LOT #80006 |
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Early 1940's Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball, PSA/DNA NM-MT+ 8.5....
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Sold on Feb 25, 2017 for:
$180,000.00
Bid Source: Internet bidder
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Description
One of the finest Ruth singles in the hobby!
Early 1940's Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball, PSA/DNA NM-MT+ 8.5. While the superstar slugger's famous and unfailing generosity of spirit ensured that his is the most available of all pre-war sporting legends, the tremendous demand for his essential autograph has nonetheless powered a sustained upward trajectory in auction results throughout the years. Historically, the Babe's signature has been the hobby's safest bet. It has been commonly and properly stated that every great sports memorabilia collection begins with the Babe Ruth single signed baseball.But if Ruth singles appear on the hobby's auction block with some degree of regularity, those projecting the quality of the offered representation most decidedly do not. Our contention that the listed sphere represents the top percentile of all known specimens will be bolstered by any examination of online auction archives where, quite literally, only a handful of challengers for supremacy will be found.
The Babe's blue fountain pen sweet spot signature rates a conservative 9/10 here, applied with the artistry and confidence of a man who remained a faithful servant to autographs collectors for the last three decades of his life. The stamping of the OAL (Harridge) ball may be the boldest we've ever encountered, exuding an almost radioactive glow and bearing a rare addition that speaks to the origins of the special sphere. It rates 7/10 by PSA/DNA's exacting standards, with a half-point added for "eye appeal" to complete the final grade's calculation.
A small "U.S." applied to the eastern panel identifies this as a ball produced by the Reach company for military use. Our consignor's father was a Chief Petty Officer stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during the Second World War, responsible for the physical training of new recruits. It was during this time that the gentleman was invited to Ruth's apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where the aging Bambino generously autographed several balls as gifts for the sailors. The officer kept this particularly fine example for himself.
Three quarters of a century later, this remarkable keepsake aims to rewrite the record books for Ruth horsehide, and to elevate one top hobbyist's collection to a level few others could reach. Letter of provenance from consignor. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.
More information about Babe Ruth Sports Player.
Auction Info
2017 February 25 - 26 Platinum Night Sports Collectibles Catalog Auction - Dallas #7185 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
February, 2017
25th-26th
Saturday-Sunday
Internet/Mail Bids: 24
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 9,757
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20% of the successful bid per lot.
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