(LOT 33)
1932 U.S. Caramel #32 Babe Ruth PSA 7 NM
NEAR-MINT BAMBINO!!! This extraordinary PSA 7 NM Babe Ruth 1932 U.S. Caramel issue, although momentous in appearance, has always been one of the most underrated cards in the hobby. Simply stated, regardless of grade, the U.S. Caramel Ruth presents a scant existence versus the 1933 Goudey Ruth population. At the time this was written, there were only 145 Caramel Ruths encapsulated by PSA versus a substantial 5,100+ PSA Goudey Ruths for all four subjects (an average of some 1,275 per subject!). Simple math tells us that the 1932 U.S. Caramel Ruth PSA population is only 11% of a single Goudey Ruth, substantiating why this hallowed PSA NM 7 example is a most significant offering! Currently, only eight other PSA examples exist at this lofty plateau, with a mere fifteen graded higher. Now consider that PSA 7 Goudeys are consistently fetching between $120K - $140K, with sales for several different examples including $132K for a #53 yellow background subject (February 2022); $133K for a #144 full standing subject (likewise February 2022), and $120K for a #149 red background subject (August 2022) – at the time this was written these were the most recent PSA 7 sales.

While a PSA 7 U.S. Caramel Ruth hasn't publicly sold for nearly 18 months, when you take into account the immense rarity of the U.S. Caramel Ruth subject versus its Goudey brethren (there are only nine PSA 7 U.S. Caramel Ruths versus an average of some 30 PSA 7 Goudey Ruths for each of the four subjects - 121 PSA 7 Goudey Ruths in total), it stands to reason that its true value extensively exceeds the six-figure mark. As an additional side note, in lieu of the amazing $12.6 million eight-figure record sale for an SGC 9.5 Gem Mint 10 1952 Topps Mantle in August 2022, it is no secret that the card hobby is experiencing an affluent up-tick for iconic cardboard treasures, and we cannot imagine a better player to continue feeding this tsunami-like pricing frenzy than the incomparable Sultan of Swat.

Conceptually similar to the 1933 Goudey Sport Kings issue, the 1932 U.S. Caramel set issued several non-baseball sports figures (five of the 32 subjects were boxers/golfers with the remaining 27 baseball stars), and synonymous with every issue since Ruth's original appearance in a Major League uniform, the Babe's subject prevails as the most coveted and valuable card in the set. The overwhelming pop chart disparity versus its Goudey Ruth counterparts leads us to believe the U.S. Caramel Ruth will continue gaining ground with regard to potential value, and as previously stated, PSA 7 Goudey Ruth subjects are now far exceeding the six-figure mark. Indeed, it makes perfect sense that this breathtaking offering is the perfect investment card to add to your esteemed collection. Babe Ruth's iconic standing has elevated his name to a pinnacle level in all of sports, justifying why his vintage cards are highly sought-after in the collecting community.

He is the undisputable greatest baseball player of all-time, bar none, and this remarkable PSA 7 offering is destined to be a centerpiece attraction in any Ruthian gathering. Considering a picture is worth a thousand words, the overall aesthetics of this amazing gem merits the highest hobby accolades, starting with an outstanding Bambino portrait pose depicting Ruth's sheepish good-natured grin. Rich facial hues, a flawless-like fire-engine red background, near-perfect centering, and blinding white borders are the spine-tingling highlights of this prestigious keepsake. Portraying pack-fresh quality to say the least, its world-class assessment and sparkling aesthetics place it as one of the most formidable Ruth cards you will ever come across, issued during the season when the Babe would turn the baseball world upside down via his "Called Shot" in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series.

The Yankees would best the Chicago Cubs in four straight games while claiming their 4th world championship, and this grandeur Ruth offering is synonymous with that glorious campaign, truly residing as the only mainstream Ruth card issued during the 1932 calendar season. Indeed, this world-class offering has everything going for it, including breathtaking aesthetics, a rare for the grade assessment, an extensive period of time since its last appearance at public auction, and most of all, the unique George Herman "Babe" Ruth image that only appears on the one and only U.S. Caramel #32 subject. While we cannot even begin to estimate its ultimate value, we will defer to the sophisticated collector to determine its true worth, with the final bidder destined to earn bragging rights for years to come!

MIN BID $25,000
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