Fall 2017 - Item detail
Outstanding Babe Ruth Single-Signed Ball - Full PSA/DNA and JSA LOAs
- Sold For:
- $22,800
- Year:
- 1947
- Auction:
- 2017 Fall
- Lot #:
- 1571
- Category:
- Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos
Exceptional Babe Ruth single-signed ball dating from 1947. Ruth has beautifully signed the official American League (Harridge) ball in blue fountain across the sweet spot, with the signature grading "8/9." This ball comes with a unique history. According to the original owner, Ed Thatcher, he acquired it at a 1947 American Legion All-Star game. In his accompanying one-page typed-signed letter of provenance, dated June 28, 2011, Thatcher details its history. In full:
During the summer of 1947, on August 5th, I was selected to play in an American Legion All-Star Game at the Old Victory Field in Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of the Triple "A" Indianapolis Indians. Babe Ruth's health was deteriorating and his financial status greatly diminished. He was a shell of a man and very thin. The American Legion commissioned him to be their baseball representative. One of the policeman responsible for escorting and guarding Mr. Ruth was Ed Marcum, a friend of my father's. My Dad was at the game and asked Mr. Marcum if he could get an autographed ball and Mr. Ruth obliged.
Also accompanying the ball is a copy of a photo picturing Ruth posing with some kids at the Legion All-Star Game in Indianapolis on August 5, 1947. In further confirmation of Thatcher's remembrance, the ball's stampings date it to the narrow 2-year manufacturing period 1946-1947. As noted in the letter, Ruth was in very poor health at the time (he died just one year later), and wasn't physically able to handle the many autograph requests he received on a daily basis. As such, most of the Ruth autographs obtained by collectors through the mail in 1947 and 1948 were actually signed by his wife, secretary, or nurse. It was only during one of Ruth's rare public appearances that fans were lucky enough to get a ball such as this signed by the legendary "Sultan of Swat." The ball displays light toning and the manufacturer's stampings are light, but legible; otherwise it remains in Excellent to Mint condition and represents an outstanding high-grade Ruth single. Full LOAs from PSA/DNA and James Spence/JSA. Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open).
During the summer of 1947, on August 5th, I was selected to play in an American Legion All-Star Game at the Old Victory Field in Indianapolis, Indiana, the home of the Triple "A" Indianapolis Indians. Babe Ruth's health was deteriorating and his financial status greatly diminished. He was a shell of a man and very thin. The American Legion commissioned him to be their baseball representative. One of the policeman responsible for escorting and guarding Mr. Ruth was Ed Marcum, a friend of my father's. My Dad was at the game and asked Mr. Marcum if he could get an autographed ball and Mr. Ruth obliged.
Also accompanying the ball is a copy of a photo picturing Ruth posing with some kids at the Legion All-Star Game in Indianapolis on August 5, 1947. In further confirmation of Thatcher's remembrance, the ball's stampings date it to the narrow 2-year manufacturing period 1946-1947. As noted in the letter, Ruth was in very poor health at the time (he died just one year later), and wasn't physically able to handle the many autograph requests he received on a daily basis. As such, most of the Ruth autographs obtained by collectors through the mail in 1947 and 1948 were actually signed by his wife, secretary, or nurse. It was only during one of Ruth's rare public appearances that fans were lucky enough to get a ball such as this signed by the legendary "Sultan of Swat." The ball displays light toning and the manufacturer's stampings are light, but legible; otherwise it remains in Excellent to Mint condition and represents an outstanding high-grade Ruth single. Full LOAs from PSA/DNA and James Spence/JSA. Reserve $5,000. Estimate (open).