Lot # 103: Amazing Babe Ruth Red Sox Type 1 Rookie Image by George Grantham Bain – PSA Encapsulated & Includes a Full PSA Type I LOA Stating it is a 1915 Rookie Image

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $15,000.00

Bids: 40 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Sizzling Summer Rarities Auction 2019",
which ran from 7/24/2019 11:00 AM to
8/10/2019 7:00 PM




(LOT 103)
Amazing Babe Ruth Red Sox Type 1 Rookie Image by George Grantham Bain – PSA Encapsulated & Includes a Full PSA Type I LOA Stating it is a 1915 Rookie Image

Babe Ruth Red Sox artifacts are currently realizing staggering price tags, spearheaded by his highly coveted Red Sox rookie-era photos that seemingly know no boundaries with regard to their potential value. Justifying this notion are the last two Type 1 Ruth rookie-era photos exceeding a staggering $70K, with these images selling in the modest $20-$30K range only several years ago. The most advanced enthusiasts are actively seeking any Babe Ruth artifact from his earliest Red Sox playing days, with the price tags of these respective collectibles continuing to rise like an uncontrollable tsunami. That said, Memory Lane is proud to present another extraordinary Babe Ruth "Rookie Image" from his first full 1915 season, a sensational George Grantham Bain Type I photo depicting "The Babe" alone in a classic sitting position as he dons his period style Red Sox uniform.

Even more significant is that this PSA Type I original image was taken by none other than the iconic photographer George Grantham Bain, with his classic photos among the most sought after and valuable illustrations in the hobby. Indeed, this truly breathtaking memento unquestionably depicts the "Bambino" from his 1915 rookie season, with the accompanying PSA LOA supporting that notion via the following critical comments: "This image was taken in 1915 by the Bain News Service during Babe Ruth's Rookie Season." One of the earliest known Babe Ruth images extant, this awe-inspiring 4-7/8" x 6-5/8" offering vividly portrays the iconic "Sultan of Swat" in a stoic pose as he appears to be pondering the unparalleled career he is about to embark on.

Having already capturing two world titles in 1903 and 1912, Boston would eventually claim their third World Championship in 1915 by besting the Philadelphia Phillies four games to one. Ironically, although Ruth would win 18 games and post a stellar 2.44 E.R.A. during his first full season in 1915, he did not throw a single pitch in the World Series. Unfortunately for Ruth, the dominating pitching trio of Rube Foster, Dutch Leonard and Ernie Shore were more than enough to capture the World Series, with Ruth's sole appearance being a negligible pinch-hitting role. Interestingly enough, it would be Jack Dunn's financial related issues that would eventually lead to Ruth being sold to the Boston Red Sox on July 4, 1915 along with Ernie Shore and Ben Egan.

The Baltimore Orioles International League owner, Dunn simply could not compete with the new Federal League Baltimore Terrapins club, attendance dropped and Dunn was forced to sell off his premier players. History was now in the making with the iconic Babe Ruth now set to etch his unequivocal mark in baseball history. When you carefully consider the seemingly "faith driven" stepping stones resulting in Ruth's ultimate rise to Major League stardom, it soundly justifies why his early Boston Red Sox mementos are fetching staggering price tags. The overall mystique of the "Sultan of Swat" still remains unprecedented; not only in America, but worldwide for it was Babe's lifetime achievements both on and off a baseball diamond that will echo for eternity.

His status among hobbyists is supreme, and long before Ruth started testing the dimensions of a baseball diamond at an alarming rate in Yankee pinstripes, he was winning a myriad of games with the Boston Red Sox and widely regarded as the finest southpaw of his time. In fact, as Boston's pitching ace for 5 seasons, he led the Red Sox to 3 World Championships and set a record of hurling 29+ consecutive scoreless innings in Series play (since then broken in 1961 by Hall of Famer Whitey Ford).

The photo itself is nothing short of spectacular, portraying one of the most captivating Babe Ruth images on the planet. The bold and sepia-toned photo depicts near-perfect contrast and crystal-clear clarity as Ruth dons his period style "RED SOX" jersey and 1915 white cap. The standard George Grantham Bain white text reveals Ruth's name as well as some related notations near the upper edge, and there is a modest chip near the upper right corner. You can literally feel Ruth gazing into an unknown future with serious apprehension, not realizing he would ultimately become the finest player to ever grace a baseball diamond via his unparalleled and unprecedented pitching and batting prowess.

Other modest condition related issues include a crease situated in the upper left quadrant as well as some light wrinkles near the upper right corner. Fortunately, none of these diminutive flaws impede the unscathed Babe Ruth hallowed image that has somehow managed to defy "Father Time". The verso reveals an extremely light "Bain News Service" violet hued stamp, as well as some additional "Culver Pictures, Inc." stamps typically affixed to Bain photos. Also included is an extremely light 1919 stamp that surely does NOT indicate the exact year this photo was issued. Many vintage Type 1 photos were commonly reused by various News Services and re-stamped at the time of their additional use.

Following that thought process, it would make perfect sense that Babe Ruth's iconic stature would lead to many of his hallowed images being recycled, and we cannot think of many illustrations possibly boasting the utmost prestige of this world-class offering. In closing, any collectible from Babe Ruth's early Boston Red Sox playing days carries an incredible aura cherished by the hobby's most esteemed collectors, let alone a Type 1 example reflecting a true "Rookie Image" from his first full 1915 season. The "best of the best" in every conceivable manner, it serves as a direct link to the "Babe's" earliest Major League origins, with its infinite-like potential value synonymous with Ruth's majestic home runs that reached unlimited heights! - Full PSA Type I

MIN BID $15,000
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