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Lot # 1054: Circa 1927 Babe Ruth "Up Close" Original Photograph from 1922 V89 William Paterson Photoshoot (PSA Type I)

Starting Bid: $2,000.00

Bids: 12 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Fall Classic",
which ran from 10/29/2023 7:00 PM to
11/18/2023 10:00 PM



Displayed is a fascinatingly different Babe Ruth Type I photo, an "Up Close" original News Service image from the 1922 V89 William Paterson card shoot, and a circa 1927 copyrighted photo that is compelling in that it shows Ruth in a serious, pensive demeanor. "I swing big, with everything I've got. I hit big or miss big. I like to live as big as I can," said the Inaugural Baseball Hall of Famer, the Sultan of Swat, and a man who wasn't exaggerating one iota when he stated that he lived big. Boy, did Ruth live big! On and off the field, he was an absolute force of nature. On the way to his 714 lifetime home runs, the astounding Ruth sometimes hit more home runs in one season than the combined totals of several other American League teams. He was constantly in the limelight as he won 12 American League home run titles, and in 1927 set the then-single season home run record of 60. On the road, other Yankee players shared a room, while Ruth had a suite. The suite's bathtub was often filled with ice and liquor, and Ruth's suite became the place for almost nightly parties. At times, Ruth was the most sought-after celebrity in the world, and once, when asked if was right that his yearly salary should be more than that of President Hoover, Ruth replied, "Why not? I had a better year." And yet, with all of his excessive, larger-than-life conduct with parties, women and booze, Ruth also had his quieter, more introspective side, an aspect of Ruth that rarely appears in photographs. It's a young Ruth that appears in the photo. In 1922, when the copyrighted 1927 photo was first shot, Ruth was only 27 years old and in his third season with the Yankees. Instead of the "life of the party" look Ruth exhibits in many photos, here we are fascinated by Ruth's thoughtful, dignified expression. Ruth wasn't able to be first a fantastic pitcher, with a lifetime record of 94-46 and a career ERA of 2.28, and a pitcher who once held the World Series consecutive scoreless innings streak at 29.2, and then transition to an out-of-this-world batter on brute physical attributes alone. On the contrary, Ruth was an intelligent player who, behind all of his bluster, was a real student of the game. That studious side of Ruth is also evident in this terrific Ruth photo. The original Type I photo, measuring 7.3x9.8", has been encapsulated and PSA graded Type I AUTHENTIC. The back of the photo has glue residue, and a Wide World Photo stamp, and an "ERS" stamp, with "10" and 613-3" handwritten in blue pencil. The back also has "Babe Ruth" written in pencil by an unknown hand. The photo does have a few very inconsequential imperfections; there is some tiny paper loss along the far-right side, a few miniscule "scratches," some minor folds, and some loss of the surface image in tiny spots. Despite the aforementioned venial conditions, the stirring, overall effect of the photo is not impacted, and the magnificent photo makes a powerful, totally riveting impression. The offering would be an important addition to any sports collection.

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