While Babe Ruth's 1934 tour of Japan is well documented, both in photographs and written history, Ruth's trip to Hawaii one year earlier is largely forgotten today. Offered here is a rare photograph history of that trip, in the form of nineteen original snapshot photos, plus four other larger photos. All the photographs originate from our consignor's grandfather, who personally invited Ruth to come to Hawaii that winter, and have remained in the family's sole possession until now. 

In 1933, our consignor's grandfather, who was a member of the Waiakea Pirates amateur team,  wrote to Babe Ruth, inviting him to Hawaii to watch the Pirates play. To his surprise, Ruth accepted the invitation and while there he participated in a series of games with the local clubs. As was the custom for visiting dignitaries, Ruth also planted a banyan tree, which is still there today in front of the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. Ruth's planting of that tree, along with his many other activities while in Hawaii, are all documented here, in this collection of photographs taken and saved by our consignor's family in 1933. 

The nineteen snapshot photos, which include four duplicates, capture Ruth both on and off the field. Fifteen picture Ruth in uniform, including five of Ruth in action at the plate either during a game or pregame batting practice. Other images feature Ruth posing with local teams and dignitaries. Of the four larger images (ranging from 6x4.75" to 9.25x7.25) one (picturing Ruth posing with a Hawaiian team) is an original photo, while the other three (two of which do not picture Ruth) are vintage, but may not be original. The nineteen original snapshot photos (3.25x4.25") were once mounted in a family scrapbook and all display mounting remnants affixed to each front corner as well as a family label on the reverse. One snapshot photo of Ruth posing with a local team displays several moderate abrasions, otherwise all are in Excellent condition overall. The four larger photos are in Very Good condition overall, with one displaying mounting remnants on the front.