(LOT 143)
1927 Babe Ruth Portrait PSA Type I Encapsulated Underwood & Underwood Photo – Measures Approx. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2"
Presented here is one of the most awe-inspiring and breathtaking images of the exalted Bambino, a classic head-shot taken by renowned Underwood & Underwood News Service during the iconic 1927 campaign. Indeed, one look at this truly captivating image sends a chill through one's spine, for it reflects the foremost stoic pose of baseball's greatest all-time player. Staring at this "timeless" masterpiece conjures up memories of that remarkable 1927 season when the Yankees claimed a stranglehold on first place on opening day and held that position throughout their entire 154 game schedule. That would be the year the "Sultan of Swat" would clout an extraordinary 60 round-trippers, breaking his own 59 mark and forever staking claim to baseball immortality.

You can literally feel Ruth's intensity, as he gazes into an unknown future that would ultimately result in the Colossal slugger recording 714 lifetime homers, a record that stood for nearly 40 years until Henry Aaron surpassed his mark in 1974. This approximate 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" black & white marvel also includes an almost eerie shadow cast around the right side of Ruth's face/chin as well as across his eye, an additional fascinating feature that can easily lure the photo's fortunate viewers into a virtual trance. Other than some negligible wrinkles barely visible to the naked eye, the only noteworthy flaw is a negligible upper right corner chip. For full disclosure, we need to mention the three Underwood & Underwood "FILE COPY – DO NOT REMOVE" embossed stamps that are situated virtually in a square formation around the Babe's classic portrait pose, none of which blatantly detract from this awe-inspiring illustration.

The verso includes several Underwood & Underwood credit stamps as well as a significant caption that reads as follows: "YANKEES WIN AMERICAN LEAGUE PENNANT AFTER TAKING LEAD AT START AND HOLDING IT THROUGHOUT SEASON – NEW YORK - After making a runaway race of it all season, the Yankees won the American League pennant. They took the opening series of the year from the Athletics, of Philadelphia, and held the lead until the end; their victory was due mainly to the heavy hitting of "Babe" Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Tony Lazzeri and other members of the team; Miller Huggins is the manager." Indeed, led by the 'Sultan of Swat's" 60 homers, the Yankees manhandled their inferior American League peers throughout that 1927 season, with this compelling keepsake fully capturing the "Babe's" majestic persona via an iconic-like portrait pose!

MIN BID $500
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