1948 Leaf Babe Ruth Help

BostonNut · 03-10-2026, 05:42 PM

First off, keep in mind I know nothing about vintage or grading.

I came across this through family connections.

I guess my two questions are, what should I look for to determine if it is real or a reprint, and if real which grading company is best for vintage? Thank you!

Boo · 03-10-2026, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonNut

First off, keep in mind I know nothing about vintage or grading.

I came across this through family connections.

I guess my two questions are, what should I look for to determine if it is real or a reprint, and if real which grading company is best for vintage? Thank you!

]

Could have left it at that.

Is it yours or are you just going to handle grading and selling it?

BostonNut · 03-10-2026, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo

Could have left it at that.

Is it yours or are you just going to handle grading and selling it?

BIL's father is selling his mother's house. BIL ended up with a box of sports stuff and gave it to me and this was in it. Plan on surprising the father with a nice surprise.

mjohnatgt · 03-10-2026, 06:22 PM

Counterfeit dipped in tea and baked to cause that craquelure/crazing to look like wear. Real cards don't look like that, and aren't centered 50/50 both ways. Also the peeling paper at the corners is white.

BostonNut · 03-10-2026, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjohnatgt

Counterfeit dipped in tea and baked to cause that craquelure/crazing to look like wear. Real cards don't look like that, and aren't centered 50/50 both ways. Also the peeling paper at the corners is white.

Ah well. Thanks, the centering did have me worried.

frenchquarter · 03-12-2026, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Ah well. Thanks, the centering did have me worried.

The centering had you worried? That is funny.

interestingcool · Today, 09:53 AM

That is the fakiest fake card ever faked.

BostonNut · Today, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchquarter

The centering had you worried? That is funny.

I don’t do vintage but even I know nothing was cut that good.

discodanman45 · Today, 11:58 AM

For everyone entering vintage be extremely skeptical of any ungraded Ruth, 52/53 Mantle, 1961 Fleer Wilt, or any other key card. If you are buying an Al Kaline, it is real. 99% of fake cards can be counted on two hands. With fake slabs out there, I would also only buy cards that are imaged with cert #'s. For vintage, that is the best security feature since all vintage cards are unique.

03-10-2026, 05:42 PM	#1
BostonNut Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 63,172	1948 Leaf Babe Ruth Help First off, keep in mind I know nothing about vintage or grading. I came across this through family connections. I guess my two questions are, what should I look for to determine if it is real or a reprint, and if real which grading company is best for vintage? Thank you! __________________ "It's true that whenever rectal issues come to mind thoughts of you aren't far behind" - HairySas September 4, 2025 "GD it. I am a doofus." - majestik101 October 16, 2025 “This is the baseball section, NN ” - Bosoxfan5990 November 25, 2025

Today, 11:58 AM	#9
discodanman45 Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: CA Posts: 10,004 danch27	For everyone entering vintage be extremely skeptical of any ungraded Ruth, 52/53 Mantle, 1961 Fleer Wilt, or any other key card. If you are buying an Al Kaline, it is real. 99% of fake cards can be counted on two hands. With fake slabs out there, I would also only buy cards that are imaged with cert #'s. For vintage, that is the best security feature since all vintage cards are unique. __________________ Always looking for rarer Rik Smits cards and cards from the 2014-15 Spectra Global Icons set. Send me a message!

03-10-2026, 06:22 PM	#4
mjohnatgt Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Niceville, FL Posts: 14,853 mjohnatgt mjohnatgt	Counterfeit dipped in tea and baked to cause that craquelure/crazing to look like wear. Real cards don't look like that, and aren't centered 50/50 both ways. Also the peeling paper at the corners is white.

Today, 09:53 AM	#7
interestingcool Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 335	That is the fakiest fake card ever faked.