The fall event at Robert Edward Auctions is set to conclude on December 3, yet an uncommon piece of baseball history featuring Babe Ruth has emerged as a highlight well before the final gavel. This isn’t about the well-documented 1914 Baltimore News card, but rather a scarce 1921 Frederick Foto card depicting the legendary baseball figure. As of Sunday evening, competitive early bids have propelled the card’s value to $110,000.
The card, one of just six known to exist from the past century, holds a grade of 2 from SGC, indicating its rare vintage condition. This particular card has seen a notable increase in value over the years, with REA having brokered its sale for $42,000 back in 2015—a fraction of its current bid. What sets the Frederick Foto card apart, even more, is its obscurity when compared to the already scarce Baltimore News card.
The 1921 series, which included both major and minor league players, is shrouded in such mystery that a complete checklist remains unconfirmed. The cards in the series aren’t numbered, adding to the challenge of determining a full set, though it’s estimated to comprise over 100 cards. The Frederick Foto Service of Sacramento, California is credited with issuing these cards, which unfortunately were not the epitome of 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 these cards is blank. Their size is generally in line with tobacco cards from the era, though inconsistencies are common, likely due to crude production techniques or subsequent trimming. These variations often result in cards with disproportionately large white borders.
While the exact dating of the series has been a topic of debate among collectors, 1921 is widely accepted as the year of issue, although some disagree on the precise timing. But what makes the Babe Ruth card from this series particularly noteworthy is that it features him with the ‘N.Y.’ insignia of the Yankees but also intriguingly depicts him in a Red Sox uniform, the team he played for before his iconic tenure with the Yankees beginning in 1920. This detail adds to its rarity as one of the earliest cards showing Ruth associated with the Yankees.
A unique attribute of this card 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 is a singular representation of the baseball legend, making it even more desirable for collectors and historians alike.
The auction for this rare slice of baseball memorabilia will wrap up on December 3, and it is already shaping up to be a noteworthy event. Collectors and historians are eagerly anticipating the final bid for the 1921 Frederick Foto card featuring Babe Ruth. This scarce and unique card, with its rare vintage condition and one-of-a-kind photograph, has captured the attention of baseball enthusiasts around the world. As the auction comes to a close, the fate of this valuable piece of baseball history will soon be determined.
