Rarest Baseball Card Ever Headed for Auction, Where it Could Break a World Record

One of the "rarest and most revered" baseball cards in the world is headed for auction, where it may fetch a record-breaking sum. Robert Edward Auctions, the premier auction house specializing in sports memorabilia and trading cards in the United States, will be listing the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card on November 17 as part of the company’s fall auction event.

The card, which is one of just 10 in existence, is the first-ever to feature the Great Bambino, who was just 19-years-old and at the start of his career at the time. Although the card was issued in both red and blue variations, the one going up for auction features a red-and-white image of the legendary pitcher framed by a red border. The reverse side of the card lists home and abroad schedules for the Baltimore team during its 1914 season

Likewise, SGC Grading has determined that the card is in VG ("Very Good") 3 condition, making it the highest-graded example to appear at public auction in more than fifteen years. In addition to being the highest-graded example on the SGC Population Report, the card is also the second-highest graded example in the hobby. Only one other example of the card is graded higher at a 4.

The century-plus old card is expected to sell for at least $10 million or more. If the winning bid exceeds $12.6, it will make history as the most valuable valuable baseball card ever sold. Currently, an iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card holds that record.

"Simply put, the Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card is the most significant baseball card ever produced,” said REA president Brian Dwyer in a statement. "This card is the genesis of Babe Ruth, a man who transcends the game of baseball. This card is not only one of the most elusive pieces of sports memorabilia, it’s one of the rarest collectibles in American history."

"This is a card that every collector dreams of owning, and with so few examples in existence, there is almost no desire to sell these cards by the few privileged enough to own them. It is very likely to be the only example we’ll see available for purchase for years to come," Dwyer added.

Before going to auction, the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card had remained in the same Baltimore-area family for more than one hundred years. From 1998 until earlier this year, it was also the sole example of this card housed at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum in Baltimore, MD. Through Nov. 15, fans can catch the card on public display at the museum alongside a version in blue.