1988 Diamond Cards Babe Ruth Career Highlights #3 Banzai Beibu Russu
Babe Ruth · Diamond Cards · Insert/Subset Tribute Card
Player
Babe Ruth
Set
1988 Diamond Cards Babe Ruth Career Highlights
Year
1988
Card #
#3
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) - Centering appears slightly heavy to the right; corners show minor white tipping; surface appears clean in photo but susceptible to scratching on black borders.
Category
Insert/Subset Tribute Card
Manufacturer
Diamond Cards
Demand Level
Moderate - Primarily sought by Babe Ruth completesists or those collecting the specific 1988 Diamond set.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $15-25, PSA 9: $35-50, PSA 10: $125-150
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for $1.50 to $4.00 including shipping. PSA 9 copies have moved for $30-45 in recent years. This set was mass-produced during the 'Junk Wax' era, keeping supply high and prices stable.
Description
This 1988 Diamond Cards release features the legendary Babe Ruth in a striking black-and-white 'Career Highlights' design. The card, titled 'Banzai Beibu Russu - The Babe In Japan,' commemorates Ruth's historic 1934 tour of Japan. It depicts Ruth seated in the dugout alongside Japanese players. The card features sharp white text against a deep black border, creating a premium vintage aesthetic for a modern (1980s) tribute card.
Key Features
Features the iconic 1934 Barnstorming tour of Japan; High-contrast black border design; Hall of Fame Subject; Affordable alternative to vintage Ruth issues.
Authenticity Indicators
Glossy 1980s card stock; proper sans-serif font for the 1934 date; Diamond Cards logo should be present on the reverse. Confidence: High (not a high-target card for counterfeiters).
Flaws to Note
The heavy black borders are notorious for showing 'chipping' and edge wear. The right-side border is thinner than the left (off-center). Slight corner softess visible on lower right.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for this specific card using a 'Buy It Now' format. It is also suitable for COMC (Check Out My Cards) for long-term inventory.
Selling Tips
Avoid grading this card unless it is a certain PSA 10, as the grading fees will exceed the value of a PSA 8 or 9. Use high-resolution scans to show the black borders are free of chips. Ship in a penny sleeve and top-loader inside a plain white envelope (PWE) with tracking to keep costs low for the buyer.