churchman ruth ebay auction

[oldjudge]

How can it be a Babe Ruth card if nowhere on the card is the player identified? They drew a Ruth like figure but avoided paying royalties since there is no name. To me the card is worthless.

[abothebear]

The same composition is noted as Ruth here.
https://oldcardboard.com/eNews/2007/enews44/eNews44.htm

[glchen]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

How can it be a Babe Ruth card if nowhere on the card is the player identified? They drew a Ruth like figure but avoided paying royalties since there is no name. To me the card is worthless.

It is Babe Ruth on that card. It's the same image as the 1929 Shonen Club Babe Ruth postcard, where I believe Ruth is identified in Japanese on the card.

Edit: Looks like George beat me on this one.

[Tyruscobb]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

How can it be a Babe Ruth card if nowhere on the card is the player identified? They drew a Ruth like figure but avoided paying royalties since there is no name. To me the card is worthless.

Babe Ruth's name not appearing on the card does not mean it is not a Babe Ruth card. The image and likeness (not a name) is what make it a Ruth card.

The artist did not draw a "Ruth like figure," he/she drew Ruth from a photograph (just like the T-206 cards were drawn/painted from real life photographs). Here is one of many photographs that could have served as the model. It is not even debatable that the card shows Ruth.

Worthless? Maybe to you, but the market indicates otherwise.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by Tyruscobb

It is not even debatable that the card shows Ruth.

I think without the certain identification on the back it is certainly debatable. It would be an uphill climb and I am on your side thinking it is Ruth, but it's certainly debatable.

Also, if it's a fantasy painting of a "Babe Ruth type character" to avoid licensing, is that really a Babe Ruth card or a baseball themed card? I think the 1929 Shonen Club proves it is Ruth but things roll into into semantics, so it throws a wrench into it for me.

We could still be upended in the future much like this one, lol (sarcasm fyi)-

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

How can it be a Babe Ruth card if nowhere on the card is the player identified? They drew a Ruth like figure but avoided paying royalties since there is no name. To me the card is worthless.

That's a bit of a hyperbolic statement, but I understand the thought. As a Churchman and no identification, I have never considered this card to be worth more than 150 bucks and would cap at that value personally in any purchase.

However, much like the Sanella, those priced out of the boom looking for a Ruth have gravitated to these cards and fed the rise. Sadly, in my estimations these oddballs that snuck in by association will take the hardest hit in any settling of the market if it comes to fruition.