1922 W573 Hand Cut Babe Ruth PSA VG-EX 4

1922 W573 Hand Cut Babe Ruth PSA 4 - A Rare and Striking Issue from Ruth’s Prime Years

By 1922, Babe Ruth was the most electrifying figure in American sports, a towering icon who had redefined the power game and revolutionized the popularity of baseball. Coming off back-to-back seasons in which he hit 54 and 59 home runs, Ruth had fully cemented his status as a cultural phenomenon and the undisputed face of the sport. The W573 set, issued in black-and-white strip card format between 1922 and 1923, captured this pivotal era in Ruth’s career—and today stands as one of the more elusive and underappreciated early Ruth issues.

This PSA 4 example presents remarkably well for its grade. The black-and-white photographic image—displaying Ruth in a batting stance—is sharp and detailed, showcasing the clarity and contrast that define high-end W573s. Clean borders, uniform toning, and even hand-cut edges make this specimen a visual standout among similar low-population issues from the strip card era. These cards were hand-separated and often poorly preserved, making well-cut, centered examples in mid-grade condition highly desirable.

The W573 set wasn’t distributed in wax packs or vending machines—it was a promotional release, often given away with candy, periodicals, or in uncut sheets, which adds to both its scarcity and mystique. In a landscape dominated by more familiar Goudey and Topps issues, the W573 stands out for its rawness, rarity, and direct connection to Ruth’s peak years.