This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2024
The 1922 W573 Babe Ruth card is a remarkable piece of baseball history and a true collector’s prize. Originally distributed as part of uncut sheets, each W573 card had to be hand-cut, resulting in a wide range of border widths, centering, and alignment variations. This unique aspect makes well-cut, well-centered examples exceptionally rare and highly desirable among collectors. Often compared to the 1922 E120 American Caramel Company cards, the W573 series has its own charm, especially Ruth’s card, which showcases the legendary slugger in a simple, timeless portrait. The minimalist design captures Ruth at the height of his career with the Yankees, giving it a vintage elegance that feels unfiltered by later design trends. Grading agencies hold W573 cards to a strict standard, particularly because of their hand-cut origins, so finely preserved examples like this one are truly sought after. This SGC 5 EX-graded Ruth card is crisp, with excellent sharpness in the image and slightly off-right centering—a minor flaw that hardly detracts from its appeal. The corners show the anticipated wear, along with a few small spots, yet this card remains a fantastic opportunity for collectors aiming to secure a rare and historically significant Babe Ruth card from an iconic, yet lesser known, set.