In the quaint town of Danvers, Massachusetts, a piece of baseball history has been unearthed—the 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card. This rare gem hails from Ruth’s early days as a Red Sox pitcher and is part of the coveted Morehouse Bakery promotional series from Lawrence.
The thrilling discovery of this iconic card has set off a ripple of excitement in the vintage card collecting community. Jeff Gross, a passionate collector based in Newburyport, shared the exhilarating tale of how the card came to light. It all began at a family estate sale in Danvers, where a chance conversation led to the revelation of the prized Babe Ruth Morehouse Bakery card.
The anonymous individual who possessed the card revealed that his father had meticulously curated a collection of over 100 cards from the Morehouse Bakery series, carefully stored away in boxes for years. Among the treasured finds were not just one but two Babe Ruth rookie cards, showcasing the baseball legend in his early, unassuming days as a left-handed pitcher for the Red Sox.
Jeff Gross marveled at the significance of the discovery, emphasizing that this was Babe Ruth before he etched his name in baseball lore as the legendary slugger for the New York Yankees. The allure of the Morehouse Bakery cards lies not only in their historical value but also in the unique advertising imprinted on the back, a feature that enhances their rarity and desirability according to PJ Kinsella from Robert Edward Auctions.
The Babe Ruth rookie card, especially in pristine condition, is poised to command a staggering sum at auction, with estimates reaching at least $500,000. Gross, leveraging his expertise as a seasoned collector, is guiding the card’s owner through the auction process, sparking anticipation for the event that is set to commence on Friday.
As the anticipation mounts, Gross plans to celebrate the momentous occasion with a bid-watching party alongside the card’s owner and their spouse. The sheer magnitude of the discovery has left many in awe, with Gross humorously quipping about the owner striking the “card collection lottery.”
The unearthing of the Babe Ruth rookie card adds yet another chapter to a year marked by remarkable baseball card discoveries in Massachusetts. Earlier in 2024, the unearthing of an unopened pack of 1952 Bowman baseball cards during a home demolition in Chatham stirred similar fervor, with speculations swirling about its substantial value.
The spotlight firmly rests on the Babe Ruth rookie card, serving as a tangible link to baseball’s golden era and igniting the enduring thrill of uncovering hidden treasures. As the vintage card collecting community revels in this extraordinary find, the allure of such discoveries underscores the timeless charm and fascination that baseball memorabilia holds for enthusiasts of all ages.
At Baseball Card Castle in Cranberry, the fervent pursuit of rare cards continues unabated, fueling the passion and camaraderie among collectors as they embark on a thrilling quest through the annals of baseball history.
