An exceptionally rare and highly coveted 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, featuring Babe Ruth in his debut season, is set to be the highlight of an upcoming auction later this month. With only ten known graded postcards of its kind in existence, this distinctive piece of baseball memorabilia is sure to captivate collectors and enthusiasts.
The renowned auction house, Heritage Auctions, will present this baseball treasure, which stands out as the highest-graded example of any Babe Ruth rookie year card, in its highly anticipated February Platinum Auction. This particular card has received a PSA rating of 6 and is expected to fetch a staggering sum of over $1 million.
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, marking the beginning of his remarkable career.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox played their home games at Braves Field, the stadium belonging to the city’s National League team. This decision was made due to Braves Field’s larger seating capacity, which outmatched Fenway Park at the time, as it was still relatively new.
On the postcard, each member of the Red Sox team is identified by surname and playing position. Of particular note, Ruth is standing next to Carl Mays, another rookie pitcher. In a tragic turn of events, Mays would later join Ruth in playing for the 1920 New York Yankees and would be remembered for a pitch that struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. The card also showcases Hall of Famers Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
This auction follows the recent sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which astonishingly fetched $7.25 million. Interestingly, both the 1914 and 1915 cards have a graded population of ten each, adding to their allure and exclusivity.
Describing the 1915 postcard as one of the most significant trading cards ever to be offered in the hobby’s auction market, Heritage Auctions emphasizes its rarity and historical value. This makes the upcoming bidding event on February 2nd an important occurrence for baseball history collectors and fans of Babe Ruth alike.
Prospective bidders and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the start of the auction bidding on February 2nd. The inclusion of this remarkable 1915 Red Sox team postcard, featuring Babe Ruth in his rookie season, further solidifies its status as an item of great significance for both baseball and sports memorabilia collectors.
