What: One of the all-time collector โgets,โ a 1916 Babe Ruth rookie baseball card that brought $204,000 when sold earlier this year at Robert Edward Auctions. A prime factor in the result was its near mint condition. This card was also relatively fresh to the market, as it had not sold since the 1980s when it came from the collection of a legendary dealer. All that adds value.
More: Originally published by Sporting News, the card was printed front and back. Both sides must be pristine for top value. Issued with a blank reverse for local ads or with a Sporting News ad on the back, it is the latter that matters.
Smart collectors know: Early rookie cards of a sports figure who went on to become an icon are often significant.
Hot tip: The Babe Ruth rookie card is one of the fastest appreciating sports cards.
Bottom line: Condition made the difference for this card. According to grading, it is crisp with strong corners. The image is centered perfectly and there are no marks or snow from the print process.
Book it: โAntique Trader Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide 2016โ by Eric Bradley (Krause, $22.99) has 800 pages of color photos and sale results. Whatever you wonder about, from luxury goods to dolls to souvenirs, this is a comprehensive one-stop reference.
