(LOT 2)
1932 U.S. Caramel (R328) Signed #32 Babe Ruth w/a PSA 9 MINT Autograph - The Only Known U.S. Caramel Example Signed by Babe Ruth!
There is nothing more captivating in our illustrious hobby than the prospect of owning a "one of a kind" collectible that provides its new owner with unparalleled bragging rights for years to come. That said, we at Memory Lane are proud to present one of the most extraordinary Babe Ruth cards extant, a unique 1932 U.S. Caramel #32 Babe Ruth subject that has been actually autographed by Babe Ruth! Indeed folks, the eloquent Bambino has neatly scripted "Sincerely, Babe Ruth" directly beneath his hallowed pose in bold black fountain pen, with PSA appropriately awarding the signature a "9 MINT" assessment. Miraculous to say the least, the prestigious PSA "Pop" Chart lists this awe-inspiring marvel as the SOLE scripted Ruth example, and if that doesn't quench your thirst, consider that this just happens to be the only signed U.S. Caramel subject on the PSA population report for ALL 32 subjects! Indeed, this remarkable keepsake is the only PSA authenticated autographed U.S. Caramel, and to the best of our knowledge, one of the few signed Babe Ruth cards sporting an extremely rare "Sincerely" salutation. The emergence of signed iconic sports cards needs no introduction, with staggering price tags knowing no boundaries. In 2020 and early 2021, the hobby realized incredible pricing points for some of the most coveted issues, spearheaded by the unprecedented Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig sales from the legendary "Uncle Jimmy Collection." 

In a Fall 2020 auction, a signed #181 Goudey Ruth realized an absolutely amazing $437K sale, a record setting number for any pre-WWII signed sports card. Yet, that spectacular record sale would soon be a distant memory when in February 2021, an autographed #149 Goudey Ruth fetched an extraordinary $761K. It would make perfect sense for these previously undervalued signed Babe Ruth Goudey cards to finally "hit their stride", especially considering modern signed cards such as Mike Trout and LeBron James rookies in 2020 fetched remarkable $3.8 million and $5.2 million figures, respectively. Therefore, one must truly consider the colossal value of a "one of a kind" signed U.S. Caramel Ruth example versus its Goudey brethren for which there are 25+ known scripted examples. Indeed, this sole signed offering resides as the perfect representation of the 'Sultan of Swat" for ironically, Babe Ruth likewise stands alone as the undisputed greatest player to ever grace a baseball diamond. Issued in 1932 by the United States Caramel Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, it was part of a 32-subject set that included some of our National Pastime's greatest players, with the final #32 subject being none other than George Babe Ruth. Generally speaking, the Babe Ruth 1932 U.S. Caramel issue has always been one of his most underrated cards, especially considering its scant existence versus the 1933 Goudey Ruth population. At the time this was written, there was roughly 150 PSA graded Caramel Ruth's, roughly 3% of the total 5,000+ PSA encapsulated Goudey Ruth's. This easily substantiates why there are some 25+ scripted Goudey Ruth subjects versus this unique U.S. Caramel offering, with the "Babe's" devoted fan base having limited opportunity to present Ruth with a U.S. Caramel card for his sanctified autograph.

It may be easier to "find a needle in a haystack" than to come across such a bold Babe Ruth signature that can literally be seen across a room. The PSA "9 MINT" autograph grade is ultra-consistent with the script, with the signature retaining nearly all of its original black fountain pen strength. While the card reveals various surface issues including stray creases, spotted surface abrasions, corner layering, several notations and evidence of scrapbook removal and scattered writing on the verso, most significantly, the critical central image has eluded any obtrusive flaws. Of particular interest is the eclectic portrait pose of the flamboyant Ruth, unique to any baseball card with the "Colossus of Swat" portraying a modest grin as he dons his classic Yankees cap. Of course, it is the "POP 1" stature and "MINT" signature that literally "steal the show", for if you are assembling some of Ruth's most elusive signed artifacts, NONE are rarer than this unique heirloom. The escalating values for signed Babe Ruth cards issued during his playing days is further evident by a scripted #149 Goudey with zero provenance realizing $359K in 2021. No doubt, signed Ruth cards carry a seemingly infinite-like pricing potential, and we cannot even begin to estimate what this "one of a kind" scripted U.S. Caramel Ruth is truly worth. When you consider Babe Ruth's unparalleled standing in baseball history as both a stellar pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and unparalleled New York Yankees slugger, his overall stature cannot be overemphasized.

The "Sultan of Swat's" sheer existence resides above the game itself, so it should come as little surprise that his signed cards are finally receiving the recognition they truly deserve. Before scratching your head as to why a signed Ruth card could achieve the previously mentioned $761K price tag, keep in mind that modern autographed cards such as Tom Brady, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Mike Trout have easily surpassed the seven-figure mark. Relatively speaking, the current pricing points of scripted Babe Ruth cards continue to be significantly undervalued, qualifying this esteemed "unique" offering as a once in a lifetime opportunity to capture the rarest of all signed Babe Ruth baseball cards. It was roughly a year ago that Memory Lane sold a "POP 1" PSA 9 Goudey #53 Ruth in the legendary Dr. Thomas Newman sale for a record setting $4.2 million. While this card was not signed, it was its "POP 1" highest graded stature that prompted the immense price tag, with collectors surely recognizing the significance of a "unique for the grade" Ruth Goudey. Clearly, the premier and rarest sport cards are now viewed as not only collectibles, but as bona-fide investment commodities, and the next Babe Ruth "Queen Mary" memento has officially pulled into port via this "one of a kind" scripted U.S. Caramel Ruth. Regarding its definitive worth, its "POP 1" stature eliminates any possibility of benchmark pricing over the past several years, with any futile attempt of comprehending its unlimited value synonymous to visualizing the size of the universe. What we do know with 100% certainty is that its undisputed stature as the only known signed U.S. Caramel #32 Ruth subject on the planet will prompt a bidding frenzy among the hobby's elite, with the most esteemed enthusiasts frantically fighting for its final ownership!

This lot comes with a Beckett LOA and a JSA LOA

MIN BID $50,000