Lots of 1933 Goudey Ruths for sale?
 

Anyone else noticed an influx of 1933 Goudey Ruths for sale? Across Ebay, auction houses and social media.

I know it is a very popular card, but I can't think of a time when so many were being listed for sale (especially graded 1-3). They are coming out of the woodwork!

They are not rare, by any stretch. There are other 33 Goudeys in far more short supply. Heck I paid $500 for Ruth and Gehrig in 1988, which I thought was highway robbery at the time. I only recently put them both into a safe deposit box, because of the money. Anything Ruth from his playing days is stratospheric in value as you know.

$500 in Ruth or Kodak. Probably made the right call. :)

Goudey Ruths remind me of 52 Mantles. Very plentiful and the demand is much greater. One of my faves....and my avatar...

https://luckeycards.com/r319ruth2.jpg

With so many on the market it may be a good time to pick one up, can never go wrong with Ruth and its such an iconic card at a relatively affordable level.
_

Would you refuse to buy one from a seller that lists it as a "rookie card" on principle?

Just because they are an idiot wouldn't stop me....
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I love this Leon. Best quote I’ll see today.

I never thought of a $5,000+ card as affordable...until these last two years. I would really like a #181 but will have to sell some other stuff to get into it.

[QUOTE=Leon;2197407]Goudey Ruths remind me of 52 Mantles. Very plentiful and the demand is much greater. One of my faves....and my avatar...

Bingo! Couldn't agree more.

Edited to add: Beauty Ruth's Leon and Phil.

With limited funds I debated picking up a second lower grade Goudey yesterday. I was convinced by a good friend to do e253 Ruth instead. Hopefully not a bad call!

I did them !

I think of the few things I have put on the BST, it took the longest to sell a PSA 1 #181. I had to knock it down a couple times to a thousand I think.

Boy, times sure have have changed.

I think these cards are great Ruth cards.
Funny that some consider if his rookie cards
But these are iconic and always seen in demand.

The eye appeal on these cards are really sharp

At some point in the future I will take the plunge and get 1.

Probably the Red one

Same. Green here. If I end up with red and you, green, lets make a deal.

Allow me to join this mutual admiration society...my 1988 $250 purchase (the other $250 went toward Lou Gehrig), and while not slabbed, it was bought at Chanute AFB and authenticated by Harvey Brandwein. Good enough for me.

Pictures do not do this card any justice. It is gorgeous.

Beautiful Ruth James.

Thanks very much, Phil. I used reenlistment bonus money in 1988 to buy Ruth and Gehrig at a Base Exchange card show at Chanute AFB, Illinois. Navy and Air Force do their weather schools together to this day, now at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi. That is how I got my Ruth signed ball as well.

I forgot to add that yours is gorgeous also!

really not so plentiful?
 

While completely agree no Goudey Ruth card is "rare" by any stretch, there are 1376 PSA graded #144's an additional 584 graded by SGC and likey a bunch more raw ( I would argue it is likely the large majority of these have been graded by now.). Probably also need to reduce the #'s for resubmissions a bit as well. That leaves under 2K examples graded and another ?? 100, 200, 300 raw? If we round up to even say 2500.
The demand for this card is off the charts. It is the "poster child" for baseball card collecting! If you polled just the people attending the national and asked how many would like to one day own this card, I suspect it will quickly surpass 2500. Now add in all the collectors that aren't at the national - 2500 all of a sudden doesn't look like that many cards! The price appreciation that this card has seen goes to support the same conclusion - supply and demand at work - When demand is greater than supply it drives price up - as price rises, it draws more supply into the market place, until there is an equilibrium of a price at which supply=demand.
While the other Goudey Ruth's are in shorter supply, they are no where near as in demand as the #144.
Most collectors who want 1 Ruth card want the Goudey batting pose.

As someone without the knowledge as most of you, I would like to get some advice on buying one of these. I've been admiring them for a while, but scared off because of price and different variations. Like most others, I'm going to take the plunge eventually, because I think this iconic card is pretty much a must have.

I personally think Gehrig will surpass Ruth in the Goudey set in terms of value. Playing days were numbered and scarcity of playing day cards should be a huge factor in this. Ruth is by far one of the most iconic players but demand is high and prices are absurd. What next best? Gehrig. As this escalates conversations will start taking place about scarcity and value and eventually a massive drive will force Gehrig into the stratosphere. I am super surprised that Gehrig is just now making moves with guys from the 40-60's already skyrocketing and most of the prewar guys already booming. Just look at what Cobb has done over the last few years. Soon we will be saying the Big 8 for T206's.

I just really hope this Mike Trout guy pans out because I way over invested in him. Lol

I was with you right to the end. Can you clarify what you mean by the Big 8? Thanks

Gehrig will never overtake Ruth in value. ....and he doesn't look too happy about it!

https://luckeycards.com/phunc1929pontiacgehrigprem.jpg

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I agree. And the iconic Gehrig isn't the 1933, it is the 1934 portrait. That's #2 on my want list from the era. From PSA's site:

https://i.psacard.com/cardfacts/1934...869.jpg?h=1000

The biggest chase cards in the T206 set. Wagner, Plank, Magie, Doyle NY, ect.

He looks upset because he was on the path to topple Ruth and any record he set but just found out he is sick and has to retire early. To bad Ruth was such a POS and turned on Gehrig out of jealousy. Honestly Gehrig may not surpass Ruth but he is by far a better player and would have set records most would have never been able to touch and at a much faster pace than Ruth was ever capable of. The whole game was altered when Gehrig got sick. Eventually a movie will come out about Gehrig and his playing days. Its going to show Ruth for what he really was. The hobby will ultimately have the final say.


Adam I highly doubt the 34 will be Gehrigs Iconic card. The 33 is his "RC" card and is the first card talked about with Gehrig most times. You ask for a Gehrig card at any dealer table and I would be willing to bet they respond with the 33 Goudey answer of whether they have one or not. Then they respond with secondary cards like the 34. The 34 presents very well but is not anywhere near as appealing as the 33 to me. Then again who knows what buyers with to much money will do to the market. That would be the only reason I could see the 34 passing the 33 Gehrig.

I would pick the Ruth that appeals to you most and watch the auctions for hammer price and quality vs cost. Eye appeal is more important than grade. Its a great way to educate yourself while saving your pennies up to buy one.

Thank you. Very good advice. I keep telling myself that patience is a virtue:).

Your card will come to you when its ready, don't pull the trigger on one that doesn't meet your standards. I waited two years before I pulled the trigger on mine. The good news is they come up at most every auction so you can be patient.

I was fortunate enough to acquire both before the big run up. #144 has always been my favorite. Yes, it's the most plentiful of the four. But it's very tough to find with nice qualities. Same goes for the Gehrig. Very tough to find with nice color and registration. Many have a bland look to them. I doubt there will ever be enough supply to satisfy demand for either card.

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=10109https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=10104

As for '34 Goudey, I'm more drawn to #61. Interesting to ponder if having no Ruth in the set hurts or helps Gehrig's value. If Ruth was included, I imagine there might be more interest in the set. However, no Ruth means Gehrig is the "key" to the set.

https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=26964

WOW and WOW 3 Great Cards and Great Looking Cards

I let go of my Goudey Ruths and got a 1932 US Caramel instead. They are just so much more scarce and I have always found the image particularly striking, with his hat cocked to the side.

Andrew, come on, the 1933 Goudey is by no means a rookie card except for unscrupulous people twisting the definition of rookie card. This is from the PSA master set for Gehrig:

1925 EXHIBITS HENRY L. GEHRIG 10.00
1925-1931 W590 LOU GEHRIG HAND CUT-1ST BASEMAN 3.00
1926 EXHIBITS HENRY L. GEHRIG 1.00
1926 KUT OUTS GIANTS/YANKEES DIE-CUTS LOU GEHRIG 5.00
1926-29 POSTCARD-BACK EXHIBITS LOU GEHRIG BATTING PHOTO 4.00
1926-29 POSTCARD-BACK EXHIBITS LOU GEHRIG BATTING PLAIN 6.00
1926-29 POSTCARD-BACK EXHIBITS LOU GEHRIG PORTRAIT 4.00
1926-1931 EXHIBITS POSTCARD BACK 4-ON-1 GEHRIG/GROVE/DONAHUE/COCHRANE 4.00
1927 EXHIBITS HENRY L. GEHRIG 8.00
1927 W560 LOU GEHRIG 3 OF CLUBS HAND CUT 2.00
1927 W560 HAND CUT LOU GEHRIG 5 OF HEARTS 2.00
1927 YORK CARAMELS TYPE 2 E210 LOU GEHRIG 26 10.00
1928 EXHIBITS LOU GEHRIG 3.00
1928 EXHIBITS LOU GEHRIG POSTCARD BACK 3.00
1928 HARRINGTON'S ICE CREAM LOU GEHRIG 26 8.00
1928 R315 LOU GEHRIG 5.00
1928 SOCIEDADE INDUSTRIAL, ANGOLA SPORTS SERIES BABE RUTH/LOU GEHRIG 100 1.00
1928 SOCIEDADE INDUSTRIAL, ANGOLA SPORTS SERIES BABE RUTH/LOU GEHRIG 116 1.00
1928 SWEETMAN CO. LOU GEHRIG 26 6.00
1928 TABACALERA LA MORENA B.RUTH/L.GEHRIG 116 2.00
1928 THARP'S ICE CREAM LOU GEHRIG 26 5.00
1928 W502 LOU GEHRIG 26 4.00
1928 W502 LOU GEHRIG HAND CUT-BLANK BACK 26 4.00
1928 W565 LOU GEHRIG HAND CUT 1.00
1928 YUENGLING'S ICE CREAM F50 LOU GEHRIG 26 8.00
1929 R316 KASHIN PUBLICATIONS LOU GEHRIG 3.00
1929 R316 5 x 7 PHOTOS LOU GEHRIG 1.50
1929 STAR PLAYER CANDY LOU GEHRIG 32 9.00
1929 W553 LOU GEHRIG HAND CUT 3.00
1929-30 FOUR-ON-ONE EXHIBITS GEHRIG/DUROCHER/KOENIG/RUTH 3.00
1929-1930 ROGERS PEET LOU GEHRIG 28 3.00
1930 BAGUER CHOCOLATE LOU GEHRIG 2.00
1930 CRACKER JACK PINS LOU GEHRIG 1.00
1930 W554 HAND CUT LOU GEHRIG 3.00
1931 W502 LOU GEHRIG HAND CUT 32 4.00
1931 W517 LOU GEHRIG HAND CUT 35 3.00
1931 W517 MINI HAND CUT LOU GEHRIG HAND CUT 4.00
1931-32 FOUR-ON-ONE EXHIBITS GEHRIG/LARY/RUTH/REESE 3.00
1932 U.S. CARAMEL R328 LOU GEHRIG

As for player quality, well, we've kicked that around a lot. Ruth is the GOAT. Tossing aside the years as a pitcher, Ruth amassed 162.7 win share as a position player. Gehrig had 113.7. As for single seasons, Gehrig's best WAR was 1927 11.9. Ruth had three seasons better than that: 1923 14.2, 1921 12.6, and 1927 12.6. Even in his best year, Gehrig was still below Ruth. As for career length, Ruth had 22 seasons BUT Ruth spent his first four years as a pitcher with no more than 67 appearances in his first four years. In his fifth year, 1918, he was basically Ohtani with 95 games played oput of Boston's 126 games that year. Ruth's last year was 28 games: he retired June 2, 1935. So, Ruth had 22 seasons but only 17 that could be considered full seasons as a position player Gehrig had 14 full seasons out of his 17 season career. Ruth is simply the best who ever played the game and card prices reflect it.

As for the assertion that Ruth was a "POS" that doesn't hold water either. Ruth was a party animal and a horn-dog for sure, but by all credible accounts did not have a malicious bone in him. He was decent to fans and kids, for example even when he didn't need to be (he even acknowledged my awe-struck father when he was a kid and saw Ruth on the street in NYC). I'd save POS for crooked players like Hal Chase or Dutch Leonard, racists like Ben Chapman*, or any number of wife-beaters, drug dealers, thieves and pervs (yeah, Trevor Bauer, I'm looking at you).

Don't get me wrong, I love Gehrig. The greatest 1B of all time, a decent human being, and we share a birthday, so I've aways been an admirer.

* "If Chapman disliked Jews, and he did dislike Jews, then he hated "nigras." As the Dodgers-Phillies game began, Chapman's strong, carrying drawl rose from the visiting dugout. "Hey you, there. Snowflake. Yeah, you. You heah me. When did they let you outa the jungle... Hey, we doan need no n*****s here... Hey, black boy. You like white p******g, black boy? You like white p****y? Which one o' the white boys' wives are you f*****g tonight?"

— Roger Kahn, The Era

And that right there is why they retired 42 for every team. So incredibly much more than silly cardboard cards next to how he handled that assenign BS. If I had been Jackie, I would have clubbed Chapman to death, right there on the field. Imagine how that would have affected matters? And that's why Jack Roosevelt Robinson deserves any and all the focus, attention and accolades bestowed upon him. I wish I could have been around to see him play.

Thanks Jeff. So glad I "overpaid" for them at the time. The adage "Today's overpay is tomorrows bargain" rings so true.

Same year? :D

I think this was a really great move and add back Goudeys in time.

Fillin' my eyes with that double vision.....and blank back to boot!!

my 2 cents
 

1) Set your budget
2) Look for the right card - as has been mentioned not all cards at a particular grade are created equal - especially so as you get into the lower grades - I would encourage you to be willing to pay a premium (20-30%) for a strong eye appeal example at a particular grade level.
3) Be sure to do your market price homework and don't just look at the grade, look at the cards.

NEVER will the 33 Gehrig surpass the Ruth. "Babe Ruth" is as close to synonymous with "baseball" as a single player can get! Gehrig was a GREAT player with a tragic end to his career and his life and has strong collector demand for his cards but just nowhere close to Ruth in baseball card collector demand. I would argue that either of the 34 Gehrigs are in higher demand than the 33 (probably not by much though) - To me, either of the 34's visually dwarf the 33's.

Speaking of weird variants.....
 

Wish I had fought a little harder for this one! I was the underbidder.

https://robertedwardauctions.com/auc...rare-blue-back

Hi Howard guess at that price it’s not that rare..

Just incredible cards in this thread.

I can't help but wonder how rare blank backs and blue backs are?

Cards
 

Someone was talking about pop and rarity vs demand for these cards. I may be alone on this, but I've always been a believer that there are more raw examples of EVERY known card than there are graded examples...they just may not all be in the hands of collectors. This is what keeps me going...unearthing what has yet to be found.

I often wonder about the flip side of the supply. For every undiscovered Goudey Ruth that might find its way to the market, how many Ruth's graded or ungraded get destroyed each decade due to house fires, floods, accidents, inadvertently discarding, etc.? Out of 2000 graded examples, do all 2000 survive a decade in the wild?

Check the auction date!!
 

That auction happened in 2009! 13 years ago - that was A LOT of $$$ for a Goudey Ruth - VCP only shows back to 2015 where an authentic #53 sold for $2400, I suspect 6 years earlier it was considerably less. So the blue back selling where it did was a kings ransom relative to the green back.

Just like the 33 Ruth and 52 Mantle aren’t true rookies but I wasn’t here to argue with Burdick about what was set as what. I mean the guy literally wrote the book so what’s up with the RC designations. It’s never been a secret but no one cares he played in 26’ unless it’s a collector like one of us.

Tell me that Ruth and Gehrig did not have bad blood. We all know that’s bs about Ruth. There’s a reason a man like Gehrig abstained from being associated with him. Great stat info about Ruth but he still played longer. If he was any better they would have played him sooner rather than keeping him a pitcher right? Just don’t think Ruth deserves the attention he gets. Neither do those fools you mentioned in the end of your post.

Just my knees.

Basic economical principle of supply/demand. If the Ruth cards are scooped up at the current prices and the supply is gone, then that means demand is high and the price will remain so (and even go higher). If there's a glut of Ruth cards that don't sell, then wouldn't that mean the market is saturated and the price may start dropping until the market value of the cards organically finds a new lower level (bubble popping time).