A valuable piece of baseball history has resurfaced in Danvers, Massachusetts, as a 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card from his early days as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox has been unearthed. Considered a collector’s dream due to its rarity and historical significance, this find has sent shockwaves of excitement through the vintage card collecting community.
Jeff Gross, a passionate collector of rare baseball memorabilia based in Newburyport, shared the exhilarating discovery story. It all began at a family estate sale in Danvers, where Gross engaged in a casual conversation with a visitor about baseball cards. To his amazement, the visitor disclosed that his father had collected the Morehouse Bakery series, which included over 100 cards stored away for decades, among them two Babe Ruth rookie cards.
“This is Babe Ruth in 1916,” Gross pointed out. “He was just a skinny left-handed pitcher for the Red Sox, not the home-run-hitting Yankee legend we think of today.” The Morehouse Bakery cards are particularly sought after for the advertising printed on the back, a feature that elevates their rarity and value, as highlighted by PJ Kinsella of Robert Edward Auctions.
The unique advertising on the back of the Babe Ruth rookie card is what sets it apart, making this collection truly special. The card is estimated to fetch at least $500,000 when it goes up for auction. Gross, with his expertise as a seasoned collector, is guiding the card’s owner through the selling process and plans to host a bid-watching party with the owner and his wife to celebrate the auction kick-off.
The discovery of the Babe Ruth rookie card adds to a series of remarkable baseball card finds in Massachusetts in 2024. Earlier in the year, an unopened pack of 1952 Bowman baseball cards surfaced during a home demolition in Chatham, with a potential value of up to a million dollars. However, the spotlight now shines brightly on the Babe Ruth rookie card, a rare artifact from baseball’s golden age that epitomizes the thrill of uncovering hidden treasures.
In Cranberry’s Baseball Card Castle, the excitement and anticipation escalate with each new shipment of cards, turning the search for rare finds into an exhilarating adventure for collectors.
“This journey is unlike any card quest we’ve embarked on,” shared Jeff Patton, the store’s owner.
The Card Chase: A Quest Like No Other
The thrill of the hunt is tangible as collectors gear up to try their luck with each new card pack. Enthusiastic customers, like Joe Balcik of Monroeville, are eager to seize the opportunity.
“I heard they’re offering big money for the right card,” Balcik remarked, sharing his strategy of selecting cards from various parts of the pack. Meanwhile, Georgia Krastek of McCandless, a devoted Pirates fan, is on a personal mission to secure an autograph from Skenes.
The Hobby Turns Phenomenon
The Pirates’ enticing offer has ignited a wildfire of interest in the card, transforming what was once a niche pursuit for seasoned collectors into a phenomenon that attracts participants from all walks of life.
“Now it’s not just the usual collectors,” explained Patton. “Grandparents are coming in, saying, ‘I want to involve my grandchildren in this.'”
The burgeoning excitement surrounding the card’s reward, which includes decades of premium seats at PNC Park, is contagious, with fans like Krastek envisioning memorable wins and more frequent visits from grandsons.
The Demand Grows
Patton’s dedication to meeting the escalating demand at Baseball Card Castle is evident, as he tirelessly works to ensure a steady supply of products for eager collectors.
“The list continues to fill up,” he shared. “We’re already preparing for tomorrow’s list. We promise product availability for tomorrow, and we’ll make it happen somehow.”
While the elusive card remains a coveted prize, hope remains alive for every collector who eagerly opens a new pack, with dreams of striking gold and sharing in the joy of a truly special find.
