An exceedingly rare and highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia is causing a stir in the collector’s world. A 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, featuring a young Babe Ruth in his debut season, is set to be auctioned off later this month. What makes this item so extraordinary is that it is one of only ten graded postcards of its kind known to exist.
The upcoming auction, hosted by Heritage Auctions, will present this stunning piece of baseball history in its highly anticipated February Platinum Auction. Notably, this particular Babe Ruth rookie year card has received a PSA rating of 6, making it the highest-graded example among all of his rookie cards. With a pre-sale estimate suggesting that it could fetch upwards of $1 million, collectors and enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting the bidding.
The postcard itself showcases the 1915 Boston Red Sox team, labeled as the “American League Champions,” hinting at its issuance timeframe, possibly before or during the 1915 World Series. In the team photograph, Babe Ruth is prominently featured in the back row, standing alongside Carl Mays, another rookie pitcher. Mays would later join Ruth in playing for the 1920 New York Yankees and is tragically remembered for a pitch that struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that same year. The card also includes other notable Hall of Famers such as Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox played their games at Braves Field, the stadium belonging to the city’s National League team, the Boston Braves. This decision was made due to Braves Field’s larger seating capacity compared to Fenway Park, which was still a relatively new construction at the time.
Interestingly, this auction follows the recent sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which fetched a staggering $7.25 million. Both the 1914 and 1915 cards share the same graded population of ten each, solidifying their rarity and value in the collecting world.
Heritage Auctions has described this 1915 postcard as one of the most significant trading cards to ever be offered in the hobby’s auction market, emphasizing its historical value and rarity.
Prospective bidders and those interested in baseball history are eagerly awaiting the start of the auction, set to commence on February 2nd. This event marks a significant moment for collectors and fans of Babe Ruth, as they have the opportunity to own a unique piece of baseball history showcasing the legendary player’s early days with the Boston Red Sox.
