A 1914 Babe Ruth Rookie baseball card - just the tenth card of its kind to be discovered - which sold at auction in April. for about $270,000. The card was produced by the Baltimore Sun Newspaper. The second most valuable baseball card behind only the 1909 M206 Honus Wagner tobacco card (which recently sold at auction for $2.35 million).
Once the card is signed it loses it's value as a collectible baseball card. It now becomes a "signed item" to display the signature. The signature would be considered as a flaw in the condition of the card and the bulk of the value will rely on the signature. The card collector will not spend the money on the card. It will be appealing to the autograph collector but the autograph collector will not spend the extra money on the Collectible card.
Signed baseball cards typically sell at a bout 30-40 percent the price of a signed baseball or the price of a signed 8 x 10 photo. The price could also vary based on the popularity of the player, and how sought after the signature is. A high valued card can add some value but not come close to it's un-signed value.
I have not found any closed auction with a signed baseball card but being compatible in value with a photo the value should be in the $3,000.-$4,000. price range in general with added value for the card. value may vary based on condition, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the signature, and how well the baseball card displays the signature. Signatures that are not authenticated could sell at half the market value or less.
In a few recent auctions a signed 3 x 5 photo sold for $5,377.50. a large 17 x 21 fountain pen signed photo with inscription sold for $23,900. The average photo sold for about $3,000. - $4,000
There are a large variety of baseball cards made for Babe Ruth. From the 1916 Sporting News M101 to the modern day Topps baseball cards that sell as low as a dollar. Not to mention the many reprints. prices will vary. Graded cards will sell at a significant price higher.
Most noted Babe Ruth cards include 1916 Sporting News M101 graded Near Mint 7 by PSA, sold for an $82,250. and the Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey baseball card #53 sold for $38,187.50 graded. Most Babe Ruth cards with high value are from the 1930's gum cards sets. A Ruth 1933 Goudey baseball card #149 sold for $2,100. and a 1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth graded PSA NM-MT 8 $16,240.00.
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The value of a Babe Ruth baseball card all depends on the condition it is in. One card in perfect condition sold at an auction for $517,000.