Lot # 117: 1924 Babe Ruth Barnstorming - Holding a Girl in a Sailor Suit - PSA Type l Encapsulated Helms Hall Photo – Measures Approx. 8” x 10”

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Rarities Auction 2020",
which ran from 5/6/2020 12:00 PM to
5/30/2020 7:00 PM




(LOT 117)
1924 Babe Ruth Barnstorming - Holding a Girl in a Sailor Suit - PSA Type l Encapsulated Helms Hall Photo – Measures Approx. 8" x 10"

Babe Ruth's hallowed presence on the mighty New York Yankees elevated his stature to uncontested heights in the early 1920's. Capitalizing on his popularity and against Judge Mountain Landis's wishes (MLB's stern commissioner), Ruth's renowned agent Christy Walsh organized a barnstorming tour after the 1924 season that would see both Ruth and teammate Bob Meusel manage two teams that would tour the Western U.S. This was an ultra-special feature for avid baseball fans in the California state who had never had the opportunity of seeing the Bambino play. Major League baseball had yet to realize western expansion, with baseball enthusiasts geographically situated in those far western states only exposed to minor league professional games (e.g., the California Pacific Coast League).

At that point in time, this was the most the Babe's most successful barnstorming tour ever took place that fall. Both his and Meusel's two teams traveled 8,500 miles and played in 15 cities before 125,000 people. They played a single game in each of those 15 cities with Ruth's team winning every game (15-0), and the Babe slugging 17 dingers. Over-anxious fans eagerly awaited the arrival of the sanctified George Herman Ruth to their small towns, with News Service photographers jumping on the bandwagon to take any possible photos of these extraordinary events. One such photo was this exhilarating 8" x 10" Helms Hall Athletic Foundation image offering that just happens to portray the immortal Bambino holding an ecstatic girl donning a period style sailor suit.

Indeed, this ultra-rare memento depicts Ruth in the classic Barnstorming uniform he wore during this 1924 Western U.S. tour, exhibiting magnificent contrast and clarity with the only noteworthy flaws being a lower right corner chip and some stray wrinkles/creases predominately situated along the right border. The flipside includes the HELMS ATHLETIC FOUNDATION credit stamp, the final exclamation point for this grand offering. Anyone can clearly see the excitement of the young girl being literally ''swept off her feet" by the unparalleled Ruth who adored his young fan base arguably more than any player who ever graced a baseball diamond! – PSA Type 1 Encapsulation

MIN BID $300
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