The Importance of the “Piano” Babe Ruth Rookie Card and the Difference Between the M101-4 and M101-5 Sets

The Piano Babe Ruth Rookie Card – as it has been named – sold for $130,054 (with buyer’s premium). It seems that this RC has become the No. 1 card of Ruth, surpassing his first card, the 1914 Baltimore News card. But Ruth was with the Baltimore Orioles, a minor league team in 1914. Ruth would not appear on a card as a big-league pitcher until 1916. Not unlike modern cards today but rare in pre-war cards, Ruth doesn’t just have one RC in 1916. He has a number of variations due to the number of backs that can be…