LOT #80051 |
Sold on Aug 21, 2021 for: Not Sold
1943-46 Babe Ruth & Mel Ott Dual-Signed Baseball....
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Description
The first 500 Home Run Club member from each league!
1943-46 Babe Ruth & Mel Ott Dual-Signed Baseball. The
specific stamping style of this Official National League baseball
from the presidency of Ford Frick supplies the date range of our
lot title, but we'd be willing to bet that at least Ott's signature
dates to 1945, as he'd become the third member, and the first from
the Senior Circuit, to join the illustrious 500 Home Run Club on
August first of that year. He'd remain the most prolific home run
artist of the National League until another legendary Giant by the
name of Willie Mays cruised past Ott's lifetime tally of 511 in
1966.The man on the sweet spot, of course, was the founding member of the 500 Home Run Club, and as a resident of the Upper West Side of Manhattan he'd often return to the ballpark where he'd gotten his start with the New York Yankees in 1920 back when the two Big Apple ballclubs shared the Polo Grounds. It was likely at that location that each of the signatures that share space upon this ancient orb was acquired.
It's the first dual-signed example we've encountered from this illustrious Big Apple duo, and likely the only one that exists, a fact that makes its spectacular state of preservation feel like overkill. The experts at Beckett assess Ruth's blue ink on the sweet spot at a rather conservative 7/10, while Ott's black ink to the north is an even bolder 9/10. The ball itself is clean and boldly stamped, well deserving of the high-quality autographs--in both esteem and condition--that adorn its surface. Certainly one of the finest early "theme" balls of any kind that we have had the privilege to offer. Full Grading LOA from Beckett (Ruth Auto 7, Ott Auto 9). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication.
Auction Info
2021 August 21 - 22 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction #50045 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
August, 2021
21st-22nd
Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 4
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 993
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.
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