A piece of baseball history has recently been uncovered in Danvers, Massachusetts—a 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card from his early pitching days with the Boston Red Sox. This card, part of a rare promotional series from Morehouse Bakery in Lawrence, is a true collector’s gem that has stirred excitement in the vintage card collecting world.
Jeff Gross, a collector from Newburyport with a deep-seated love for rare baseball memorabilia, shared the fascinating tale of this remarkable find. The journey began at a family estate sale in Danvers, where Gross engaged in a casual chat about baseball cards with a visitor.
During their conversation, Gross inquired about the Babe Ruth Morehouse Bakery cards which led to an unexpected revelation. The visitor, who prefers to remain unnamed, disclosed that his father had been an avid collector of the Morehouse Bakery series. Preserved in boxes for decades, the collection housed over 100 cards, including two pristine Babe Ruth rookie cards.
Gross marveled at the significance of the find, emphasizing that the card depicted a young and slender Babe Ruth in 1916, way before his iconic status as a home-run-hitting legend with the Yankees. What sets the Morehouse Bakery cards apart is the advertising on the back, a distinctive feature that enhances their rarity and value, as highlighted by PJ Kinsella of Robert Edward Auctions.
The Babe Ruth rookie card, especially in better condition, is projected to command a staggering sum of at least $500,000 when it goes under the hammer. With his expertise in collecting, Gross has taken on the role of assisting the card’s proprietor in the upcoming sale. The auction is scheduled to commence on Friday, and to mark the occasion, Gross intends to organize a bid-watching celebration for the card’s owner and his spouse.
The discovery of the Babe Ruth rookie card adds to a year filled with extraordinary baseball card unveilings in Massachusetts. Earlier in 2024, a sealed pack of 1952 Bowman baseball cards was unearthed during a home demolition in Chatham, presenting the potential for another million-dollar valuation.
Presently, the spotlight shines brightly on the Babe Ruth rookie card—a rare artifact harking back to baseball’s golden era and symbolizing the enduring thrill of unearthing hidden treasures. The anticipation and excitement continue to build at Baseball Card Castle in Cranberry, where collectors eagerly await their turn to dive into the world of vintage cards.
The pursuit of this rare card has captivated collectors like never before, igniting a frenzy of excitement and anticipation. With customers like Joe Balcik of Monroeville ready to take their chances and Georgia Krastek of McCandless pursuing a personal mission, the thrill of the chase has become a phenomenon of its own.
The allure of the Pirates’ offer has broadened interest in the card, attracting novice collectors alongside seasoned enthusiasts seeking the coveted prize of prime seats at PNC Park. As the demand surges, stores like Baseball Card Castle are working tirelessly to meet the growing interest, promising new product deliveries daily to keep pace with the demand.
Amidst the fervor of the hunt, one sentiment remains constant—the shared pursuit of something special that brings together fans, families, and collectors alike with the hope of uncovering a cherished piece of history.