Extraordinary Babe Ruth Single-Signed Baseball

Babe Ruth single-handedly popularized the autographed baseball. In his day, everyone wanted a Ruth-signed ball, and everywhere he went, he was able to spread joy and provide the keepsake of a lifetime in the form of a single-signed ball. There's an old saying that goes "the more things change, the more they stay the same." In terms of Ruth single-signed balls, that adage certainly rings true. A single-signed Babe Ruth ball is as desirable today as it was during the height of his career. It is a classic that transcends the worlds of baseball collecting and popular culture, an icon of the collecting world. Offered here is a Ruth single-signed baseball that undoubtedly ranks among the finest we have ever offered. This particular ball was the cornerstone of our consignor's vast collection and even at a cursory glance one can easily see why. Ruth has flawlessly signed the ball in blue fountain pen across the sweet spot. Every stroke is deliberate and bold, and the signature grades a perfect "10." The ball is an official American League (Harridge) ball, which, based upon the manufacturer's label, dates from the 1940s. We would surmise, based upon the strength of the signature, that it was probably signed in the early 1940s. Ruth passed away in 1948 and was in very poor health during his later years. The signature here, however, shows no evidence of an uneven or weak hand. The ball is lightly toned, with a few tiny areas of soiling (not affecting the presentation of the signature) and all of the manufacturer's labels are light but perfectly legible. A premium Ruth single-signed ball such as this is will always be regarded as a centerpiece and one of the ultimate prizes of all baseball memorabilia. Our consignor has enjoyed this ball for many years and now feels the time has come for it to have a new home. While its final destination is left to fate, one thing we are sure of is the fact it will certainly stand as a highlight of any collection in which it resides. LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $5,000. Estimate $10,000/$20,000. SOLD FOR $16,450.00

Spring 2008 - Item detail

Extraordinary Babe Ruth Single-Signed Baseball