(LOT 617)
Classic 1927 Babe Ruth Portrait Image - Original Type I Underwood & Underwood Photo – Measures Approx. 8" x 9-3/4" – PSA Type I Encapsulation
We have handled many Babe Ruth photos over the past several years, providing the collecting community with a vast array of treasured illustrations depicting the 'Sultan of Swat" during his magical Yankee seasons. That said, presented here just happens to be one of the most awe-inspiring and breathtaking images of the exalted Bambino, a classic head-shot taken by renowned Underwood & Underwood New Service during the iconic 1927 campaign. Indeed, one look at this truly captivating image send a chill through one's spine, for it reflects the foremost stoic pose of baseball's greatest all-time player. Staring at this "timeless" masterpiece conjures up memories of that remarkable 1927 season when the Yankees claimed a stranglehold on first place on opening day and held that position throughout their entire 154 game schedule.

That would be the year the "Sultan of Swat" would clout an extraordinary 60 round-trippers, breaking his own 59 mark and forever staking claim to the baseball immortality. You can literally feel Ruth's intensity, as he gazes into an unknown future that would ultimately result in the Colossal slugger recording 714 lifetime homers, a record that stood for nearly 40 years until Henry Aaron surpassed his mark in 1974. This 8" x 9-3/4" black & white marvel also includes an almost eerie shadow cast around the right side of his face and chin, an additional fascinating feature that can easily lures the photo's fortunate viewers into a virtual trance. Other than some negligible wrinkles barely visible too the naked eye, no obtrusive flaws are evident, and the verso includes several notations and the popular "Bettmann Archive Inc." caption. To reiterate, of the myriad of Ruth photos available in the hobby, we cannot imagine a more compelling image that fully captures the "Babe's" majestic persona via a simple portrait pose!

MIN BID $1,000
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