1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth in Heritage

tiger8mush · #1 10-31-2025, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Do we know that the card actually changed hands, such that a " $3.2M loss" actually occurred?

Jay Wolt · #2 10-31-2025, 10:28 AM

& wouldn't Heritage give an additional 5 to 12% of the hammer to the consignor?

raulus · #3 10-31-2025, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

& wouldn't Heritage give an additional 5 to 12% of the hammer to the consignor?

If you're talking about the BP, then I think their calculations assume that 100% of the BP is going to the consignor. If less than 100% went to the consignor, then the loss would be larger. Assuming, of course, that the item actually sold to a 3rd party.

Lorewalker · #4 10-31-2025, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger8mush

Do we know that the card actually changed hands, such that a " $3.2M loss" actually occurred?

We do not know that but what we do absolutely know is that no advanced hobbyist should be following Geoff Wilson.

Eric72 · #5 10-31-2025, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

We do not know that but what we do absolutely know is that no advanced hobbyist should be following Geoff Wilson.

Someone should put that question in a poll. The results might wind up being unanimous.

Exhibitman · #6 10-31-2025, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorewalker

We do not know that but what we do absolutely know is that no advanced hobbyist should be following Geoff Wilson.

Oh, I dunno, he's entertaining. Very funny...albeit unintentionally.

barrysloate · #7 11-07-2025, 03:00 PM

Hi All- it's been ages since I last posted but I was very curious about what happened to the sale of this Ruth card. And as I checked the thread I saw my name as one of the people who once offered a Baltimore News Ruth so I thought I would share the story.

It was not in any of my auctions but in a direct sale and was available for purchase. It was a blue one, had a decent front but serious back damage. If there is a list of the ten known specimens it would be easy to pick out. I think the price we offered it for was either 16K or 18K, don't remember exactly.

I had it for about a month a not a single person even asked about it. I had a pretty good mailing list back then and I'm sure most of the heavy hitters knew about it. I ended up returning it to my consignor.

Back in those days it was considered a piece of memorabilia, an interesting schedule card that happened to picture Babe Ruth. It was certainly important, but not on the level it is today.

Of course it doesn't explain how the Heritage one took such a hit. I guess when it sold in REA two people had to have it, and that didn't happen this time. Anyway, I remember being disappointed I wasn't able to sell it, but it was one of the examples that really lacked eye appeal.

oldjudge · #8 11-07-2025, 03:23 PM

When I saw this post the music from the Resurrection Symphony came on in my head. Hi Barry! I know the card you are talking about. It has a little piece out of the lower left and back damage. However, if you place your thumb over the lower left and don't turn it over it is the nicest looking BN Ruth in the hobby.

barrysloate · #9 11-07-2025, 03:34 PM

Hi Jay,
Hope you are well. I'm looking at the picture on your avatar and I am guessing you are a proud grandfather!

bcbgcbrcb · #10 11-07-2025, 04:06 PM

Hi Barry:

I�m probably pretty close to Jay�s age and have a 12 year old son, not a grandson. Imagine what that is like��.

Hankphenom · #11 11-08-2025, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrysloate

I had it for about a month a not a single person even asked about it. I had a pretty good mailing list back then and I'm sure most of the heavy hitters knew about it. I ended up returning it to my consignor.
Back in those days it was considered a piece of memorabilia, an interesting schedule card that happened to picture Babe Ruth. It was certainly important, but not on the level it is today. Of course it doesn't explain how the Heritage one took such a hit. I guess when it sold in REA two people had to have it, and that didn't happen this time. Anyway, I remember being disappointed I wasn't able to sell it, but it was one of the examples that really lacked eye appeal.

Thanks for the story, I love hearing that kind of hobby history. Question: You say it was regarded as memorabilia, but it's from a set with other Orioles players similar to the Washington Times set a couple years earlier, right? And its meteoric rise is pretty recent, unlike the Wagner that has always brought top dollar going back a hundred years, no? Makes me wonder if there are any other vintage cards lurking for that kind of ascendance, or is this a one-off? And $4 million doesn't seem like much of a hit to me, regardless of the previous example, especially given your story of this one that no one wanted for a price lots of stuff was going for at the time. Thanks again, Barry, I would love to hear more of your stories and experiences.

swarmee · #12 11-08-2025, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hankphenom

Makes me wonder if there are any other vintage cards lurking for that kind of ascendance, or is this a one-off?

In recent years (last 5), Bond Bread limited regional releases are now considered RCs for Jackie Robinson by many - not all - and Exhibit cards took off which were not really collected as much as standard sized trading cards.

Even larger oversized issues are getting more accepted now that PSA built a larger slab to put items in. That's one place you could look at.

Hankphenom · #13 11-08-2025, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarmee

In recent years (last 5), Bond Bread limited regional releases are now considered RCs for Jackie Robinson by many - not all - and Exhibit cards took off which were not really collected as much as standard sized trading cards. Even larger oversized issues are getting more accepted now that PSA built a larger slab to put items in. That's one place you could look at.

Thanks, John, but I meant possibly poised to join Wags and the Ruth in the stratosphere.

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