1926/1927 Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Signed Ball

With very few exceptions, autograph collectors have always placed a special premium on single-signed balls. Offered here is a notable exception: an official National League ball signed by baseball"™s greatest slugging tandem, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Ruth"™s signature, which has been scripted in blue fountain pen, sits upon the sweet spot while Gehrig"™s black fountain-pen signature appears on the panel above. The Gehrig signature is the slightly stronger of the two, grading "3/4." The Ruth signature grades "2/3." Despite the fact that both signatures are light, they are each still legible and all of the manufacturer"™s labels remain bold and bright. This ball was produced specifically for use in the Eastern League, as it bears the stamped name of the Eastern League president (not John Heydler) on a side panel. The ball itself dates to the 1926-1934 manufacturing period. However, the fact that Ruth has placed quotation marks around "Babe" indicates that the ball was signed sometime around 1926/1927 (Ruth normally stopped signing in that manner after 1927). The record auction price for a Ruth-Gehrig ball is $98,000, for a pristine example sold in REA's April 2007 sale. This ball presents a far more economical alternative to one of autograph collecting's most desirable and universally recognized classics. The ball displays very light soiling and is in Excellent to Mint condition overall with particularly bold manufactuer's stampings. LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $500. Estimate $1,000/$2,000. SOLD FOR $2,115.00

Spring 2008 - Item detail

1926/1927 Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Signed Ball