1931 New York Yankees Team-Signed Ball with Ruth and Gehrig

Sold For:

$8,813

Year:

1931

Auction:

2010 Spring

Lot #:

999

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Official American League (Barnard) ball signed in black fountain pen by the following twenty-one members of the 1931 New York Yankees: Babe Ruth (sweet spot, grading "8"), Gehrig ("7"), Lazzeri, Ruffing, Gomez, Sewell, Dickey, Combs, Byrd, Jorgens, Perkins, Chapman, Lary, Johnson, Hoag, Wells, Reese, Cooke, Pipgras, Weaver, and Rhodes. This is an outstanding example of a Yankees team ball including Ruth and Gehrig that will always be recognized as one of memorabilia collecting's great classics. The majority of the signatures are uniform in grade, averaging a strong "7," with just a few lighter examples (Gomez, Wells, Jorgens, and Byrd). The 1931 Yankees club boasted an incredible nine future Hall of Famers on its roster, eight of whom are featured here on this ball (only Pennock is absent). The ball displays moderate toning (which we think gives the ball character), and all of the manufacturer's labels remain distinctly legible. In Very Good condition overall. This is an outstanding mid-grade 1930s Yankees ball, ideal for display, featuring better-than-average signature examples of both Ruth and Gehrig. LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $1,000. Estimate $2,000/$4,000. SOLD FOR $8,813