LOT 1 - 1924 Yankees Team Signed Official A.L. Ban Johnson Baseball w/24 Signatures & Original Box

Includes an Extremely Bold Rookie Lou Gehrig & "Babe" Ruth Scripts – Arguably the FINEST Early 1920's Yankees Team Signed Ball Extant – Full PSA/DNA LOA

1924 Yankees Team Signed Official A.L. Ban Johnson Baseball w/24 Signatures & Original Box

Fresh off the heels of their inaugural 1923 World Championship in the new Yankee Stadium dubbed 'The House That Ruth Built", the New York Yankees opened the 1924 season with high hopes. Unfortunately, their formidable 89-63 record would not be enough to best the Washington Senators who would go on to win their first World Series. The 1924 campaign would once again see the "Sultan of Swat" continue his sheer domination of American League hurlers, blasting 46 dingers, batting in 124 runs, posting a .378 batting average as well as an unfathomable 1.252 OPS!

More significantly however, was the future potential seen from a powerful young rookie 1st baseman named Henry Louis Gehrig, who had played in a handful of games as a pinch hitter in 1923. Still "wet behind the ears", the 21-year old Gehrig would see action in only 10 games during the 1924 campaign, posting a meager 13 plate appearance (mostly as a pinch hitter), with his '23/'24 two-year tally of plate appearances now standing at a paltry 42.

Gehrig's official "full" rookie season would not be until 1925, when the then 22-year old masher would post nearly 500 plate appearances to the tune of 20 home runs and a stellar .295 batting average. Now considered one of the game's fearsome sluggers, for the next 13 seasons, Gehrig would embark on one of the most formidable all-time batting careers. Unfortunately, from a collecting perspective, there are few and far between artifacts representing Gehrig's early Yankee playing days; most likely due to his extremely limited playing time those first two seasons.

It is that notion that places this extraordinary 1924 New York Yankee team signed baseball at an unprecedented level among "rookie era" Gehrig collectibles. Scripted on a well-preserved Official American League Ban Johnson blue/red stitched baseball are 24 signatures from this mighty ball club, with both the "Babe" Ruth and Lou Gehrig autographs presenting themselves in solid "NM/MT 8" condition.

While we would never want to diminish the significance of any pre-1925 "Babe" Ruth bold signature affixed to the "sweet spot", of even greater importance is the likewise bold Lou Gehrig script residing on the "west panel", for it truly stands as one of the earliest Lou Gehrig signatures on any baseball or artifact for that manner. Furthermore, of the mere handful of '23/'24 Gehrig signed baseballs, this particular offering easily reveals the finest Lou Gehrig autograph imaginable, with the bold black fountain pen script retaining a majority of its original attributes.

There simply aren't enough adjectives to define the unparalleled reverence of this museum worthy masterpiece that includes the ultra-rare Gehrig rookie autograph. Since Gehrig played in only 13 games and spent most of the season with the Yankee's Hartford minor league club, there was a limited window of time for the "Iron Horse" to sign any team ball, let alone one that has been preserved so amazingly well in its partial Reach baseball box (likewise included in this lot). Along with the Ruth and Rookie Gehrig bold signatures are 22 different 1924 Yankees scripts, with the two additional Hall of Famers including Herb Pennock and Waite Hoyt.

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Further stars/notables include Bob Shawkey, Bob Meusel, Wally Pipp (ironically, who Gehrig eventually replaced at 1st base), George Pipgras, Everett Scott, Harvey Hendrick, and Joe Dugan, just to mention a few. Incredibly, almost all of the black fountain pen signatures present themselves in "7/8" conservative strength, with the baseball likewise retaining a majority of its original factory issued attributes. Negligible toning to the horsehide surface, tight blue/red stitching, bold "Official American League" and Ban Johnson" original stamps, and no glaring flaws add up to a ball that exhibits ultra-desirable "6/7" aesthetics.

It should also be note that the awe-inspiring "Babe" Ruth signature on the sweet spot includes the period-style quotes in the front and back of his hallowed "Babe" name. Yet, once again, we need to remind you that this is one case where the "Lou Gehrig" rookie-era signature takes full precedence over the Bambino's script. Near-impossible to locate in this outstanding condition, it transcends time to an era when the incomparable "Iron Horse" was embarking on what would ultimately become one of the greatest careers in baseball history. His legacy can be traced back to his Columbia University playing days where Gehrig dominated as both a standout pitcher and slugging first baseman.

Catching the attention of renowned New York Yankee scout Paul Krichell, on April 28, 1923 Gehrg hit one of the longest home runs ever seen at Columbia's South Field; a mammoth 450-foot blast that sailed completely out of the ball park! One of many Lou Gehrig wallops, it was that particular round tripper that "sealed the deal" for Krichell as the prominent scout signed Gehrig to a Yankee contract only two days later. The rest of the story is history, right up to the day when he pulled himself out of the Yankee lineup on May 2, 1939 due to his tragic bout with the deadly ALS disease that would eventually claim his life at the tender age of 37 (June 2, 1941).

An added feature of this remarkable keepsake is the baseball's early provenance, having originated from ex-major league twirler and umpire Ed Rommel who tallied 171 lifetime wins for the Athletics. One of Rommel's favorite pastimes was collecting MLB signed artifacts including team scripted baseballs, photographs, cuts, etc., and considering his connection with virtually every MLB star as both a player and umpire, he built an extensive autograph compilation. No doubt, one of his most coveted and valuable heirlooms is this esteemed 1924 Yankee baseball sporting the finest Lou Gehrig rookie era signature on any ball.

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Its unequivocal standing is justified by the fact it sold publicly for over $70K a little over a year ago, a figure we consider an absolute bargain considering it resides as arguably the premier pre-1925 Yankees team signed Official A.L. Baseball (including breathtaking autographs for both "Babe" Ruth and a rookie Lou Gehrig).

True, there are a few other 1923/1924 Yankee team signed baseballs in existence, but as previously stated, the overall condition of both the Ruth and Gehrig scripts pales in comparison versus this pinnacle offering. With that in mind, now is your golden opportunity to once again make a serious run at this majestic offering that boasts the undisputed finest Lou Gehrig rookie-era script on any horsehide sphere!

A complete list of the signatures and their designated position on this Official A.L. Ban Johnson baseball:

  • SWEET SPOT: "Babe" Ruth/HOF;
  • WEST PANEL: Mike McNally, Harvey Hendrick, Waite Hoyt/HOF, George Pipgras, Joe Bush, Al Mamaux, Lou Gehrig/HOF/Rookie, Milt Gaston
  • EAST PANEL: Joe Dugan, Whitey Witt, Ernie Johnson, Shags Horan
  • NORTH PANEL: Bob Meusel, Wally Pipp, Wally Schang, Everett Scott, Bennie Bengough, Walter Beall
  • SOUTH PANEL: Sam Jones, Lefty Gardner, Herb Pennock/HOF, Aaron Ward, Bob Shawkey