Lot # 3: The Most Celebrated Babe Ruth Red Sox Photo Extant! 1918 Charles Conlon Original Babe Ruth Type 1 Photo – Full PSA Type 1 LOA

Category: Memorabilia

Starting Bid: $5,000.00

Bids: 37 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Classic Rarities Auction 2016",
which ran from 4/22/2016 2:30 PM to
5/7/2016 7:00 PM




(LOT 3)
1918 Charles Conlon Original Babe Ruth Type 1 Photo

The Most Celebrated Babe Ruth Red Sox Photo Extant! 1918 Charles Conlon Original Babe Ruth Type 1 Photo – Measures Approx. 6-1/2" x 9-3/4" - Full PSA Type 1 LOA
No Babe Ruth collectible can possibly captivate the esteemed collector to the extent of an artifact from his playing days with the Boston Red Sox. Whether it is his heralded rookie card, early signatures, game used items or original photos, these time-defying treasures literally "turn back the clock", transcending us back to an era when the "Bambino" turned the baseball world upside down via his unfathomable batting achievements. Advanced enthusiasts clearly understand that his Red Sox relics are few and far between, justifying why this remarkable Charles Conlon original Ruth batting photo merits the highest hobby accolades.

Perhaps "The Babe's" most renowned Red Sox image, this museum worthy masterpiece stands as the "Holy Grail" of Ruth Boston photos, with virtually all of his other early images depicting him in either a portrait or pitching pose. Even more impressive is the fact that the image was originally taken at the Polo Grounds in 1918, documented on page 52 in the renowned publication "Baseball's Golden Age: The Photographs of Charles Conlon". Underwood & Underwood would use this legendary image to celebrate Ruth's 26th record setting home run against the New York Yankees at the Polo Grounds on September 9, 1919. Utilized approximately one-year after Conlon created the original negative (well within the parameters of PSA's strict 2-year original photo Type I guidelines), the caption is clearly dated 9/9/19 and provides a thorough account of Babe Ruth setting the single season home run record by clouting his 26th round-tripper; ironically breaking umpire Buck Freeman's previous 25 homer mark set in 1899.

Only a year earlier in 1918, the Red Sox realized Ruth's batting exploits could no longer be ignored, playing him in 95 games with Ruth rewarding them with 11 long balls. The 1919 season would see the young "Sultan of Swat" appear in 130 games to the tune of 432 official at bats, with the iconic slugger electrifying his avid fans by ending the year with 29 long balls and a new single season record. Elite photo collectors surely agree that an original Babe Ruth Red Sox Conlon image is among the most highly coveted collectible extant. The highlight of this timeless treasure is Ruth's classic batting image with the "Bambino" donning his period style Red Sox road uniform. Emanating "jaw-dropping" aesthetics, no obtrusive surface flaws and/or glaring creases impede the outstanding black & white batting pose.

Portraying crystal clear clarity and perfect contrast, Ruth has just completed his magical swing after connecting on what is most likely another colossal round tripper into the furthest confines of the Polo Grounds' grandstands. The verso reveals the aforementioned caption as well as the critical "Underwood & Underwood" stamp seen on many Conlon photos, and the PSA LOA provides ironclad authenticity as to this photo's original status, clearly depicting it as a Charles Conlon 6-1/2" x 9-3/4" 1919 Type 1 image. A museum worthy masterpiece to say the least, no world-class photo compilation could possibly be considered complete without an early "Ruthian" Red Sox image, with this ultra-scarce and extraordinary 1918 Charles Conlon marvel standing tall as "The Babe's" most iconic Boston photo! - Full PSA Type I LOA

MIN BID $5,000
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