(LOT 6)
Babe Ruth Signed Yankee Payroll Check – Includes Signatures from Ed Barrow & Jacob Ruppert - Dated June 30, 1930 – PSA/DNA Authentication & Encapsulation
One of the foremost signed Babe Ruth collectibles is an endorsed payroll check that typically was issued to the illustrious Bambino on a bi-monthly basis. Unlike the myriad of standard Babe Ruth written checks from his own checking account, an actual New York Yankees payroll check issued to Ruth as a prorate of his annual salary are few and far between, as well as significantly more valuable. Presented here just happens to be one of those ultra-scarce Babe Ruth payroll checks, a magnificent June 30, 1930 keepsake that accounts for Ruth's Yankees salary from June 16th – June 30th.

Payable to "George H. Ruth" in the amount of $7,299.36, in typical fashion it has been signed by legendary Yankees team Owner/President Colonel Jacob Ruppert in the lower right section as well as General Manager Ed Barrow in the ''Counter-signed" left region. Like all N.Y. Yankees payroll checks, the salary will be drawn from the Manufacturing Trust Company, with the verso revealing the hallowed "George H. Ruth" endorsement signature penned in standard black ink. The regal-like Ruth autograph stands at roughly "8" strength, and while the banks cancellation holes were placed within the area of the "George H." text, the "Ruth" portion of the script remains unscathed. Overall, the entire signature still emulates superb eye appeal, with a detailed breakdown of the final $7,299.36 payable amount typed directly above Ruth's script.

It appears that the Yankees deducted $45.95 from the original $7,345.31 salary for Hotel related expenses incurred by Claire Ruth in St. Louis and Cleveland. Of interesting note, a majority of Ruth's checks (both from his own checking account as well as his payroll checks) are signed "G.H. Ruth", with this monumental offering providing an ultra-obscure "George H. Ruth" script. The overall condition of the check is outstanding, atypically eluding any of the standard tears or heavy creases commonly evident on these highly coveted thin-stock treasures. Interestingly enough, when Ruth's contract expired after the 1929 season, "The Babe" would sign his iconic 1930/1931 two-year contract for a record $80,000 per year.

Who could ever forget reporters questioning him about the fact that he was now making more money than the American President, Herbert Hoover. In typical Ruthian fashion, he quickly responded: "I had a better year than the President!", a comment prompted by the fact that America was buried in an epic depression during Herbert Hoover's tenure. Indeed, in 1929 the "Sultan of Swat" did have a better year than the American President, and he would certainly back up his extraordinary salary demands for the 1930 season; belting 49 homers, knocking in 153 runs, posting a .359 batting average and compiling a nearly incomprehensible 1.225 OPS. These world-class numbers substantiated the notion that Ruth had entered the 1930's with his unparalleled batting prowess completely intact, and this extremely rare June 30, 1930 payroll check surly stands as a grand testament for his highly celebrated and likewise merited $80,000 salary demand!

MIN BID $5,000
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