(LOT 145)
1922 E121 American Caramel Babe Ruth Holding Ball (Series of 120) SGC 3 VG – POP 2; Only 2 SGC Examples Graded Higher!
RUTH HOLDING BALL SCARCITY!!! In the early 1920s, the American Caramel Company produced several sets with imposing black and white images. The 1922 E121 "Series of 120" set included many high-end Hall of Famers, including three different variations of the immortal Babe Ruth (Holding Bird; Photo Montage; & Holding Ball). Presented here is arguably the most popular and valuable of the three images, Ruth Holding Ball illustration, graded an eye-pleasing SGC 3 VG. At the time this was written, SGC had encapsulated only a single other example at this plateau, with a meager two SGC specimens graded higher! Recently, we have seen an incredible pricing surge for low-grade black and white early 1920 Ruth cards, with several 2.5 Good+ and 3 VG sales realizing $16K-$25K pricing points, as well as a PSA 4 nailing down a record $43K in a May 2022 Memory Lane Auction.

Indeed, the Bambino's early 1920s black and white caramel cards are extremely rarer than their 1930s Goudey Ruth peers, arguably providing far greater investment potential (Goudey Ruth 3 VG typically sell in the $12K-$20K range). After joining the Yankees in 1920, Babe Ruth propelled the game to another level, highlighted by his mammoth home runs and spirited personality that captivated an entire nation. The Colossus of Swat was literally out-homering nearly every MLB team, and his record-breaking 59 round-trippers in 1921 prompted a frenzy among his myriad of followers who relentlessly pursued attaining his ultra-desirable candy cards.

It's no secret that companies seized the opportunity of capitalizing on Ruth's immense popularity to promote their brand, with various candy manufacturers throwing their hat into the ring by utilizing the Sultan of Swat's image on their baseball card subjects. Virtually every serious vintage collector seeks to obtain an early 1920s card of the great Bambino, and the offered 3 VG example suffices as one of his most popular artifacts. The superb contrast and crystal-clear clarity of the black and white Ruth holding ball pose are virtually unsurpassable, with the illustration miraculously eluding any notable creases or other blemishes. Fine top-to-bottom centering is somewhat compromised by the classic image favoring the left edge, and the bold ""BABE" Ruth O.F. – New York Americans" text has retained its original luster. The somewhat toned "Series of 120" American Caramel ad back is an additional highlight, and no glaring surface flaws are evident.

Accounting for the grade is standard corner wear, soiling along the left and lower right edges, and a modest diagonal crease near the upper left corner. Most significantly, the critical central image has not been compromised by any obtrusive flaws, incredibly retaining the majority of its original luster over the past 102 years. Babe Ruth's hobby stature continues to multiply at an exponential rate, justified by one of his 1921 E121 pitching pose cards selling for a record-setting $338K in our July 2021 auction. It therefore makes perfect sense that Ruth's significantly undervalued 1922 American Caramel cards are now primed to likewise take off in value at a meteoric rate. Rarely do we strongly applaud a VG assessment; however, this offering's super condition-sensitivity, extreme low population for the grade, and the fact it represents baseball's undisputed all-time greatest player all combine to place it as a momentous Ruth heirloom from his early Yankees playing days!

MIN BID $5,000
_