Auction Item Details
Lot 968
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Lot Number: 968
Description: Significant 1919 Babe Ruth autographed baseball. Toned B.Johnson A.L. baseball signed just to the left of the sweet spot, "Babe Ruth Sep.6/19 Boston Red Sox". Signature and salutation rate 8 out of 10 with only a slight smudge on "th" in Ruth. Ball was also signed by Red Sox player Jack McInnis on a side panel which rates a 4 out of 10. Owner had Del Ennis and another player sign the ball in 1952 which could be professionally removed as the ball is not clear coated but we felt compelled to offer this extremely rare item in its' original state. The history of this ball can be traced to a New England antique dealer who in the late 1930's purchased a Phila. fluted corner low chest of drawers from an estate only to hear something rolling around in the drawer which he discovered was the offered ball. The chest was sold and the ball was held in the event that he had a son, several years later the ball was presented to his son on his sixth birthday and the ball has remained with him until its' consignment. We know of only a few Babe Ruth autographed baseballs of any type to be signed while on the Red Sox and this newly discovered example is the first that we've encountered with team and date written in Ruth's hand. The story is legendary and for the sake of Red Sox fans we will just briefly state that Ruth was sold after the 1919 season to the NY Yankees and what more needs to be stated. The offered ball represents quite possibly one of the last auto. balls that Ruth signed while on the Red Sox that remains today. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from the consignor: Ball: VG/EX-EX, Signature: EX-EX/MT
Estimated Price: $10,000.00-$15,000.00
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