(LOT 31)
Ultra-Rare 1920 Babe Ruth Headin Home Pin – Ex-Halper Collection; Possibly Unique & Depicting NM+ Quality!
After the 1919 season, Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee reluctantly sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees to fund his theatrical production "No, No, Nanette", effectively initiating the legendary "Curse of the Bambino". Ruth's arrival to New York elevated his "star stature" to a seemingly infinite level, with even Hollywood Moguls now pursuing the "Sultan of Swat" for potential movie roles in an effort to capitalize on his unparalleled popularity. Ruth's first opportunity didn't take long, for he was immediately cast in a lead role for the popular "Headin' Home" silent movie that depicted a fictionalized account of Ruth's life. Written by Authur "Bugs" Baer and based on a story by Earle Browne, its immediate success was ably assisted by the production of many promotional artifacts including programs and "Headin' Home" theatre cards.

One of the "near impossible" keepsakes associated with Ruth's inaugural movie is the virtually non-existent "Headin' Home" celluloid pin that depicts a classic black & white Babe Ruth REAL PHOTO portrait image. Measuring approximately 1-1/4" in diameter, it was issued by the Brooklyn, N.Y. based Henry Moss Company (company text is affixed to the pin's verso), and to the best of our knowledge, stands as the only known example of its kind! While another example might be safely tucked away in a private collection, this offering truly suffices as the only specimen ever publicly offered. Arguably considered the rarest of all Babe Ruth pins, its unprecedented desirability, "time-defying" immaculate condition and "infinite-like" value places it as one of the foremost "Sultan of Swat" collectibles in our illustrious hobby.

Regarding potential value, its only formidable celluloid competitor could possibly be his 1915 Red Sox pin issues for which we know several examples exist. Its overall NM/MT condition is highlighted by a gleaming surface, an ultra-tight circumference rim, pristine-like real photo Ruthian portrait image, extremely bold "HEADIN' HOME/BABE RUTH" captions, no scratches/glaring surface flaws, a completely intact reverse side metal pin and the verso's mint-like paper that reveals the "HENRY MOSS & CO." address. A truly unfathomable Babe Ruth heirloom, it transcends time back to an era when the "Bambino" starred in his first movie and was about to place an indelible mark on our National Pastime via his record breaking long balls.

An Ex-Barry Halper collectible, this Babe Ruth Headin' Home pin proudly boasts it all: unparalleled rarity, immaculate-like condition, amazing historical significance since it represents Ruth's inaugural motion picture, and an iconic Ruth real photo that simply takes your breath away. Diminutive in size yet Goliath in eye appeal, its possible "one of a kind" stature makes it extremely difficult to accurately pinpoint its prospective value, so we will defer to you, the elite enthusiast, to ultimately determine this museum worthy masterpiece's true worth!

MIN BID $2,500
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