe 60 percent of a Wagner long term pricing ?? so why the shock for a NM Ruth rookie with a Low population for the grade ?
We all have seen the Ruth rookie going up at astronomical rates. It’s not stopping anytime soon.

Wow PhillyFan you nailed it.

The Card brought almost 2.5 million dollars last night.
Sold just a few years ago for 600K so a 4 multiplier in just a few years.

Lot's of new money in the collection hobby

[LincolnVT]

In the current climate, I actually thought that the 7 under performed last night. Why would a Babe Ruth rookie PSA 7 from 1916 sell for half of what a PSA 9 1952 Mantle sold for...?

[jchcollins]

My father thought it was ridiculous that cards from his childhood era were going for "so much" in the late 1980's. My mother and I used to get in trouble when she allowed me to bring home an "expensive baseball card", which back then might be, say, a '66 Topps Sandy Koufax for 20 bucks.

Since the modern hobby became self-aware 40 or so years ago, certain things have always been considered stupid expensive. So are Ferrari's and Van Gough's - but people still buy them...

[Schlesinj]

The Josh Gibson 1950-51 Toleretos PSA 4 went for over $100k. A year ago a 7 on Heritage sold for half that.

[Bicem]

Not surprised by the price. If you want a traditional Ruth baseball card produced during his Boston days I believe your only choices are the rookie, or a Boston Store/Collins McCarthy.

I know there's an m101-6 Red Sox version but there's like what 2 known? Not counting the '15 team RPPC as well.

Can't think of any others actually made during the early Boston days.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Can't think of any others actually made during the early Boston days.

I wonder about this one:



Besides Ruth the WaJo image is from opening day in 1916 and the Coveleskie and Sisler images are used in 1921 E sets. I haven't been able to track down the originals on those yet. At least as to Ruth and WaJo there is no anachronism to the card being pre-trade.

[Yoda]

Perhaps a bit of personal perspective on the Ruth RC price run-up In 1995 or thereabouts, I bought a M101-5 Ruth Sporting News back, which was later graded a 5.5 by SGC, from Lew Lipset for around $5,000 and sold it in 2003 via Mastro for $15,000.
Humbug!

[mrreality68]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Perhaps a bit of personal perspective on the Ruth RC price run-up In 1995 or thereabouts, I bought a M101-5 Ruth Sporting News back, which was later graded a 5.5 by SGC, from Lew Lipset for around $5,000 and sold it in 2003 via Mastro for $15,000.
Humbug!

Wow humbug

Prices have changed alot. Over a fairly short time

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

The Josh Gibson 1950-51 Toleretos PSA 4 went for over $100k. A year ago a 7 on Heritage sold for half that.

I was shocked by this result. I don’t know what to think.

Regarding the Ruth, I would not have been superseded if it went over $3mm+. It’s an exceptional example of a top 5 card. In my pre-war-card-loving opinion, the value of that Ruth card should dwarf a PSA 9 52 Mantle.