(LOT 274)
1924 Babe Ruth Barnstorming Tour PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Pacific & Atlantic Photo – Taken on October 31, 1924 at the Brea Bowl in Brea, CA. - Measures Approx. 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" PSA/DNA LOA & Walsh LOA
Entering the early 1920's, it was no secret that Babe Ruth was the undisputed "King" of baseball, clouting home runs at an alarming pace including record setting 54 and 59 round trippers in two successive seasons (1920 & 1921). The "Sultan of Swat" was not only the toast of the "Big Apple", but arguably the most celebrated individual in America. Capitalizing on Ruth's unparalleled popularity and against MLB Commissioner Judge Mountain Landis's stern wishes, Ruth's renowned agent Christy Walsh organized a barnstorming tour after the 1924 season that would see both Ruth and teammate Bob Meusel manage two teams that would tour the Western U.S.

This was an ultra-special feature for avid baseball fans in the California state who had never had the opportunity of seeing the Bambino play. Major League baseball had yet to realize western expansion, with baseball enthusiasts geographically situated in those far western states only exposed to minor league professional games (e.g., the California Pacific Coast League). Ruth's and Meusel's two teams traveled 8,500 miles and played in 15 cities before some 125,000 people. They played a single game in each of those 15 cities with Ruth's team winning every game (15-0), and the Babe slugging 17 dingers. Over-anxious fans eagerly awaited the arrival of the sanctified George Herman Ruth to their small towns, with News Service photographers jumping on the bandwagon to take any possible photos of these extraordinary events.

One such photo is this grand Pacific & Atlantic 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" offering that just happens to portray George Herman "Babe" Ruth taking a mighty swing at the "Brea Bowl" in Brea, California, on October 31, 1924, one of the many West Coast stops he made to captivate his enthralled fan base. It should be noted that Ruth's is donning the exact uniform he wore on his celebrated October 22, 1924 Dunsmuir, CA. real photo postcard that has previously sold for nearly $20,000. Unfortunately for Ruth, this is one instance where he "came up empty", obviously swinging thru the baseball with the catcher and umpire looking on behind home plate. Similar to most games the "Babe" played in, the stands are fully packed as many of the enthralled fans have surely attended with the hopes of seeing the majestic Ruth wallop a baseball towards the ballpark's furthest confines.

Most significantly, not only did Babe Ruth pitch a complete game victory against the great Walter Johnson on this extraordinary October 31st Fall day (with Johnson having just secured his first and only world championship), the "Sultan of Swat" just happened to blast two home runs off of the "Big Train" as well, one of which was estimated to travel approximately 550 feet! Interestingly enough, details of this game are still exhibited at Orange County's Brea Museum & Heritage Center, and a link to an historical account of this fabled Brea Bowl event is included on the MLI website. An extremely rare PSA Type 1 Babe Ruth batting photo, it boldly portrays his colossal-like swing that ultimately led to 714 round-trippers and the Bambino's irrefutable standing as baseball's greatest all-time ballplayer! PSA/DNA Encapsulated, PSA/DNA LOA & Walsh LOA

MIN BID $500
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