(LOT 142)
1921 E220 Babe Ruth National Caramel Series of 120 PSA 2 GOOD
SCARCE E220 BABE!!! Presented here is the ever-elusive 1921 E220 National Caramel Babe Ruth subject in a splendid PSA 2 holder. The illustrious PSA Pop Chart indicates that this PSA 2 scarcity is one of only eight examples at this plateau with a meager three copies graded higher, while SGC lists only two SGC 2 Ruth subjects and a mere three superior examples. Finding the E220 Ruth in ANY GRADE is a painstaking task, with PSA listing only 21 total specimens, most of which reflect unsightly aesthetics. The National Caramel's obscurity can be traced back to 1921, when this Lancaster, PA based candy company distributed a black and white 120-card set over an estimated three-year period (1921–23) within their popular caramel brand packages. Considered the scarcest of all 1920s "E" cards (along with the likewise scant E122s), other than a single PSA 5 Ruth, mid-grade examples simply don't exist (the PSA 5 sold for an astounding $195K in a Memory Lane September 2023 auction).

This phenomenon is due to the very poor factory printing process, whereby a majority of E220s portray light contrast and irregular/butterfly cuts. Additionally, low-grade examples have also fetched lofty price tags, including an SGC 1.5 nailing down $25K some two years ago. One of the intriguing highlights of the E220 set are the ultra-obscure images only appearing on National Caramel subjects, especially the Babe Ruth issue that reveals an iconic illustration. It is the Babe's classic follow-through batting image that can literally make one's heart skip a beat, as the mighty Bambino watches another colossal blast soar towards the grandstands. Considering Ruth is wearing his home Yankee pinstripes and white cap with an American flag in the background, this immortal pose was allegedly taken on opening day 1921 at the Polo Grounds (Yankees wore white caps for their home games in 1919 and 1921).

While the Yankees did play the Giants in the 1921 Fall Classic at the Polo Grounds, where red, white and blue bunting was likewise utilized, 1921 World Series images clearly indicate the Yankees switched to classic blue caps for the 1921 postseason (most likely due to the opposing NY Giants also wearing white caps). Therefore, we are left to assume that the only other game prestigious enough to require an American flag (or bunting) would be opening day, which traditionally included any type of decorative red, white and blue paraphernalia. That said, the Yankees would be off to the races on opening day 1921, blasting Connie Mack's Philadelphia Athletics by an 11-1 score. It would be Ruth himself who would steal the show, posting a sensational five hits in five at-bats, including two doubles and two runs batted in. What photo could possibly better represent America's Pastime than Babe Ruth completing his mighty swing with the American flag and grandstands serving as a spine-tingling setting. Other than the immortal Charles Conlon 1927 Ruth batting image used for his 1933 Goudey cards, no other Babe Ruth Yankees batting pose is as captivating as this classic illustration.

Issued during the era when the Sultan of Swat was out-homering nearly every MLB team, he walloped a record-setting 54 and 59 dingers in his first two Big Apple seasons. Ruth would lead the mighty Yankees to their inaugural world championship in 1923, the year "the House that Ruth Built" first opened its doors to the public. The superb aesthetics are highlighted by Ruth's classic swinging pose emanating atypical spectacular contrast and clarity, with most known examples emulating extremely light image quality. Amazing for any E220 subject, no obtrusive surface flaws are evident on either side, with the grade due to general surface wear, a few stray wrinkles/creases, even corner wear, and a diminutive surface abrasion near the lower left frame. The final compliment is a bold "Series of 120" National Caramel ad back also exhibiting a few minor wrinkles. In closing, the few existing E220 2 GOOD or 3 VG Ruth examples have not sold at public auction for quite some time, with the aforementioned $195K value for a PSA 5 the most recent benchmark for this highly coveted 1921 Ruthian heirloom!

MIN BID $10,000
_