(LOT 68)
c.1927 Babe Ruth "Bustin Babes" & Lou Gehrig "Larrupin Lou's" Sioux City, Iowa Barnstorming Original Photo w/Johnny Donuhue's 3 Boys - Measures Approx. 4-7/8" x 7-1/4" - Full PSA Type I LOA
In 1927, the New York Yankees absolutely crushed their opposition, virtually "cake walking" to their second World Championship with a climatic 4 game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The dynamic duo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig led this unparalleled squad, with their record setting assault on the fences eventually leading to the "Bambino's" unfathomable 60 home runs. Virtually every American was now captivated by these incredible sluggers, which prompted Ruth and Gehrig's renowned agent Christy Walsh to organize a Continental U.S. tour directly after the 1927 World Series. Dubbed the "Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's Barnstorming tour, Ruth and Gehrig would play in towns/cities without Major League ball clubs in order to provide deprived fans a grand opportunity to see these legendary giants.

Starting in New York and sweeping across America to the California coast, Ruth and Gehrig would be the sole Major League players, with each respective town providing local players to round out the teams. Both young and old admirers of these baseball icons were afforded their "once in a lifetime" opportunity to see the two Yankee stars perform live, and the tour was such a huge success that it was repeated in the fall of 1928 and 1931. Presented here is an amazing PSA Type 1 photo from the 1927 barnstorming tour that was issued 10 days after the Yankees swept the Pirates in the 1927 Fall Classic. Measuring approximately 4-7/8" x 7-1/4", it was taken in Sioux City, Iowa and portrays Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in their classic "Bustin Babes" and "Larrupin Lou's" uniforms posing with John Donohue's sons (including 9-year old Phil Donohue sitting atop his pony named "Molly" as well as Ken and "little" Jack) in the large backyard of Mr. Donohue's Jackson Street brick home.

John "Jigg's Donohue owned a prestigious livestock company and likewise knew Ruth and Gehrig's renowned sports agent Christy Walsh. In an effort to meet these two baseball giants, Donohue arranged with Walsh to have the Barnstorming tour play a game in Sioux City, Iowa on October 18, 1927, as well as having "The Babe" and "Iron Horse" visiting his home. You can literally feel the excitement of these boys posing with their baseball idols in a magnificent photo most likely utilized for promotional purposes (miraculously, we are also offering in this auction a portrait pose of Babe Ruth signed "To My Old Pal, Johnny Donohue – From Babe Ruth", with the Bambino obviously meeting up with his old Sioux City friend years later).

Regarding condition, the black & white barnstorming image presented here exhibits immaculate-like clarity and near-perfect contrast, with only a stray wrinkle or two barely visible to the naked eye. Easily presenting "EX+/NM" aesthetics, this world-class image has survived the past 91 years to exhibit a majority of its original photographic attributes. Considered extremely scarce, seldom do Ruth/Gehrig Barnstorming team photos surface, and considering its superb condition, hallowed "Sultan of Swat" and "Iron Horse" poses and intriguing story of the photo's momentous origin, it irrefutably merits the highest hobby accolades! - Full PSA Type I LOA

*For full disclosure, since the prior Lot #67 Ruth signed photo is inscribed to “Jimmy” Donohue (NOT “Johnny” Donohue as originally presented in our description), there is no relevance between these two lots.

MIN BID $400
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