(LOT 44)
1931 W517 #20 Babe Ruth – Portrait "Blue Tint' (PSA 8) - "1 of 2; Only 1 Graded Higher"
Advanced enthusiasts are always seeking a Babe Ruth cardboard artifact issued during his playing days. With the prices of the "Bambino's pre 1930's issued skyrocketing to unlimited levels, it is no longer a simple task to purchase an earlier "playing years" Ruth mid-grade specimen without breaking the bank. As Ruth entered the 1930's his once unparalleled achievements slowly started to diminish, with his imminent retirement finally taking place as a member of the Boston Braves in 1935. Still, in the early 30's Ruth continued posting some impressive numbers, and his 1932 World Series "called Shot" Hone Run will forever stand as one of our National Pastime's most iconic moments. Unfortunately for collectors, other than his 1932 US Caramel and a handful of Goudey issues, there are not a myriad of 1930 cards depicting the "Bambino" donning Yankee pinstripes.

With that in mind, presented here is one of those few early 1930 Ruth issues, a breathtaking W517 "portrait blue tint" Ruth in a PSA 8 holder; one of only two at this stratospheric plateau with only a single specimen graded higher! Ultra-popular with collectors, W517's were distributed in vertical strips of three cards with each subject measuring approximately 3" x 4". Many of the games stars are depicted in this set via sepia-tone or blue tint poses, and while there are two Babe Ruth subjects, the portrait image of the "Babe" has become the more coveted and valuable of the two Ruth cards.

A truly remarkable "blue-tint" Ruth stoic portrait image portrays super contrast and clarity, with the well-centered image only slightly favoring the left edge. The off-white borders are extremely clean, with the four corners depicting extremely sharp tips. This near-pristine marvel's final exclamation point is its super clean blank back, and considering it stands as one of the few Babe Ruth early 1930's issues with only a SOLE example graded higher, you owe it to yourself to hit a home run of your own by seizing this "time-defying' "Sultan of Swat" heirloom!

MIN BID $500
_