The fall event at Robert Edward Auctions is set to conclude on December 3, but a rare piece of baseball history featuring Babe Ruth has already emerged as a highlight. This particular item is not the well-known 1914 Baltimore News card, but rather a scarce 1921 Frederick Foto card that depicts the legendary baseball figure. With competitive early bids driving up its value, the card is already worth $110,000 as of Sunday evening. Only six of these cards are known to exist from the past century, and it holds a grade of 2 from SGC, indicating its rare vintage condition.
The value of this specific card has seen a notable increase over the years. In 2015, REA brokered its sale for $42,000, which is now only a fraction of its current bid. What makes the Frederick Foto card even more unique is its obscurity compared to the already scarce Baltimore News card. The 1921 series, which featured both major and minor league players, remains shrouded in mystery, with a complete checklist still unconfirmed. The cards in the series are not numbered, making it challenging to determine a full set, although it’s estimated to comprise over 100 cards.
These cards were issued by the Frederick Foto Service of Sacramento, California. However, they were not known for their quality production. Player photographs were simply glued onto cardboard, displaying the player’s name, team, and the Frederick Foto brand on the front. The reverse side of the cards is blank. Their size is generally in line with tobacco cards from that era, but inconsistencies are common, likely due to crude production techniques or subsequent trimming. These variations often result in cards with disproportionately large white borders.
The exact dating of the series has been a contentious topic among collectors, with 1921 being the widely accepted year of issue, although some disagree on the precise timing.
The Babe Ruth card from this series is particularly noteworthy. Not only does it feature him with the ‘N.Y.’ insignia of the Yankees, but it also intriguingly depicts him in a Red Sox uniform, the team he played for before his iconic tenure with the Yankees that began in 1920. This detail adds to its rarity as one of the earliest cards showing Ruth associated with the Yankees.
What makes this card even more unique is the photograph itself. REA has recognized that this specific image of Ruth does not appear on any other card, nor can it be found in any other type of media. It truly is a one-of-a-kind representation of the baseball legend.
The auction for this rare slice of baseball memorabilia will conclude on December 3. With its current value and historical significance, it is already shaping up to be a noteworthy event for collectors and historians alike. Those who appreciate the rich history of the game will be closely watching as the bidding for this remarkable card continues in the coming weeks.
