The upcoming fall event at Robert Edward Auctions has already generated excitement as a rare piece of baseball history takes center stage. It’s not the well-known 1914 Baltimore News card that has collectors buzzing but rather a scarce 1921 Frederick Foto card featuring none other than Babe Ruth himself. With early bids driving the card’s value to an impressive $110,000, this auction promises to be a standout event.
What sets this particular Babe Ruth card apart is its obscurity compared to the already scarce Baltimore News card. The 1921 Frederick Foto series remains shrouded in mystery, with a complete checklist still unconfirmed. Only six cards from this series are known to exist from the past century, making them highly sought after by collectors.
The Frederick Foto cards were issued by the Frederick Foto Service of Sacramento, California. However, the quality of production leaves much to be desired. Player photographs were simply glued onto cardboard, featuring the player’s name, team, and the Frederick Foto brand on the front. The reverse side of the cards is blank. Sizing inconsistencies and large white borders are common due to crude production techniques and subsequent trimming.
Dating the series has been a topic of debate among collectors, with 1921 generally accepted as the year of issue. However, there are some differing opinions on the exact timing. The 1921 series includes both major and minor league players and is estimated to comprise over 100 cards.
The Babe Ruth card from this series is particularly noteworthy. Not only does it feature him with the ‘N.Y.’ insignia of the Yankees, but it also depicts him in a Red Sox uniform—the team he played for before joining the Yankees in 1920. This detail adds to its rarity as one of the earliest cards showing Ruth associated with the Yankees.
What makes this Babe Ruth card even more remarkable is the photograph itself. It is a unique image that does not appear on any other card or in any other media—a singular representation of the baseball legend. The scarcity of such a remarkable photograph is likely amplifying its appeal among collectors.
This rare slice of baseball memorabilia is up for auction and is already drawing attention from both collectors and historians alike. With the bidding set to conclude on December 3, this event is shaping up to be a noteworthy milestone in the world of baseball collectibles. The current bid of $110,000 illustrates just how highly sought after this 1921 Frederick Foto Babe Ruth card has become. As the auction progresses, it will be fascinating to see if the card will break any records and who the fortunate winner will be to add this treasure to their collection.