Babe Ruth Auction to Benefit Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/6/2016
On June 13, 1948, Yankee Stadium welcomed the return of the Babe for a ceremony to retire his uniform number. The sold-out crowd cheered, the band played "Auld Lang Syne" and the enfeebled hero donned his Yankee pinstripes one last time. While Ruth was receiving a jubilant standing ovation, the Herald Tribune's Nat Fein captured one of the most famous sports photographs of all time: a poignant and unforgettable shot of the immortal No. 3 standing by home plate during the National Anthem. This 8" x 10" Type I example of the haunting image features the stamped notation, "Photo by Nat Fein, Staff Photographer, New York Herald Tribune," on its back. Titled "The Babe Bows Out," the photo was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for photography in 1949. Its long-standing admiration in the realms of sport and photography is affirmed by the fact that the image is featured in both the Baseball Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian Institute. The Bambino's Yankee Stadium tribute was the consummation of his incredible life and legacy. Sadly, Ruth was terminally ill at the time of this event, and he passed away a mere two months later. Fein (1914-2000) has signed and inscribed the photo in the lower-right corner. Matted and beautifully framed in a display of the highest quality. The piece is accompanied by a detailed LOA from the Curator/Administrator of the Nat Fein Estate. Also comes with a PSA/DNA LOA for the autograph, and a separate LOA from PSA/DNA with the important 'Type I' photo designation. Goldin Auctions will be donating 5% of the winning bid price of this lot and all lots in this auction to the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum.
Please note this photo is PSA/DNA Authenticated as Type I and will come with their LOA