October Legends Closing November 1
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2014
Offered is a Babe Ruth signed example of one of the most famous baseball images of all time which captures both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. This original photo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, issued as a souvenir during their famous 1928 "Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's" barnstorming tour, is signed “Babe Ruth” below his facsimile signature. The 8 x 10-inch photo captures the two stars posing together in their respective tour uniforms and features the facsimile signatures of both Ruth and Gehrig. Unfortunately, Gehrig did not sign this piece. The Ruth signature is bold grading "7/10," in strength, but is slightly affected by a heavy photo crease which vertically transverses the “R” in Ruth, and separates the capital letter.
And we know when and where this photo was signed, as the vintage notation on the bottom border reads "Sept 16 -1928." This photo dates from the second of the two famous postseason barnstorming tours made by Ruth and Gehrig during the years 1927 and 1928. The Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's barnstorming tour was the brainchild of Christy Walsh, who was Ruth and Gehrig's longtime agent. In 1927, Walsh, in order to capitalize on the excitement generated by the duo's season-long home-run duel, arranged to have the pair tour the country right after the World Series. The tour, heralded as "Ruth vs. Gehrig - The Battle For The Home Run Title Continues," began in New York and made its way across the country, ending in California. To insure its success, Walsh wisely scheduled nearly all of the games in cities without Major League clubs, thus providing those fans with a rare opportunity to see the two stars in person. Walsh also arranged it so that Ruth and Gehrig were the only two players traveling to each town. Their respective teams at each venue were made up of local players. The tour was such a huge success that it was repeated again in 1928 with equal fanfare. In addition to the gate revenues, one of the other main sources of income during the tour came from the sale of these special tour photos. These special photos were available for sale on the tour for $1, a very large sum at the time. Ruth and Gehrig, of course, were available at each barnstorming game to personally sign the photos, but we have no salient reason why this image was not signed by Gehrig. This Ruth signed item has been beautifully matted and framed, with archival materials, to total dimensions of 16.5 x 18.5 inches. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.