Rare Babe Ruth 1914 Orioles Photo Set for Auction

The only known original team photograph featuring Babe Ruth from his short tenure with the 1914 Baltimore Orioles is scheduled for auction this weekend. This historically significant image, captured when Ruth was a 19-year-old pitcher, stands out for being the first recorded photograph of him as a professional player, according to Jordan Gilroy, director of acquisitions at Lelands, the auction house managing the sale.

“It is the single most important and historic Babe Ruth photograph that has ever existed, well, that has been offered publicly in an auction setting,” stated Gilroy. The photo, which previously sold for a world-record price of $190,000 in a 2019 auction facilitated by Lelands, is now expected to fetch beyond $200,000 as it goes under the hammer once more.

Very few images of Ruth from this period exist as Ruth played for the Orioles, then a minor-league team in the International League, for only three months. At the time of the photograph, Ruth was paid $100 per month for his pitching talents. In this rare image, Ruth is visible on the far right, smiling and leaning against a teammate.

The photograph is predicted to attract considerable interest among collectors, despite minor imperfections such as two small chips and scratches, along with a nick on Ruth’s arm. The auction house has declared the item in excellent condition, owing to its rarity and historical significance, marking an iconic moment in baseball history.

Previously hidden in a collection belonging to a former Baltimore International League player, the photo became publicly known in the 1990s. It first appeared at auction in 2019 when the buyer paid an impressive $190,373 for it. After five years, the buyer has decided to part with this piece of baseball memorabilia.

Auction items associated with Ruth tend to command high prices. Recently, two of Ruth’s rookie cards were sold at auction for significant amounts: a 1916 card from his time with the Boston Red Sox sold for $630,000, and another card from the 1914 Orioles season fetched an astonishing $7.2 million. Additionally, a piece of Ruth’s memorabilia was sold for over $24 million this summer, highlighting the enduring appeal of the legendary baseball player.