(LOT 67)
Historically Significant Babe Ruth Signed 8" x 10" Vintage Photo: "To My Old Pal, Johnny Donohue – Babe Ruth" - Full PSA/DNA LOA
This historically significant signed Ruth portrait photo represents far more than another scripted Ruth image. Signed by the "Sultan of Swat" for his dear old friend John Donohue, the full inscription reads "To My Old Pal, Johnny Donohue – From Babe Ruth", with the inscription and autograph portraying approximate 5/6 strength and accompanied by a Full PSA/DNA LOA! Measuring approximately 8" x 10", this vintage sepia photo is not just another "rogue" signed Ruthian image, for it was Johnny "Jiggs" Donohue that the Babe had first met years earlier on a Barnstorming tour only 10 days after capturing the 1927 World Series title. Owner of a prestigious livestock company, Johnny Donuhue lived in Sioux City, Iowa and also knew Ruth and Gehrig's renowned sports agent Christy Walsh.

 Upon hearing that both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig would be undergoing a barnstorming tour immediately following the Fall Classic, Donohue contacted Walsh and arranged to have the "Bustin Babes" and "Larrupin Lou's" play a game in Sioux City on October 18, 1927. More significantly, Donohue requested that both Ruth and Gehrig come to his Jackson street home and have pictures taken with his 3 boys, donning their classic barnstorming uniforms. Ironically, the following lot in our auction is an original Type 1 photo of Ruth and Gehrig posing with Donohue's boys in their Jackson Street home's backyard from that fabled October 18th afternoon, including 9-year old Phil Donohue sitting atop his pony named "Molly" as well as brothers Ken and "little" Jack.

The "Bambino" would obviously meet up with his old Sioux City friend years later, signing this momentous image that has miraculously survived the test of time. Museum matted and framed, the classic Ruth image does not appear to exhibit and serious flaws, with the critical inscription and Babe Ruth name affixed to the right of his iconic pose. While most would agree there is no shortage of Babe Ruth signed artifacts, rarely does one surface connecting the Babe to a notable moment in time. This museum worthy masterpiece unquestionably achieves that concept, with the Sultan of Swat clearly remembering his old pal Johnny Donohue and providing him with this spectacular heirloom as an everlasting link to their storied friendship! - Full PSA/DNA LOA

For full disclosure, it has come to our attention that this signed Babe Ruth photo was inscribed to “Jimmy” Donohue, NOT “Johnny” Donohue as originally outlined in this description.   Therefore, the signed image has no relevance to the Ruth/Gehrig barnstorming photo presented in lot #68. 

MIN BID $900
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