(LOT 708)
Ultra-Rare 1928 "JOOSTA LIKE BABE-A-DA RUTH" Sheet Music by Jack Mills Music, Inc. – Ex-Barry Halper Collection - Incredible NM/MT Condition
Throughout the late teens and early 1920's Babe Ruth's immense popularity steamrolled ahead like an un-controllable brush fire. By the time he joined the Yankees in 1920, his iconic name even surpassed the likes of Cobb, Johnson, Mathewson, Wagner and Alexander with seemingly every avid baseball fan following his every move. Manufacturers began jumping on the "Sultan of Swat" bandwagon, utilizing his name and picture as a promotional tool for their brands. Likewise, music companies began composing songs relating to "The Babe", issuing various sheet music products with the first being the 1919 "Batterin Babe" classic portraying his classic Red Sox batting swing. Not considered rare, most of Ruth's sheet music issues can be found; however, there is one particular issue that is virtually impossible to find, the ULTRA-ELUSIVE 1928 "JOOSTA LIKE BABE-A-DA RUTH" example that is presented here in remarkable NM/MT condition!

Incredibly rare, it once belonged in the legendary Barry Halper collection and suffices as the scarcest of all Ruth sheet Music issues. Simply stated, collectors painstakingly seek any condition level copy, let alone one that portrays near-mint+ quality. Measuring approximately 9.25" x 12", it was issued by the renowned Mills Music Inc./Company of New York and includes a sensational black & white batting photo on its front cover depicting the Bambino completing his mighty swing. The extremely bold black header reads: "JOOSTA LIKE BABE-A-DA RUTH" with a "Words and Music by James Kendis" caption situated directly beneath the title. A neat "Best Wishes From Babe Ruth" facsimile signature is affixed directly to the right of Ruth's right stocking, and the "MILLS MUSIC" advertisement is situated near the lower border. The actual sheet music for the popular Ruth song consists of 3 pages (including the inside back cover), with the outside back cover depicting an advertisement for piano lessons from piano artist Zez Confrey.

Condition wise, no obtrusive surface flaws are evident, the spine is completely intact and the perimeter edging remains sharp. Issued at the height of his popularity, Babe Ruth had just led the Yankees to their dominating 1927 world championship, with Ruth walloping an unfathomable 60 round trippers and paving the way for the Yankees four-game sweep of the Pirates! The 1928 season would see much of the same, with the unstoppable Yankees sweeping the Cardinals to claim their second consecutive World Series title. "Ruth Mania" was at its pinnacle level, substantiating why the Mills Music Company chose a perfect time to release this utmost scarcity. To the best of our knowledge, only a handful of these nebulous examples exist, with this "spine-tingling" copy once owned by Barry Halper and arguably the finest of its kind. This more than justifies the notion that any serious Ruth collector should take this golden opportunity to emulate the "King of Swing" by hitting a home run of their own via a simple final bid!

MIN BID $500
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