You’re looking for a Babe Ruth Topps card from 1927? Good luck. You won't find one. Topps didn't start making baseball cards as we know them until 1951, and the "The Sultan of Swat" had already passed away three years before that. He hit his last home run in 1935. This is the first thing that trips up new collectors. When people talk about a babe ruth baseball card topps makes, they are usually talking about one of three things: a reprint, a multi-player card from the 50s, or a modern "chase" card featuring a tiny piece of his game-worn jersey.
It’s a weird niche in the hobby. Usually, the "Grail" cards for Ruth are from his playing days—Goudey, American Caramel, or the legendary Baltimore News. But Topps has spent the last seventy years trying to capture the Babe’s ghost. They’ve done a pretty good job of it. If you’re hunting for these, you've gotta know exactly what era you’re digging into, because a 1962 Topps Ruth is a whole different beast than a 2024 Topps Chrome insert.
The 1962 Topps Babe Ruth Special
The most famous "real" Topps cards featuring the Babe alone came out in 1962. This was a massive year for baseball history. Roger Maris had just broken the single-season home run record in '61, and Topps decided to dedicate a subset of cards (numbers 135 through 144) to the man Maris surpassed. Honestly, these are some of the coolest cards ever printed. They use old black-and-white photos but frame them in that classic wood-grain border that defines the '62 set.
Card #139, titled "Babe Ruth Hits 60th Home Run," is the one everyone wants. It’s not just a card; it’s a history lesson. Then there’s #144, which shows him with Lou Gehrig. People often overlook these because they aren't "playing era" cards. That’s a mistake. While a mint 1933 Goudey Ruth might cost you as much as a suburban house, you can snag a decent 1962 Topps Ruth Special for a few hundred bucks. It’s the most accessible way to own a piece of the Babe’s legacy under the Topps banner.
Condition is everything here. That wood-grain border is a nightmare. It shows every single chip and white speck. If you find one with "sharp corners," you’re looking at a serious investment. Most of these cards were handled by kids who didn't care about PSA grading; they cared about the legend.
The Mystery of the 1952 Topps Card
Wait, didn't I say he died in '48? I did. But if you look at the 1952 Topps set—the most famous set in history—you won't see a Babe Ruth. He’s absent. It’s one of the great "what ifs" of the hobby. Imagine if Sy Berger had included a Ruth memorial card in that high-number series alongside the Mickey Mantle rookie. The price would be astronomical today.
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Instead, we have the "reprints." In the late 80s and throughout the 90s, Topps started re-releasing their old designs. They even created "cards that never were." You’ll see modern cards that look exactly like 1952 Topps cards but feature Babe Ruth. They are beautiful, but don't let a shady eBay seller convince you they are vintage. They are "Archives" or "Heritage" releases.
Why the 1961 Topps #405 Matters
Before the '62 subset, there was the 1961 Topps #405. This card is titled "All-Time Records." It shows Ruth’s 60 homers. It’s a simple, stark card. Collectors love it because it’s the first time the Topps logo and Ruth’s face truly occupied the same space in a significant way. It’s basically the bridge between the golden age of the Yankee dynasty and the modern era of card collecting.
Modern Day Relics and the 1/1 Hunt
If you walk into a card shop today and ask for a babe ruth baseball card topps recently printed, the owner is going to point you toward the high-end stuff. We’re talking Topps Dynasty, Topps Reverence, or Topps Sterling.
These aren't your grandpa's cardboard.
They are thick.
They are encased in plastic.
They often contain a "relic."
A "relic" is a fancy word for a piece of a bat Ruth actually used or a jersey he actually wore. Topps buys these items at auction, sometimes spending six figures on a single uniform, and then they cut it into tiny squares. They glue those squares into the cards. It’s controversial. Some purists hate that historical artifacts are being sliced up. Others love that they can own a literal piece of the Babe.
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If you pull a Babe Ruth "Cut Signature" card from a pack of Topps Tribute, you’ve basically hit the lottery. A cut signature is where Topps takes a real check or document Ruth signed, cuts out the signature, and embeds it in the card. These often sell for $10,000 to $50,000 depending on the year.
Spotting the Fakes and Reprints
You have to be careful. The market is flooded with "reprints" that look old. Some people "age" them by soaking them in tea or scuffing the edges.
- Check the back: Most modern reprints will have a small line of text saying "Topps Archive" or a modern copyright date like 2001 or 2015.
- Feel the cardstock: Old Topps cards from the 60s feel like heavy construction paper. Modern cards are either much glossier or much thicker.
- Look at the dots: If you use a jeweler’s loupe (a little magnifying glass), a real 1962 card will have a distinct "rosette" printing pattern. Many cheap fakes look like they were printed on a home inkjet printer with blurry edges.
There's also the "A&G" factor. Topps Allen & Ginter is a set that comes out every year. It’s based on an 1880s tobacco brand. They put Ruth in there almost every single year. These cards are quirky and fun, but they aren't "vintage." They are just stylized modern cards.
The Investment Angle: Is It Worth It?
Let's talk money. Is a Topps Ruth a good investment? Honestly, it depends on your goal. If you want a "blue chip" asset, you go for the 1916 Sporting News or the 1933 Goudey. But the 1962 Topps subset has shown steady growth for decades.
The beauty of the Babe is that he never goes out of style. He’s the one player even non-baseball fans know. That means there will always be a buyer for a babe ruth baseball card topps produced, whether it's from 1962 or a 2024 "Home Run Challenge" insert.
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The supply of 1960s cards is fixed. They aren't making any more of them. Every time one gets lost in a house fire or thrown away by someone cleaning out an attic, the remaining ones get a little more valuable. Modern 1/1 cards (one-of-one) are also great, but they are subject to the whims of the modern market. If Topps puts out twenty different "one-of-one" Ruth cards in a single year across different brands, does any single one of them stay special? That's the gamble.
How to Start Your Collection
Don't just dive in and buy the first thing you see on a Facebook group.
First, decide if you want "Vintage Topps" or "Modern Topps."
If you want vintage, start with the 1962 #139. It’s the quintessential Ruth card for the Topps brand. Look for a PSA 5 or 6 if you want something that looks nice but doesn't cost a fortune. If you want modern, look at the Topps Heritage "Real One" inserts. They use the old designs and old-school cardboard feel, which gives you the vibe of the 50s without the five-figure price tag.
Secondly, always buy "slabbed" cards if you’re spending more than a hundred bucks. A slabbed card is one that has been graded by a third party like PSA, SGC, or Beckett. It proves the card is authentic and that the condition is what the seller says it is. In the world of Babe Ruth, there are too many scammers to trust a "raw" card from a stranger.
Thirdly, keep an eye on "multi-player" cards. Topps loved putting Ruth on cards with other legends. The 1962 Topps #143 "Greatest Show on Earth" features Ruth and Killer Ty Cobb. It’s a powerhouse card. Sometimes these are cheaper than the solo cards but have twice the legendary "pop."
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors
- Define your budget: You can get a 1962 Topps Ruth for $150 or a 2024 Cut Signature for $25,000. Know your lane before you start browsing.
- Verify the year: If the card says "Topps" but the year is before 1951, it is a reprint or a "fantasy" card. This is the most common mistake beginners make.
- Use a Loupe: Buy a 10x jeweler's loupe. Inspect the printing. If it looks like a series of tiny dots from a printer rather than a lithographic pattern, walk away.
- Check Auction Prices Realized: Don't look at "Asking Prices" on eBay. People can ask whatever they want. Filter your search by "Sold Items" to see what people are actually paying right now.
- Focus on the 1962 Subset: If you want the most "authentic" Topps experience for Ruth, hunt down cards #135 through #144 from the 1962 set. It's the most cohesive tribute Topps ever produced for him.
- Store properly: If you buy a raw card, get it into a "penny sleeve" and a "top loader" immediately. If it's already graded, keep it out of direct sunlight, as those 1960s inks can fade surprisingly fast.
Collectors often get caught up in the "Mantle" craze or the "Trout" hype, but Ruth is the foundation of the entire hobby. Owning a Topps card of his isn't just about the cardboard; it's about owning a piece of the myth. Whether it's a 1962 wood-bordered classic or a modern-day relic with a piece of his Louisville Slugger, it's a connection to the man who saved baseball. Focus on authenticity, prioritize the 1962 series for historical value, and always ensure you're buying from reputable, graded sources to protect your investment.