Ruth, George Herman ("Babe") | An unsurpassed example of the Sultan of Babe Ruth cards

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Ruth, George Herman ("Babe")

1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth PSA Mint 9

Baseball card (74 x 60 mm). Slabbed and graded Mint 9 by PSA, certification no. 08125174.

The year 1933 was a landmark for the Goudey Gum Co., the first in which they inserted baseball cards with their product. The popularity of the card series was such that it made Goudey the number one distributor of gum in the world. Of the four different cards of Babe Ruth offered within the set, this full body pose is the most visually impressive; PSA describes it as "arguably his most important" card. Only three other examples of the 1933 Goudy #144 Babe Ruth have earned an equal grade, and none have been graded higher.

PROVENANCE

Sotheby's/Sports Cards Plus, auction of Baseball Memorabilia, 2 December 2004, lot 297