A piece of baseball history has been unearthed in Danvers, Massachusetts—the discovery of a 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card from his early days with the Boston Red Sox has delighted collectors near and far. This particular card, originating from a scarce promotional series by Morehouse Bakery in Lawrence, has long been the stuff of collectors’ dreams. Its emergence has injected a new wave of enthusiasm into the realm of vintage card collecting.
Jeff Gross, a dedicated collector hailing from Newburyport, shared the thrilling narrative of this uncovering. It all began at a family estate sale in Danvers, where Gross engaged in a casual chat with a visitor about baseball cards.
Inquiring about the Babe Ruth Morehouse Bakery cards, Gross was met with an unexpected response. The visitor, who opted to remain anonymous, revealed that his father had amassed a vast collection of the Morehouse Bakery series. Stored away in boxes for decades were over a hundred cards, including two prized Babe Ruth rookie cards.
“This is Babe Ruth in 1916,” expressed Gross. “He was merely a lean southpaw pitcher for the Red Sox during that time, distinct from the iconic home-run-hitting Yankees figure we know today.”
The exceptional value of the Morehouse Bakery cards lies in the advertising printed on the reverse side. PJ Kinsella from Robert Edward Auctions emphasized that this unique attribute enhances their scarcity and significance.
“It’s the Morehouse Baking ad on the back that truly sets this collection apart,” noted Kinsella. The Babe Ruth rookie card, in superior condition, is anticipated to command a starting price of at least $500,000 when it heads to auction.
Gross, leveraging his seasoned expertise as a collector, is aiding the card’s proprietor with the impending sale. The auction is slated to kick off on Friday, with Gross planning a bid-watching festivity alongside the card’s owner and spouse.
When asked about the windfall, Gross playfully quipped, “Someone asked me, ‘Does he know he just hit the lottery?’ And I said, ‘He does now.’ I proposed to my wife, maybe we should continue hosting yard sales and hope the next million-dollar collection stumbles upon us.”
This recent revelation contributes to a year marked by extraordinary baseball card discoveries in Massachusetts. Earlier in the year, during a residential demolition in Chatham, an unopened pack of 1952 Bowman baseball cards surfaced. The sealed pack, too, is speculated to hold a value of up to a million dollars.
For now, all eyes are fixed on the Babe Ruth rookie card—a rare relic from baseball’s heyday and a testament to the unceasing delight of uncovering hidden gems.
Amidst the extraordinary frenzy at Baseball Card Castle in Cranberry, the pursuit of rare cards continues unabated.
Owner Jeff Patton revealed, “This marks day eight of an expedition unlike any card journey we’ve encountered.”
As the fervor mounts, devoted collectors are primed to venture into the unknown. Enthusiasts such as Joe Balcik from Monroeville harbor high aspirations.
“I heard they’re offering big bucks if you snag the right card,” shared Balcik, divulging his strategy of selecting cards from various sections.
Meanwhile, for Georgia Krastek of McCandless, the hunt holds a personal significance. A steadfast Pirates supporter who attended 23 games this season, she has made it her mission to secure Paul Skenes’ autograph all year.
“I tried tirelessly to obtain Paul Skenes’ autograph, but it eluded me every time,” lamented Krastek.
Transforming from a mere hobby to a widespread obsession, the pursuit of the Pirates’ coveted offer has gripped the masses. What was once confined to seasoned collectors has now drawn in novices from all walks of life.
Patton remarked, “Now it’s not just the usual suspects. Grandparents are stopping by, saying, ‘I want my grandkid to partake in this.'”
With a reward as thrilling as years of prime seats at PNC Park, the escalating excitement is justified.
“I would definitely attend,” mused Krastek, envisioning a triumphant outcome. “And I bet my grandsons would pay me more visits too.”
The unrelenting demand at Baseball Card Castle propels Patton into a tireless endeavor to meet every request.
“The waitlist keeps growing,” he acknowledged. “We’re ahead, preparing for tomorrow. We assure cards for tomorrow, by any means necessary.”
While the treasured card remains elusive, the flame of hope burns bright for every collector unraveling a pack.
“It would be a dream come true,” murmured Krastek, clutching onto that glimmer of hope.
As the quest persists, one certainty emerges—this pursuit has united fans, families, and collectors in the relentless chase for something truly extraordinary.
