(LOT 991)
Outstanding 1942 Babe Ruth Signed Pride of the Yankees Vintage Photo – Personalized to Fellow Pride of the Yankees Actor Vernon Rickard - Measures Approx. 5-3/4" x 9-1/2" – Full PSA/DNA LOA
Lou Gehrig's tragic death to the deadly ALS disease on June 2, 1941 inspired Hollywood movie producers to roll up their sleeves in an effort to compile a captivating story of the "Iron Horse" via a blockbuster motion picture. Renowned producer Samuel Goldwyn and director Sam Wood achieved this glorious goal when on July 14, 1942 they released the legendary baseball movie "Pride of the Yankees". Choosing the renowned actor Gary Cooper to play the role of Henry Louis Gehrig and Theresa Wright as his lovely wife Eleanor, this iconic film enthralled our Nation, serving as a steadfast reminder of Gehrig's unequivocal standing in the baseball community.

In extremely clever fashion, Goldwyn and Wood ultimately chose Babe Ruth to play the part of the incomparable 'Sultan of Swat", adding additional notoriety to this classic film. One of the most revered keepsakes from this legendary movie is now presented to you, a sensational 5-3/4" x 9-1/2" original photo of Babe Ruth and actor Vernon Edward Rickard that has been miraculously signed by none other than the immortal "Bambino". Scripted "To My Pal Vernon – From Babe Ruth" in bold black fountain pen and authenticated by PSA/DNA, the complete salutation has been neatly placed directly beneath Ruth's classic Yankee insignia with both players donning the classic Yankee home pinstripe uniforms.

The image was taken during filming in February 1942, with Rickard playing a "bit" role as a fellow Yankee teammate. No doubt, the popular actor was completely fascinated by meeting the illustrious Ruth on the set, asking "The Babe" to sign this seemingly timeless image of Rickard posing with Ruth. While certainly a period photo from 1942, it has been affixed to a cardboard mount, thus voiding the possibility of PSA issuing a Type 1 LOA (due to their strict policy of mounted photos incapable of receiving Type 1 authentication). Most significant, however, is the extremely bold 8/9 strength Babe Ruth inscription that places this offering as a world-class artifact.

Obviously originating from Rickard's personal collection, this lot also includes an additional unsigned "4-1/2" x 6-1/2" snapshot image of Vernon posing with Yankees Hall of Fame catcher Bill Dickey, taken on March 4, 1942 at L.A.'s Wrigley Field (Interestingly enough, this filming site was one of the renowned fields visited by Babe Ruth on his exalted 1924 post-season Barnstorming tour). One of the special surviving heirlooms from this iconic movie, it captures the incomparable Ruth in one of his typical candid moments, once again enthralling one of his avid fans by signing a heartfelt salutation for the star-struck Vernon Rickard! – Full PSA/DNA LOA

MIN BID $500
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