(LOT 164)
c.1920's/'30's Babe Ruth "Bambino" Tobacco Tin & Baby Ruth Cigar Box
Presented here are multiple Babe Ruth mementos from the height of his 1920's/early 30's playing days; a c.1930 "Bambino" Tobacco Tin and a seldom surfacing c.1920's/'30's Baby Ruth "5-cent" cigar box. This imposing group of Ruthian heirlooms represent baseball's greatest player during a period of time when he dominated our National Pastime like no player ever has or most likely ever will again. The highly coveted Bambino Tobacco tin reveals a black and white silhouette of the "Sultan of Swat's" legendary swing, affixed to a red background with the verso portraying a "BAMBINO SMOKING TOBACCO" baseball logo that exhibits severe surface damage across the BAMBINO verbiage.

Measuring approximately 3-1/4" x 4-1/2" and like most existing tins, numerous chips, scrapes and areas of rust are scattered throughout the tin, with the attached lid exhibiting extensive oxidation/rust. Interestingly enough, in order to avoid paying royalties to Ruth, the Bailey Brothers Inc. company did not seek the "Babe's" official endorsement, justifying why they used a generic Ruth batting silhouette as their central image, with zero mention of Babe Ruth's name other than the "Bambino" text.

The ultra-obscure c.1920's/'30's Baby Ruth 5-cent cigar box measures approximately 9-3/4" x 5-1/2" x 2-3/4", with the critical black "BABY RUTH" moniker affixed across the top of the attached lid. The inside of the lid depicts another imposing "BABY RUTH" caption (this one in bold red ink) and includes the following additional text "America's Greatest 5 cents Cigar". The "Perfecto Cellophane" cigar type label is seen across the front of the box, and while the entire box does reflect heavy wear including soiling/staining, chipping and various areas of rippling, its overall "charm" and vintage luster far outweigh its technical flaws. Simply stated, this scarce keepsake turns back the clock to an era when this "larger than life" icon turned the baseball world upside down via his goliath-like home runs that tested the confines of any ballpark.

There is immense speculation as to the numerous "Baby" Ruth monikers used on various products throughout Ruth's career and their direct correlation to the incomparable "Babe". However, what we know with 100% certainty is that their success is certainly linked to Ruth's unparalleled marquee name that was cemented in stone across a captivated Nation. A super neat "dynamic duo", these seldom offered keepsakes effectively link us to Babe Ruth's storied career, conjuring up vivid memories of when the "King of Swat's" remarkable diamond achievements forever placed his indelible stamp on America's favorite pastime!

MIN BID $500
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