Auction Item Details
Lot 111
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Lot Number: 111
Description: Highly Important 1934 Babe Ruth Japan-American Grand Baseball Games Champion Hitter presentational trophy. The 1934 American All-Star team was certainly not the first of its type to tour a foreign country in the pursuit of promoting the game of baseball. It was, however, the most significant and heralded tour of its type. Matsutara Shoriki, who owned the prestigious Yomiuri Shinbun Japanese newspaper, organized a Tour that would feature the greatest American professional baseball players against an elite group of Japanese players in an exhibition series. The Tour was a resounding success drawing thousands of Japanese fans into the streets to witness the American players and most certainly the greatest of which was Babe Ruth. Although the Americans dominated the exhibition series winning the vast majority of the games, the Tour was deemed a wonderful success for the Japanese who showcased their talents against the best in the world. Additionally, the political tensions between the United States and Japan were certainly eased in part due to the success of the Tour. Upon his return, manager Connie Mack proclaimed at the New York Sportswriters Dinner "that there would be no war between the United States and Japan." Of course, history would dictate another fate than the one Mack believed. In any event, Babe Ruth clearly tapped into the magic of his legend once again during the Tour. Ruth was 39 years old at the beginning of the Tour and it was evident that his career was nearing its end. However, the throngs of cheering Japanese fans seemingly turned back the clock for the Babe as he belted an astounding 13 home runs during the 18 game series. In large part, Ruth himself was credited with easing U.S. and Japanese tensions and came back to America believing that he may well have averted a conflict between the two countries. On December 7, 1941, Babe Ruth was at his Riverside Drive apartment in New York City when he, like many Americans, received the horrific news that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Babe was utterly devastated...and enraged. As recounted by his wife Claire, Babe became furious upon hearing the news and began throwing various souvenirs and cherished awards he had received during the Japanese Tour of Japan. Porcelain dolls, silk items, and a very significant bronze trophy that had been given by the Japanese to Ruth. Ruth is quoted in his 1947 autobiography, "In my living room on Riverside Drive, I still have the large Japanese vases on which are entered my batting exploits of that visit to Japan. But I broke up some of the other souvenirs one Sunday afternoon in December 1941." Offered is the original presentational trophy vase awarded to Babe Ruth as the leading hitter of the 1934 Tour of Japan. Exceptional quality bronze vase stands 10" tall and weighs 8lbs. with engraved Japanese decor encircling the body. The front of the vase is inscribed, "To Mr. Babe Ruth In Honour of Leading Hitter Japan-American Grand Baseball Games 1934: The Yomiuri Shimbun-Sha". There were a total of three such trophies awarded to the Americans two of which were given to Ruth and the other to Lefty Gomez for pitching (Gomez recounts as much in his biography as well). The trophy retains a beautiful original patina with all inscriptions remaining quite bold. Remarkably, at the base of the back side of the vase there is a small indentation and a more moderately size linear indentation. These were caused by Babe Ruth himself on that fateful date of December 7, 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Appropriately, they were never restored or altered and stand as a haunting reminder of the significance of the Tour, Babe Ruth, and the fragility of the world during the era of World War II. Truly amazing historical artifact with immeasurable import as it relates to the sport of baseball and world relations. Includes letter of provenance from the family, modern copy of Ruth apartment photo match, and a period Japanese newspaper photograph of Babe Ruth which was within the Ruth family scrapbooks: EXEstimated Price Range: ($50,000-$100,000)
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