A luminary, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a person of prominence or brilliant achievement.” And no one was more, er, “luminarian” than Babe Ruth.
As such, he served as an ideal subject for a 1-of-1 insert card in Topps’ 2022 Luminaries set.
The card in question turned up on eBay and sold in December for $17,600. It bears a well-preserved cut signature from the Bambino along with a slice of a game-used bat. The reverse of the card vouches for the autograph: “Topps certifies the authenticity of the cut signature found in this card.”
However, it also offers a disclaimer regarding the bat sliver, which doesn’t have a connection to Ruth: “The relic contained in this card is not from any specific game, event, or season.”
But let’s be honest: It’s the authenticated signature that matters. To that end, it’s a clean, bold,
