This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/17/2017
It has been nearly 70 years since Babe Ruth walked this Earth. As is true with any iconic figure, the more time that passes, the more mythical of a figure The Sultan of Swat becomes. But while time has proven to be an ally to Ruth’s legacy, it has had the reverse effect on one avenue of his life: his autograph. The value of The Bambino’s coveted scripting continues to rise, in part because the number of well-preserved Ruth autographs within the market are few and far between. With Ruth rising to prominence in an era when an autograph was seen merely as a souvenir and not an investment, most of the items he signed were either discarded or kept in not-so-optimal conditions, with the majority of Ruth’s signatures simply fading away over the decades. A willing signer, Ruth granted many an eager enthusiast's request for an autograph. Few of those treasured scripts have survived the test of time and present with a radiance as fine as that of the offered heirloom.
Presented is a vintage baseball graced with Ruth's exceptionally resplendent, black fountain-tip signature. This Reach Official American League baseball (Harridge) is a creamy off-white sphere that hails from 1931-34 based on the stamping. The ball's solid red laces have retained their vibrant hues and the stampings have faded somewhat, but remain quite legible. But with all this, the Babe's flowing and curvaceous signature is undoubtedly the headlining feature here. The rich black fountain pen ink that flowed from Ruth’s pen is nearly as vibrant as the day it was originally penned, and stands as one of the premier examples to surface within the hobby. Throughout the industry, a Ruth-signed ball is a treasure in any case, but the glamorous and immaculate nature of this one is as breathtaking as Ruth's swing itself. The ball itself remains in good condition with even expected toning and some surface rubbing across the leather due to its age. The signature stands as one of the finest we have ever seen! A true investment-grade Ruth relic! Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication.