(LOT 26)
Ultra Rare c.1928 Babe Ruth's Own Book of Baseball Postcard (SGC 60/5) – Only Encapsulated Copy by ANY Grading Company!
Here is one you might not see again! This miraculous c.1928 Babe Ruth's Own Book of Baseball Postcard graded an SGC 60/5 currently stands as the SOLE copy encapsulated by any professional grading service! A true "one of a kind" offering from a grading perspective, while another ungraded example can be safely tucked away in a private collection, we do not know of any other existing specimens. As a reminder of just how coveted rare Babe Ruth cardboard artifacts truly are, a similar "1 of 1" Ruth "HR Chocolate" Postcard recently sold at auction for a staggering $15,600! At this moment, no baseball cards are "hotter" than Babe Ruth scarcities, and this SGC 60/5 "Own Book of Baseball" rarity falls directly into that category.

Its history can be traced directly to the prestigious 1928 BABE RUTH'S OWN BOOK of BASEBALL. Most likely issued as a postcard to promote his popular book, its obverse side reflects the EXACT image affixed to the book's dustcover, utilizing similar blue background and red verbiage hues. The classic "Ruthian" batting image depicting him complete his mighty swing was originally taken at New York's legendary Polo Grounds in the early 1920's. This image was likewise utilized for some of Ruth's prominent cardboard issues including his 1929/'30 Rogers Peet and 1932 Sanella. The red text above the hallowed image boldly reads "BABE RUTH'S OWN BOOK OF BASEBALL" with the lower text stating "By George Herman Ruth."

No obtrusive surface flaws are evident on either side, the corners reveal a majority of their original square formations and a brief summary of the book's content is affixed on the verso's left side and reads as follows: "Babe Ruth tells the story of his life – how he started in to play the game and how he broke into big league baseball. He gives us fascinating glimpses into big league play. The book is full of intimate, revealing and amusing anecdotes about the author and others. It has a detailed analysis of the plays from every position on the diamond, colored by humorous and pertinent anecdotes about the good and bad plays of the past. Here, too, are stories about players great and small with whom he has been personally acquainted. A book which will delight any baseball fan."

Also situated on the uncancelled back (near the lower left quadrant) is an offering to purchase the related Ruth book for $2.50. Along with the 1928 first edition book likewise presented in this auction, the postcard was issued a year after Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees turned the baseball world upside down via their unparalleled 1927 championship season, with Ruth clouting a then record setting 60 home runs. Advanced hobbyists are well aware of the potential value and desirability of any "1 of 1" Babe Ruth baseball card issued during his incomparable playing days. The "Sultan of Swat" stands tall as baseball's greatest and most dynamic player ever, and we now present what may be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to capture one of his rarest cardboard issues on the planet!

MIN BID $1,000
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