A remarkable piece of baseball history has recently been unveiled in Danvers, Massachusetts—a 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card from his early days with the Boston Red Sox. The card, originating from a sought-after promotional series by Morehouse Bakery in Lawrence, has long been the stuff of collectors’ dreams, and its unearthing has ignited waves of thrill in the vintage card collecting community.
Jeff Gross, a dedicated collector based in Newburyport, shared the fascinating story behind this incredible find. It all began at a family estate sale in Danvers, where Gross engaged in a casual chat with a visitor about baseball cards. The visitor, opting to remain anonymous, disclosed that his father had collected the Morehouse Bakery series, storing over 100 cards in boxes for decades—one of which turned out to be a 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card.
“Babe Ruth in 1916 was just a skinny left-handed pitcher for the Red Sox, not yet the home run-hitting Yankee legend we know today,” Gross explained, marveling at the card’s historical significance.
What sets the Morehouse Bakery cards apart, and contributes to their immense value, is the advertising printed on the back. PJ Kinsella from Robert Edward Auctions highlighted this unique feature, emphasizing its role in elevating the cards’ rarity and desirability. The Babe Ruth rookie card, in better condition, is anticipated to fetch a minimum of $500,000 once it hits the auction block.
Gross, with his expertise as a seasoned collector, is aiding the card’s owner in the sale process. The auction is set to commence on Friday, with plans for a bid-watching party to celebrate the momentous occasion. Amidst the excitement, Gross humorously remarked on the newfound fortune of the card’s owner, jokingly suggesting that hosting yard sales might yield more million-dollar collections.
This discovery only adds to the string of incredible baseball card finds in Massachusetts this year. Earlier in 2024, during a home demolition in Chatham, an unopened pack of 1952 Bowman baseball cards was stumbled upon. This untampered pack, with potential worth reaching a million dollars, added to the growing buzz of card collecting treasures.
The focus currently rests on the Babe Ruth rookie card—a rare gem from baseball’s golden era, serving as a reminder of the eternal delight found in uncovering hidden treasures. The hunt for valuable baseball cards continues, with collectors eagerly anticipating the next big breakthrough.
At Baseball Card Castle in Cranberry, the intensity of the search escalates with each new card shipment, setting the stage for an unparalleled card chase.
“This journey has been unlike any other card pursuit we’ve witnessed in eight days,” shared store owner Jeff Patton, encapsulating the electrifying atmosphere.
The ongoing chase for the elusive card has piqued the interest of collectors, fueling their determination to participate. Customers like Joe Balcik from Monroeville are optimistic about the potential rewards, strategizing their card selections for optimal chances. Conversely, Georgia Krastek from McCandless, a devoted Pirates fan, infuses a personal touch to the search, driven by her pursuit of a specific player’s autograph.
With the Pirates’ extraordinary offer, the hobby of card collecting has transformed into a phenomenon, attracting a diverse range of participants beyond seasoned collectors. The promise of decades worth of prime seats at PNC Park has captivated both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike, showcasing the broad appeal of this special pursuit.
Amidst the growing demand, Baseball Card Castle’s Patton remains dedicated to meeting the needs of eager collectors, ensuring a constant supply of new cards for enthusiasts to explore. As the anticipation builds and dreams of uncovering the coveted card persist, each collector holds on to the hope of a remarkable discovery.
In this shared journey of excitement and anticipation, fans, families, and collectors unite in their pursuit of a rare and extraordinary find, underscoring the magic of the card-collecting world.
