Lot # 941: Magnificent c.1920’s Babe Ruth Signed Official N.L. Heydler Baseball w/“Babe” in Quotes – Displays as a “Single Signed” Ball - Full PSA/DNA LOA

Category: Signed Balls

Starting Bid: $1,500.00

Bids: 22 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Rarities Auction 2020",
which ran from 5/6/2020 12:00 PM to
5/30/2020 7:00 PM




(LOT 941)
Magnificent c.1920's Babe Ruth Signed Official N.L. Heydler Baseball w/"Babe" in Quotes – Displays as a "Single Signed" Ball - Full PSA/DNA LOA

This outstanding Babe Ruth signed baseball was scripted by the great Bambino "pre-1929", with that assessment largely due to the Babe's immortal name including quotes. It is no secret among sophisticated hobbyists that Ruth typically utilized quotes on his hallowed "Babe" before 1929, with his super clear "Babe" Ruth script actually displaying a distinctive more suppressed style utilized by Ruth in the early to mid-1920's. Signed on the sweet spot of an Official National League Heydler baseball, the period-style black fountain pen autograph portrays conservative "NM 7" strength, and is not impeded by any obtrusive surface flaws.

Although not an "official" single-signed baseball (PSA/DNA's LOA clearly indicates there are several extremely faded signatures that are unreadable), this magnificent offering clearly presents itself as a "single", with the remaining faded scripts basically invisible to the naked eye. All of the factory issued black ink stampings are fully legible including the various Spalding related logos and the "Official National League" imprint on the reverse sweet spot. The ball itself reveals the typical toning evident on virtually all 90/100-year old horsehide spheres, and the tightly wound multi-colored red/black stitching is completely intact. It is no secret that a Babe Ruth Official signed baseball that displays as a "single" is one of the most coveted artifacts in the sports memorabilia industry.

The "Sultan of Swat" ruled our National Pastime at a level far beyond any other player, actually saving the game from a possible tragic ending due to the fallout of the horrific 1919 Black-Sox scandal. After his historic sale from Boston to New York following the 1919 campaign, Ruth's unparalleled batting prowess forced the Yankees to make him an everyday player whereby he responded in 1920 by walloping a record-breaking 54 homers, actually out-homering nearly every MLB team. He would follow up that season by blasting 54 round-trippers in 1921, proving to the baseball community that his previous campaign was no fluke and he was here to stay.

Of course, Ruth would continue his uncanny batting exploits until that iconic 1927 campaign when he belted 60 home runs, a record that stood for 34 years until Maris ultimately eclipsed Ruth's magical mark in 1961. Simply stated, Babe Ruth will forever stand as baseball's foremost all-time player, an indisputable notion considering that he was a bona-fide Hall of Fame "pitcher" until his batting excellence forced the Yankees into converting him to an everyday player. It therefore comes as little surprise that collectors pursue his most desirable keepsakes, with this spectacular 1920's Official N.L. signed baseball sufficing as one of Ruth's finer pre-1929 examples in circulation! - Full PSA/DNA LOA

MIN BID $1,500
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