Lot # 1709: 1926 Babe Ruth in the Field Catching a Ball Dropped from a Plane! PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Photo – Measures Approx. 8” x 10” – Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Christy Walsh Estate

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $100.00

Bids: 11 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall Rarities Auction 2021",
which ran from 9/25/2021 12:00 PM to
10/9/2021 7:00 PM




(LOT 1709)
1926 Babe Ruth in the Field Catching a Ball Dropped from a Plane! PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Photo Measures Approx. 8" x 10" Includes a Letter of Provenance from the Christy Walsh Estate

For all of Babe Ruth's remarkable batting accomplishments, this absolutely amazing PSA Type 1 photo just may have captured his most miraculous feat. Standing alone at Mitchel Airfield, Ruth is in the process of catching a baseball dropped from an airplane YES INDEED obviously Ruth's most miraculous catch ever on any field of play. So the story goes, on July 22, 1926, Babe Ruth went to Mitchel Field in Garden City, Long Island (a bygone New York Airport) in an attempt to catch a baseball dropped from an airplane. Wearing army attire to spark extra publicity for the Citizens Military Training Camps, the New York Times reported that Ruth caught a baseball dropped from an airplane at an approximate 300-foot altitude, with the baseball traveling approximately 75-80 mph. No easy task for sure, it would take seven attempts for the Bambino to finally seize the 5-ounce horsehide sphere, failing on his first six attempts while conjuring up a profuse sweat by franticly running all over the field as if he was chasing a lost kite.

While some accounts state the plane flown by Captain Harold McClelland achieved only a 200 feet altitude (vs. the N.Y. Times reported number of 300 ft.), regardless of the actual height, what we know with 100% certainty is that the "Sultan of Swat" ultimately made his greatest catch ever on the seventh attempt. The image itself reveals somewhat light contrast and only some stray wrinkles, with Ruth situated near the center of the field. Some bold white photographer markings are situated along the lower left border including the "7-22-26" date of this extraordinary event, and a letter of provenance from the Christy Walsh Estate signed by Patricia S. Walsh is also included. One of the most eclectic Ruth images extant, it serves as a sheer reminder that the "Babe" could accomplish almost anything on any field, standing as a true testament to his supernatural-like abilities!

MIN BID $100
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