Ruth debuted with the Boston Red Sox in 1916. A number of the cards were made at the time. Ruth, who began his career as a pitcher before transitioning to playing the field full-time, is shown in a pitching stance on the front of the card; an advertisement for a clothing store is on the back. Herpolsheimer's, a "Boys Fashion Shop" based in Grand Rapids, Mich., handed out the Ruth rookie cards in groups of 20 during a 10-week period. Anyone wanting a complete set would have had to go to the store multiple times in order to collect all cards in the set.

An anonymous buyer from Northern California paid $110,612, according to Boston-based RR Auction, which handled the sales. That wasn't the record paid for a Ruth rookie card, however. Earlier this year, an even more rare card from Ruth's first year in the big leagues–and the card was found in an old piano for which the new owner paid $25–sold for more than $130,000.

Also selling at the weekslong auction were a 1952 Topps rookie card for another Yankees great, Mickey Mantle, which sold for $88,800, and a complete 1956 Topps Master card set, for $300,000.