Notes on the file
Written from the record above. Every figure quoted here is one of the figures in the table; anything that could not be traced back to a verified sale was cut rather than corrected.
What this card is
It is among the most significant rookie-era cards in the hobby, predating his rise to national stardom.
The set it came from
The set included numerous players, with Ruth's card, numbered 151, standing as its most valuable and sought-after entry due to his later fame.
Why the grades diverge
Surviving examples span a wide condition range, from low-grade SGC 1.5 copies to higher SGC 7 and PSA 7 specimens; professionally graded copies exist across multiple grading services, with condition heavily influencing value given the card's age and fragility.
What the record shows
Realized sales for this card demonstrate extreme price sensitivity to grade and paper quality, ranging from a $20 sale on an ungraded copy to $1,770,000 for an SGC 7 example in 2023. Mid-grade copies (PSA 2.5 to SGC 5) have sold between roughly $276,000 and $552,000 in recent years, while a PSA 7 sold for $1,372,500 in early 2025. The market shows high volatility tied closely to certified grade and condition.
- Why is this card historically significant?
- It is considered one of Babe Ruth's earliest known cards, predating his emergence as baseball's most famous slugger, making it highly valuable to collectors of pre-war baseball memorabilia.
- How much has the 1916 Ruth Sporting News card sold for?
- Realized sales range widely by grade, from $20 for an ungraded copy to $1,770,000 for an SGC 7 example sold in 2023.
- Does grade significantly affect the card's value?
- Yes, sale prices vary enormously by condition, with low-grade copies selling in the tens of thousands to low hundreds of thousands, while higher graded copies (SGC 7, PSA 7) have exceeded $1 million.
- Who manufactured the 1916 Sporting News set?
- The set was produced and distributed by The Sporting News publication in 1916.