Check, dated January 30, 1948, signed by Babe Ruth and his wife Claire Ruth on the front, and endorsed by Babe Ruth on the reverse. PSA has encapsulated the check and certified the signatures as "Authentic." Checks signed twice by Ruth, are scarce. The fact that this example features two full-name signatures makes it especially significant. Nearly all the Ruth checks in the hobby feature his typical "G. H. Ruth" signature. His "George Herman Ruth" signature is usually found only on legal documents and All America Baseball Team certificates. This is just the second full-name Ruth check we have ever offered and the only twice-signed full-name Ruth check we have ever seen. 

The offered check required both Ruth's full-name signature and his wife Claire's signature because it was issued on a trust account in both their names. The check, drawn on the Chase National Bank of New York, is made out to "Cash" in the amount of $150.00. Signed in blue fountain pen by "George Herman Ruth" and "Claire Ruth" along the base. Also endorsed on the reverse in blue fountain pen by "George Herman Ruth" and in black fountain pen by "H. G. Alexander." A pencil notation below the endorsements reads "cashed by Mrs. Ruth."  The signatures are all boldly scripted and average 8/10 in grade. This check was signed and issued by Babe and Claire Ruth "As Trustees Under Trust Indenture Dated July 31, 1947," as noted in print along the top border.

It should also be noted that Ruth was quite ill at the time this check was signed, and he died less than eight months later. Because he was physically weak and in and out of the hospital many times over the course of the year, any authentic Ruth signature dating from 1948, let alone a full-name example, is scarce. (Ruth's wife and nurses handled nearly all his mail and honored most of his autograph requests in 1948.) The check (8.5x3.75"), which displays normal bank cancellations (none affecting the signatures), has two vertical creases near the center (one heavy, the other light) and is otherwise in Excellent to Mint condition.