(LOT 689)
1933 Babe Ruth "House of David" Associated Press Type 1 Photo – Measures Approx. 6" x 8" – PSA Type 1 Encapsulation
One of the most interesting and eclectic barnstorming baseball teams was the "House of David" ballclub that toured rural America from the 1920's thru the 1950's. This extremely rigid religious cult (formerly the Israelite House of David) was originally co-founded by Benjamin and Mary Purnell in Benton Harbor, Michigan in March 1903. A significant sports enthusiast, Purnell encouraged members of this religious society to play multiple sports to build both spiritual and physical discipline, with a "soft-spot" for America's favorite baseball pastime. One of the stern conditions of partaking on Purnell's baseball team was that the players were required to wear long hair and beards, with this stipulation continuing through the 1950's as the House of David competed against amateur and semi-pro teams across the country.

During the 1920's, a handful of legendary MLB stars joined the House of David team for a "game or two" on off-days or simply after their grueling 154 game campaigns were complete in early October. A few of those superstars included Grover Cleveland Alexander, Mordecai "Three Fingered" Brown and even Negro League icon Satchel Paige. Of course, even these ultra-respected stars had to either wear false beards or grow natural whiskers to partake in these games. The House of David would also play MLB teams in various exhibition games, and arguably the most renowned game took place on March 29, 1933 when the defending champion New York Yankees bested the barnstorming House of David club by a 5-3 score at Miller Huggins Field in St. Petersburgh, FL.

Indeed, fresh off of his legendary "Called Shot" Home Run in the 1932 World Series, the immortal Babe Ruth would put on a false beard for this revered exhibition game as a gesture of sheer respect for the House of David organization. This magnificent 6" x 8" photo of a "bearded Ruth" was taken before the game, and stands as one of the rarest and obscure Ruthian images extant. In typical fashion, Ruth emanates a candid good-natured smile as he showcases his false beard, with the near-perfect resolution and contrast ably assisting the awe-inspiring eye appeal of this extreme scarcity.

The only noteworthy blemish is a modest surface scratch to the right of Ruth's left arm, and the flipside reveals the esteemed Associated Press credit stamp as well as a critical newspaper clipping that reads: "Babe Ruth decorated with "lilacs" for the game with the House of David team, When his major league career ends the Babe would make plenty of money as manager of one of the House of David outfits, if he could be prevailed upon to join one. Grover Alexander found it profitable". A remarkable "Sultan of Swat" heirloom, it captures the iconic Ruth in a near-impossible to find pose that substantiates the notion that the "Babe" would not be ashamed to tackle virtually any endeavor!

MIN BID $500
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