Lot # 104: Circa 1920’s Oversized Babe Ruth PSA Type I Studio Photo – The Exact Image Used for Ruth’s Scarce 1931/’32 Exhibit Postcard - Measures Approx. 11” x 14” – PSA Type I LOA

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $750.00

Bids: 6 (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 104)
Circa 1920's Oversized Babe Ruth PSA Type I Studio Photo – The Exact Image Used for Ruth's Scarce 1931/'32 Exhibit Postcard - Measures Approx. 11" x 14" – PSA Type I LOA

The hobby's photo market continues to steamroll ahead, and only a handful of photos could possibly be considered more desirable than an illustration that represents the exact image used for a player's baseball card. The past several years have seen skyrocketing pricing points for such photos, and to the little surprise of avid enthusiasts, leading that charge is the incomparable George "Herman" Ruth. Arguably the greatest player who ever graced a baseball diamond, the mere mention of Ruth's hallowed name immediately arouses the attention of the most sophisticated collectors. His diamond exploits from both the batter's box and pitching rubber have rightfully earned him the nod of our National Pastime's all-time player, and the unfathomable thought that Ruth might have been a Hall of Fame pitcher had he not switched to a full-time outfielder simply boggles the mind.

Presented here just happens to be one of those seldom surfacing PSA Type 1 photos utilized for a Ruth cardboard memento, with this extraordinary 11" x 14" studio generated masterpiece irrefutably representing the EXACT image affixed to "The Babe's" 1931/'32 Exhibit Supply subject. Issued on extremely rare oversized doubleweight matt-finish stock, this high-quality illustration reflects one of the most expensive and seldom used photo papers from that era. This particular stock resulted in an added expense, justifying why these photo types were typically made for player families and/or team officials (as opposed to press or publicity photos). The black & white image is absolutely breathtaking, portraying a classic "half-body" portrait pose of the Bambino donning his period style formal attire. Most likely originating from the renowned Christy Walsh Estate, the flamboyant Ruth illustration exhibits crystal clear clarity and a stoic facial expression as he stares directly into the camera. While the critical central pose is completely intact, neighboring flaws include negligible perimeter chipping, a left corner chip, some modest paper stock "rippling" primarily along the right edge, and an approximate 1-1/2" tear along he upper left edge.

While some additional stray wrinkles exist, none of the aforementioned flaws impede the magnificent aesthetics. Regarding its eventual use for Ruth's ultra-scarce 1931/'32 Exhibit Postcard, this 32-card set manufactured by the esteemed Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago featured America's grandest movie stars including the "Sultan of Swat". This eclectic issue stands as one of the scarcest of all Exhibit Card Sets, with the Babe Ruth subject arguably his rarest Exhibit card subject (along with Ruth's 1923/'24 issue). Indeed, this near-impossible oversized Ruth Type 1 studio photo not only resides as one of his most awe-inspiring images extant, but its irrefutable use for his obscure 1931/'32 Exhibit card escalates its hobby significance to world-class stature! - PSA Type 1 LOA

MIN BID $750
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