An exceedingly rare and highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia is set to go under the hammer later this month. The 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, which notably includes Babe Ruth in his debut season, is attracting attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike. With just ten such graded postcards known to exist, this find is truly remarkable.
Heritage Auctions, the renowned auction house, is gearing up to present this unique item in its highly anticipated February Platinum Auction. Notably, this card holds the distinction of being the highest-graded example of any Babe Ruth rookie year card, with a PSA rating of 6. Experts believe it could fetch upwards of $1 million.
The postcard showcases the Red Sox team, labeled as the “American League Champions,” hinting at its issuance around or before the 1915 World Series. Babe Ruth stands prominently in the back row of the team photograph, a testament to his rising talent and future Hall of Fame career.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox played their games at Braves Field, the home stadium of the city’s National League team. This decision was made due to Braves Field’s larger seating capacity compared to the relatively new Fenway Park.
In addition to Ruth, the postcard features other notable players from the Red Sox team, including Carl Mays, another rookie pitcher who would later join Ruth on the 1920 New York Yankees. Mays is unfortunately remembered for a tragic incident in 1920 when his pitch struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman. The card also includes Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
The upcoming auction follows the recent sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which fetched a staggering $7.25 million. Interestingly, both the 1914 and 1915 cards have the same graded population of just ten each, making them extremely rare and valuable.
Described as one of the most significant trading cards ever to be offered in the hobby’s auction market, this 1915 postcard holds immense historical value due to its rarity and association with one of baseball’s greatest players, Babe Ruth.
Prospective bidders and avid collectors should mark February 2nd on their calendars, as that is when the auction bidding will commence. This event marks a significant moment for baseball history collectors and fans of Babe Ruth, as they eagerly await the outcome of this highly anticipated auction.
