(LOT 24)
Extraordinary 1933 Goudey 14" x 11-3/4 Window Sign/Poster Including #53 Babe Ruth Subject – One of the Finest Known Examples Extant!
The landmark 20th century chewing gum set is the 1933 Goudey 240-subject gathering that was issued by the prestigious Goudey Gum Company of Boston, Mass. Along with the iconic T206 and 1952 Topps issues, it is widely regarded as one of the three most hallowed sets extant, with most advanced vintage enthusiasts actively seeking its most popular players. While individual baseball cards are widely available in large quantities, there are simply no words to describe the excruciating task of locating one of the related advertising window posters issued to retailers to further promote the sale of these chewing gum cardboard collectibles. Few and far between, these sanctified collectibles seldom surface for the taking, and arguably reside as the most coveted of all Goudey related keepsakes. Therefore, it is with our distinct pleasure to present this absolutely extraordinary 24 player paper poster that was most likely issued near the end of the first run of the inaugural Goudey issued 1 – 48 card series.

Measuring approximately 14" x 11-3/4", it portrays pictures of 24 Goudey subjects that would be issued in the next 49 – 96 series, with one of those players being the hallowed #53 yellow Babe Ruth subject! Indeed, residing along the top row next to Tris Speaker stands none other than the unparalleled "Sultan of Swat", with the Goudey Gum Company certainly making an extra effort to promote their on-going landmark bubble-gum card set by placing the most iconic player on this revered poster. Confirming the fact that Goudey chose the Babe Ruth subject as the focal point for their advertising campaign is the bright red banner across the bottom that boldly reads: "NEW PICTURES – WITH BIG LEAGUE CHEWING GUM – Including BABE RUTH". Six subjects are portrayed in four rows on this timeless memento, with the five Cooperstown inductees being Babe Ruth, Tris Speaker, Red Ruffing, Eppa Rixey and Jessie Haines (for convenience purposes, all of the subjects are listed at the end of this description).

Most significant is the fact that this extremely condition sensitive masterpiece presents itself in conservative "EX/MT/NM" condition, and even includes the original factory issued glue at the top and bottom areas for purposes of retailers affixing it to their candy-store windows. Incredibly, the original mailing folds (these posters were delicately folded and shipped to retailers via the mail) are virtually undetectable to the naked eye, with only a barely noticeable diminutive fold situated approximately 1" from the top edge. No manual restoration is evident, and even more remarkable is the fact that all of the sparkling colors have miraculously retained their original rich hues, with the critical Ruth and Speaker images reflecting radiant yellow backgrounds. Professionally matted and framed to its current 19" x 16" dimensions, only a handful of these posters are known to exist, and we cannot imagine any of those other window signs possibly besting the "jaw-dropping" aesthetics of this museum worthy marvel.

How clever it was for the Goudey Gum Company to utilize Babe Ruth's #53 subject along the center top row as a monumental advertising scheme for the set's upcoming series. No player in baseball history could possibly compete with the "Bambino's" colossal diamond exploits and overall charisma, with the Goudey Company surely capitalizing on the presumption that an upcoming Ruth card would encourage a seemingly countless number of young baseball fanatics to flood every possible candy store to purchase Goudey's series#2 wax packs. Due to Ruth's immortal presence, it stands as a baseball card related heirloom reserved for the most elite Goudey enthusiast, meriting the highest hobby accolades via its unequivocal world-class stature!

Listed below are all 24 subjects included on this glorious poster (from left to right) along with their respective Goudey issued checklist #'s: Robert Burke (71), Randy Moore (69), John Sand (85), Babe Ruth/HOF (53), Tris Speaker/HOF (89), Pat Malone (55), Sam Jones (81), Eppa Rixey/HOF (74), Floyd Scott (70), Pete Jablonowski (83), Clyde Manion (80), Dibrell Williams (82), Glenn Spencer (84), Ray Kremer (54), Phil Todt (86), Russell Rollings (88), Earl Clark (57), Jess Petty (90), Frank O'Rourke (87), Jessie Haines/HOF (73), Horace Lisenbee (68), Owen Carroll (72), Tom Zachry (91), Charles "Red" Ruffing/HOF (56).

MIN BID $2,500
_