Best Value Babe Ruth Card under $2K?

[brianp-beme]

My votes for the $1000 to 2000 range would be decent looking but technically lower grade 1933 Goudeys or his Sport Kings card.

A bargain basement option not mentioned yet is his Bulgaria card. Sure it has a suited Schmeling beside Babe, and the text is in German on back, but it is a cool photo of Babe in uniform, and even has some of his teammates on the dugout bench in the background. I think these cards go in decent condition around $100-150.

Brian

[bbcard1]

Goudey all day long, IMO.

[Rhotchkiss]

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding. Second, it’s from 1921 - earlier Ruth days and very early Yankee. This card has gotten more pricey lately- and I think it only goes up from here- but you can still get a nice looking example for around $2k if you look (and negotiate) hard. Well worth the money IMO

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding. Second, it’s from 1921 - earlier Ruth days and very early Yankee. This card has gotten more pricey lately- and I think it only goes up from here- but you can still get a nice looking example for around $2k if you look (and negotiate) hard. Well worth the money IMO

i regret not having picked up one of these when they were cheap...but back then I was resistant towards oversized cards.

it'd be really tough to find a decent copy for 2K these days.

[Bicem]

LOTG has a beautiful one with just a bit of paperloss on the back (blank back, who cares).

Don't know if it stays under 2k but these kind of cards can be absolute bargains vs technical high grade.

Ruth

You can also go the more unique postcard route... have something cool that no one else does...

Ruth pc

[52ToppsMantle]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding. Second, it’s from 1921 - earlier Ruth days and very early Yankee. This card has gotten more pricey lately- and I think it only goes up from here- but you can still get a nice looking example for around $2k if you look (and negotiate) hard. Well worth the money IMO

That is a great looking card. Congrats.

I am going to set my collecting sights on that card.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

I think the 1921 Exhibit Ruth all day long. First, it’s a great pose, and rare, as there are few Ruth cards of him fielding.

The really rare cards are the ones that show the Babe pitching and batting simultaneously, like this Schapira Ruth

Brian

[ronniehatesjazz]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

Goudey all day long, IMO.

This^^. If you're willing to spend up to $2k why go with anything other than a goudey? There's a nice one in BST for around that price right now.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by ronniehatesjazz

This^^. If you're willing to spend up to $2k why go with anything other than a goudey? There's a nice one in BST for around that price right now.

I find this somewhat amusing...as I've always gravitated to the obscure and less common...I avoided goudey ruths for a long time...have owned 3 of the 4 poses minus the orange batting. In my collection the goudeys are expendable as they are common while my tougher ruths stay put!!!

[Chris-Counts]

I'm surprised the 1934 Goudey premium of Ruth isn't more popular. I think it's at least as nice as any of the other bargain Ruths, and it's one of his classic poses. I believe it's the same image as several of the '33 Goudeys. This one sold for just under $500 ...

[orly57]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I'm surprised the 1934 Goudey premium of Ruth isn't more popular. I think it's at least as nice as any of the other bargain Ruths, and it's one of his classic poses. I believe it's the same image as several of the '33 Goudeys. This one sold for just under $500 ...

Eddie and Ryan: I agree with you guys 100%
Chris: I agree that that the Goudey Premium is very attractive and undervalued
James: the Bluebird is awesome, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen it go cheap.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I'm surprised the 1934 Goudey premium of Ruth isn't more popular. I think it's at least as nice as any of the other bargain Ruths, and it's one of his classic poses. I believe it's the same image as several of the '33 Goudeys. This one sold for just under $500 ...

Hi Chris,

This is one of my favorite Ruths and I would definitely consider this one in this scenario.

[Leon]

Lots of great Ruth cards for under 2k...This is in a BVG holder now....

[Bored5000]

Originally Posted by ronniehatesjazz

This^^. If you're willing to spend up to $2k why go with anything other than a goudey? There's a nice one in BST for around that price right now.

I get it that the four Ruth cards in the 1933 Goudey set are iconic, but cards that common never excite me. For $2,000, I would rather have a low-grade Ruth montage from the E121 set. That card is such a cool image(s) and is from the prime of Ruth's career.

[griffon512]

I would go with a low grade Blue Bird Ruth. Great image on an oversized "card."