(LOT 804)
Scarce 1921 Schapira Bros. Candy Babe Ruth "Waiting for a High One" Subject - Hand Cut SGC 2.5 Good+ – Same Image Used on Ruth's Iconic 1921 "Hands on Knees" Exhibit Card – "POP 3"; Only 3 SGC Examples Graded Higher!
Arguably the most sought-after of all seven 1921 Schapira Bros. Babe Ruth subjects is the "Waiting for a High One" version that is the exact same image affixed to Ruth's iconic 1921 "Hands on Knees" Exhibit card. Seldom surfacing in any grade, presented here is a superb SGC 2.5 Good+ gem that is one of only three examples at this plateau with a meager three specimens graded higher! One of the most eclectic and earliest Babe Ruth Yankee baseball card issues are the seven different subjects hand cut from the 1921 Schapira Bros. candy boxes, with purchasers able to redeem 250 candy box cards for an autographed Babe Ruth baseball. Every box included a portrait image of Ruth on one side with the box's opposite side reflecting one of five possible in-action images that are considered extremely scarce.
Regarding desirability, this "Waiting for a High One" subject may be the most coveted of all the Schapira Bros. Ruth mementos, obviously due to the its aforementioned 1921 Exhibit pose. The critical Ruthian image still emanates superb aesthetics, ably assisted by the striking red and blue background hues. No glaring surface flaws are evident, and the "WAITING FOR A HIGH ONE" verbiage situated beneath Ruth's period-style spikes is completely intact. The surfaces have eluded any glaring creases/flaws, and the assessment is primarily due to corner wear, most prevalent along the lower right corner. Undervalued for the longest time, their extreme significance has finally touched a vast number of vintage Ruth collectors, with an SGC 3.5 VG+ specimen fetching $12.7k in Memory Lane's February 2022 auction. Issued during the year that Ruth would break his own homer record by clouting 59 dingers, it conjures up captivating memories of how this giant of a man forever changed our National Pastime via his unparalleled persona and majestic home runs!
MIN BID $1,000
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