Babe Ruth entered the 1933 season fresh off of his incredible seventh and final World Series title, the one still remembered today for his called shot. This was when the incredible and timeless 1933 Goudey Big League Gum set was created. Today, Ruth's #181 card from the Goudey set is among the most coveted vintage baseball cards in existence.
One of four Ruth versions in the prestigious Goudey issue, this signed example of the unmistakable #181 card is exceedingly rare, as there are just 8 graded examples in PSA's consensus population report. PSA/DNA graded the signature a Near Mint 7, though the black ballpoint pen autograph presents even cleaner than that already high grade.
The card has a clean back and exhibits wear on the edges and corners typical of a card nearly a century old, with a very thin patch of paper loss along the right border. These minor imperfections do not take away from the main focus of the card: the stunning image and signature of Ruth that appears nearly as sharp as the day he signed it.
This lot offers a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a high-grade Ruth signature on one of his most famous cards, one any major vintage baseball collector simply cannot miss. It should be noted that, in 2020 as part of the Uncle Jimmy Collection, a comparable signed #181 card sold for $436,000 and a signed #149 went for $761,000! The bar continues to be set higher and higher for pre-war autographed cards, especially when it comes to the King of the Hobby.
ESTIMATE: $250,000+