(LOT 625)
Early 1920’s Yankee Babe Ruth artifacts continue to rise in value, with these highly-coveted keepsakes highly sought after by the hobby’s elite enthusiasts.  The Yankee’s significant interest in the young and flamboyant slugger can be traced back to the 1919 season when the Red Sox realized Ruth’s unparalleled batting skills necessitated his appearance on a baseball field nearly every game, and not just as a starting pitcher.  The “Bambino” responded by walloping 29 home runs in 130 games (while appearing in only 17 games as a pitcher).  It was now obvious that this brash young superstar hurler had so much more to offer than his left arm, with his 29 round-trippers easily setting a then single-season record.  Unfortunately for Boston, Ruth would not continue his batting exploits with the Red Sox since he was sold to the Yankees by Harry Frazee to fund his “No, No, Nanette” theatre production before the start of the 1920 season.  Babe Ruth’s new home was now the New York Polo Grounds (Yankee Stadium wasn’t open until 1923), and he didn’t disappoint his new fan base, slugging an unheard of 54 and 59 home runs in his first two seasons with the Yankees! Not only did Ruth double his previous record of 29 dingers, he was out-homering virtually every major-league ball club!  Artifacts from Ruth’s early Yankee playing days are few and far between, justifying why this 1922 George Grantham Bain Original Type I photo is an extraordinary link to Ruth’s Yankee origin.  Measuring approximately 5” x 7”, this iconic image is accompanied by a full PSA Type I letter of authenticity, clearly stating renowned photographer George Grantham Bain issued this hallowed image. Ruth’s crystal clear black & white image is absolutely remarkable, as the “Sultan of Swat” dons his classic Yankee pinstripes while holding his majestic lumber. Taken on September 26, 1922 (date appears on verso’s caption), little did Ruth realize he was embarking on a career that would place him at the top of virtually every historians list as the greatest player to ever grace a ball-field.  No glaring surface flaws are evident on either side, with a modest chip near the lower left corner and some toning along the left border.  The reverse side includes the classic “CULVER PICTURES INC.” stamp evident on many Bain images since the remaining Bain photos not originally captured by the “Library of Congress” were captured by Culver Pictures (note that PSA has identified the critical “Bain News Service” stamp underneath the Culver label via heavy magnification).  Babe Ruth mementos from his Red Sox and early 1920’s period with New York arguably reside as the most desirable collectibles in the hobby, and this sensational George Grantham Bain illustration of a youthful looking “Bambino” is the perfect memento for any world-class collector since it literally transcends time to Ruth’s early Yankee playing days! 

MIN BID $1,000