An exceedingly rare and highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia is set to be featured in an upcoming auction. The 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, which notably includes Babe Ruth in his debut season, is one of just ten such graded postcards known to exist. This makes it a remarkable find for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The auction will be conducted by the renowned auction house, Heritage Auctions, during their highly anticipated February Platinum Auction. This particular postcard is considered the highest-graded example of any Babe Ruth rookie year card, receiving a PSA rating of 6. It is estimated to fetch upwards of $1 million in the sale.
The postcard showcases the Red Sox team labeled as the “American League Champions,” indicating its issuance timeframe, possibly before or during the 1915 World Series. Babe Ruth is prominently featured in the back row of the team photograph.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox played their games at Braves Field, the stadium of the city’s National League team. This decision was made due to the larger seating capacity of Braves Field compared to Fenway Park, which was still relatively new at the time.
Each member of the Red Sox team is identified by surname and playing position on the postcard. Of notable significance, Ruth is shown standing next to fellow rookie pitcher Carl Mays. Mays would later join Ruth in playing for the 1920 New York Yankees but is infamously remembered for a tragic incident in which his pitch struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. The card also features other Hall of Famers, including Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
This 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 ten each.
Heritage Auctions has described this 1915 postcard as one of the most significant trading cards ever to be offered in the auction market. Its rarity and historical value make it a standout piece in the hobby’s collectibles.
Prospective bidders and avid supporters of baseball history and Babe Ruth should mark their calendars for February 2nd. This is when the auction bidding will commence, marking a significant event for collectors and fans alike. The opportunity to own such a rare and valuable piece of baseball history is not one to be missed.
