Auction Item Details
Lot 271
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Lot Number: 271
Description: Exceptional and rare 1919 Babe Ruth autographed -Boston Red Sox+ inscribed baseball. Reach B.Johnson red and blue stitched Official American League baseball has been signed just off the sweet spot, -Babe Ruth+ and further inscribed in his hand -Sep 6/19 Boston Red Sox.+ The signature, done in period fountain pen, rates 7-7/8 out of 10. In addition, teammate Stuffy McInnis (-Jack McInnis, Red Sox+) has signed a side panel, likewise in fountain pen rating a now faded 4-4/5. The ball itself displays general soiling with some light/mild usage wear. The Red Sox were in Philadelphia to play a doubleheader against the Athletics on the date noted and won both games with Ruth batting cleanup. It was a breakout season for The Babe and among the most important of the 20th Century. Fueled by his desire to play full time, the Red Sox shifted Ruth from the pitcher+s mound to the outfield and, now able to make a full slate of plate appearances, he single handedly ushered in the era of the homerun setting a new record. By seasons+ end he was a National sensation and packing the stands at Fenway Park. It would, however, be his final season in Boston and in one of the most ill fated decisions in the history of organized sport, team owner Harry Frazee, under financial duress, sold his contract to the New York Yankees in December of 1919. Some years later, for an unknown occasion, this ball resurfaced in the Philadelphia area and was signed by Phillies player Del Ennis (ink, 7/8, with what appears to be a 1952 date written below) and Coach Bennie Bengough (5/6) (an additional sig. is faded/undecipherable). The offered baseball numbers as one of a scant few surviving documented and authenticated exemplars dating to Ruth+s Red Sox playing career and may well be the finest of the group with note to the handwritten team notation. The ball was originally discovered in a chest of drawers in New England in 1938. An incredible scarcity and one of the finest Ruth signed baseballs we have handled in our 24 year company history. Includes full LOA from JSA and letter of provenance from the original recipient: Ball VG-EX, Ruth sig. EX/MT-NMEstimated Price Range: ($15,000-$30,000)
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