(LOT 146)
Extremely Rare c.1927 Babe Ruth & Snookums/Lawrence "Sunny Jim" McKeen Postcard (SGC VG 3) & Matching 1927 Type 1 PSA Encapsulated 7" x 9-1/2" Photo – "1 of 1" & Highest Graded – Only 4 Other Encapsulated SGC Examples!
It is no secret that the "Sultan of Swat" capitalized on his unparalleled popularity throughout his career, engaging in an infinite-like marketing endorsements, movies and barnstorming tours. Indeed, Ruth was not only the toast of the "Big Apple", but the renowned superstar of an adoring Nation. One of the movie corporations Ruth got involved with was the legendary Universal Studios in the mid-1920's leading to this remarkable SGC "VG 3" c.1927 yellow-tinted arcade card of him holding "Baby Snookums!" One of only 5 known examples and the SOLE/HIGHEST GRADED example of all five, this ultra-rare offering is incredibly accompanied by an original PSA Type 1 Photo depicting the EXACT image of the postcard sized offering. While there are a handful of known Ruth & Snookums Arcade cards, the matching photo used to create this nebulous card is the only such PSA Type 1 image we have ever seen.

Nicknamed "The Little Angel from Hollywood", "Baby Snookums" full name was Lawrence Sunny McKeen, born on September 1, 1924. He was one of the first child movie actors, working for Universal Studios from 1926 thru 1931 and receiving the iconic "Snookums" nickname in America while being noted as "Chuca Chuca" in Brazil. Extremely popular like Ruth with both legends under contract at Universal Studios, it comes as little surprise these two Hollywood celebrities would ultimately meet, prompting the Type 1 photo taken in the circa 1926/1927 era that would eventually be the basis for this miraculous arcade/exhibit card. Sadly for "Baby Snookums", his booming acting career would not last long, tragically cut short when McKeen suddenly died on April 2, 1933 at the tender age of 8 due to an unforeseen battle with blood poisoning. Bitter-sweet to say the least, fortunately for "Snookums" his legacy will forever live on in the sports collecting world via this ultra-rare arcade card and matching Type 1 photo depicting the baby actor with the incomparable George Herman Ruth.

The Bambino reveals his classic grin as he firmly holds the star child prodigy, with the 2/3-year old "Snookums" sporting a Little Rascals "Alfalfa-like" raised hair piece. The arcade/postcard-like SGC 3 offering reveals superb central image aesthetics, only downgraded due to VG corner wear, while the 7" x 9-1/2" Type 1 photo reflects a strong diagonal crease near the lower right quadrant as well as some negligible stray wrinkles barely visible to the naked eye. The verso exhibits the critical LUCE'S PRESS CLIPPING BUREAU credit stamp as well as a partial newspaper clipping stating that the film baby has visited President Coolidge, Babe Ruth and the Mayors of New York and Philadelphia on his Eastern trip. One of the most extraordinary vintage card and matching photo ensembles, their unquestionable rarity, fine aesthetics and remarkable history all combine to place this "dynamic duo" as one of the most extraordinary c.1920's Babe Ruth keepsakes!

MIN BID $1,500
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