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Signed 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth card, rare Luka rookie highlight PWCC’s June auction
Babe Ruth’s 1933 Goudey cards are some of the most popular and valuable vintage cards in the hobby, often attracting six and seven figures. But finding one with an autograph is extremely rare.
PWCC has one in its June Premier Auction that could fetch high six figures.
The 1933 Goudey Ruth #181 is graded PSA/DNA 9. The same card graded PSA 8 just sold for $268,736 as part of the Manny Gordon Collection at Memory Lane Inc.
The Ruth autograph is in dark ink and although the back of the card has an ink stain, the front has strong eye appeal with a clean surface and good centering, according to PWCC.
There are four different Goudey Ruth cards — #53, #144, #149 and #181 — but only 25 PSA-graded examples include an autograph, including only eight of the #181.
The signed Ruth card is one of more than 300 lots across all sports in PWCC’s June Premier Auction, which concludes with extended bidding on June 16.
Other premier cards include: a Luka Doncic National Treasures Emerald rookie patch auto card; a Lionel Messi rookie card; a 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson graded PSA 8; an O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie graded PSA 9 and including a Silver sticker from MBA; and the highest graded 2018 Bowman Shoehi Ohtani Red Refractor auto card.
The 2018-19 National Treasures Emerald #127 Luka Doncic RPA is numbered /5 and marks the public auction debut of the Emerald variation.
According to PWCC, the last time an Emerald copy traded hands was in a private sale for $1 million in August 2021. Variations of the card numbered to 99 routinely sell for six figures, with the record set in PWCC’s December Premier when it sold for $780,000.
Doncic is coming off another stellar season, averaging 28.4 points and 9.1 rebounds to lead the Dallas Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals. His performance continues to lead to a rise in the value of his trading cards.
“He’s 23 years old and he just scored 40 points in a playoff game for the seventh time,” said Jesse Craig, director of business development at PWCC. “The stats are all there. He appears to be improving every year. The question now is if he can win a ring. If he leads Dallas to a championship – or to multiple championships – the demand for his assets is likely to keep going up. To find this card, in this low of quantity, right now is an incredible opportunity.”
The 2004 Panini Sports Mega Cracks Lionel Messi Rookie #71 PSA 10 is Messi’s most popular card and is extremely rare with only 20 PSA PSA 10 examples in existence.
The 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson #312 PSA 8 is also designated PWCC-E for eye appeal (Excellent-Top 15%).
The 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Shohei Ohtani Rookie Auto /5 PSA 9 is one of Ohtani’s most valuable Bowman autographed rookie cards. According to PWCC, the card was re-made by Topps and signed by Ohtani after the original was damaged when pulled. A 1-of-5, it is the highest PSA graded example in existence.
