Best-In-Class
1915 Babe Ruth Rookie Photo by G.T. Murray Studios, PSA/DNA Type I. ...
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Description
1915 Babe Ruth Rookie Photo by G.T. Murray Studios, PSA/DNA Type I
Best-In-Class Expert Analysis/Summary:
Of all the categories of Type I photos, debuts and rookie-season images remain among the most popular with collectors. As with other collectibles like cards, jerseys, and tickets, there is something about capturing a player at the beginning, before they became an established star. In 1915, Babe Ruth was just getting started as a young pitching prospect with the Boston Red Sox, and this photo was snapped long before the "Swat" side of the legend was born. While Ruth did make his debut the previous year, this represented his first full season in the big leagues.
In 1915, Ruth made an immediate impact, going 18-8 with an ERA of 2.44 and 16 complete games. He would get even better in 1916, quickly becoming one of the best pitchers in baseball before the tough decision to transition Ruth to a full-time position in the outfield had to be made a few years later, with the absence of a DH at that time. This rookie photo, taken by G. T. Murray Studios, captures Ruth in a complete follow-through after releasing the ball, a classic pose of the period.
Part of what makes this image so appealing is that, although it is an action shot of Ruth in uniform, his face is crystal clear due to the angle and lighting as he faces the camera. Furthermore, Ruth's full-body image fills the interior. The image is so ideal that it would have made for an outstanding baseball card in its day had it been used. Additionally, the photo retains terrific eye appeal despite some surface creasing along the front, which blends into the background to some extent when viewed at a short distance. From its scarcity to its rookie-season designation to its superb aesthetics, this photo earned our Best-In-Class designation.