A piece of baseball history has recently been unearthed in Danvers, Massachusetts—a 1916 Babe Ruth rookie card from his early days as a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Known to be part of a rare promotional series from Morehouse Bakery in Lawrence, this discovery has set the vintage card collecting world abuzz.
The find was narrated by Jeff Gross, a collector based in Newburyport with a penchant for rare baseball memorabilia. During a family estate sale in Danvers, Gross struck up a conversation with a visitor about baseball cards. To his amazement, the man revealed that his father had collected the Morehouse Bakery series, with over 100 cards stowed away in boxes for decades—among them, two Babe Ruth rookie cards.
Gross emphasized the significance of the card, stating, “This is Babe Ruth in 1916, just a skinny left-handed pitcher for the Red Sox, not the home-run-hitting Yankee legend we think of today.” What makes the Morehouse Bakery cards exceptionally valuable is the advertising printed on the back, elevating their rarity and worth, as noted by PJ Kinsella of Robert Edward Auctions.
The Babe Ruth rookie card in better condition is expected to fetch a minimum of $500,000 at auction. Gross, an experienced collector, is assisting the card’s owner with the sale, set to commence on Friday. He plans to mark the occasion with a bid-watching party, celebrating with the owner and his wife.
This discovery adds to a year filled with remarkable baseball card finds in Massachusetts. Earlier in 2024, an unopened pack of 1952 Bowman baseball cards was discovered during a home demolition in Chatham, potentially worth up to a million dollars. However, all attention is currently focused on the Babe Ruth rookie card—an extraordinary artifact from baseball’s golden era and a testament to the enduring excitement of uncovering hidden treasures.
At Baseball Card Castle in Cranberry, the hunt for rare cards continues fervently, with each new shipment intensifying the search.
The atmosphere at the store is electric as collectors eagerly pursue their chances. Customers like Joe Balcik of Monroeville are hopeful for a lucrative find, with a strategy of selecting cards from different parts of the pack. Meanwhile, Georgia Krastek of McCandless, a dedicated Pirates fan, remains on a personal mission to secure Skenes’ autograph, displaying unwavering enthusiasm and determination.
Since the remarkable offer from the Pirates was announced, interest in the card has surged, attracting a diverse array of collectors. What was once a hobby for dedicated enthusiasts has now evolved into a widespread phenomenon, drawing participation from individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Patton, the store’s owner, has been working tirelessly to keep up with the escalating demand, emphasizing the growing list of interested individuals eager to participate in the search. Despite the card remaining elusive for now, the collective dream of every collector remains vivid and alive—a reflection of the unifying power of this extraordinary pursuit.
As the search continues, it is evident that this journey has brought together fans, families, and collectors in a shared quest for something truly exceptional.
