(LOT 222)
Magnificent Lou Gehrig Signed 1927 Ruth/Gehrig Barnstorming Christy Walsh Souvenir Presentation Photo – PSA/DNA LOA  – Measures Approx. 8" x 10"
IRON HORSE AUTO!!!... The dynamic duo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig certainly flexed their muscles in 1927, leading the Yankees to a world championship by crushing the overmatched Pittsburgh Pirates in the Fall Classic. These two slugging icons dominated our National Pastime for nearly a decade, striking an incomparable fear into the hearts of virtually every pitcher they faced, and it is an accepted notion that no two teammates could possibly match their coupled achievements. Americans were now captivated by these mighty hitters, prompting Ruth and Gehrig's renowned agent Christy Walsh to organize a Continental U.S. tour directly after the 1927 World Series. Dubbed the Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's Barnstorming tour, they would play in towns or cities deprived of MLB teams in order to provide their baseball-starved fans a grand opportunity to see these legendary stars.

Starting in New York and sweeping across America to the California coast, Ruth and Gehrig would be the sole MLB players, with each respective town providing local players to round out the teams. Both young and old admirers of these baseball icons were afforded their once in a lifetime opportunity to see the two Yankee stars perform live, and the tour was such a huge success that it was repeated in the fall of 1928 after the Yankees claimed their second consecutive championship. Immediately after the Yankees completed their four-game sweep of the Pirates on October 8, 1927, Christy Walsh issued a number of Souvenir Presentation photos depicting Ruth and Gehrig in their classic black "BUSTIN' BABES" and white "LARRUPIN' LOU'S" uniforms. The major intent of this iconic image would be to promote the upcoming Barnstorming Tour, with a number of these photos eventually signed by Ruth, Gehrig or both of these immortals.

One of the most celebrated 1927 photos of these two baseball gods, their imposing presence depicts them standing side by side, leaning on their period-style lumber. Facsimile signatures were included with the "Yours Truly" salutation preceding both players' majestic scripts. While it's safe to assume a number of these ultra-desirable photos were signed by Ruth and Gehrig, only a fraction of the original number of autographed copies still exist. With that in mind, offered here is one of those 1927 Barnstorming photos signed by none other than the incomparable Iron Horse, with Gehrig providing the following full salutation: "To Paul – With Kindest Regards – Cordially, Lou Gehrig". Presenting itself in "6/7" strength, Lou's eloquent note scripted in black fountain pen resides as another classic example of how this benevolent hero would try and accommodate virtually all of his adoring fan base and friends. Other than a few faint soiling spots situated in the upper region and some stray wrinkles, no obtrusive blemishes are evident on the critical obverse side, with the timeless central image miraculously retaining a majority of its original brilliant aesthetics.

The final exclamation point is the verso that includes a "CHRISTY WALSH MANAGEMENT" credit stamp, substantiating this image was one of the souvenir photos issued by Walsh. One of the most coveted signed Gehrig heirlooms extant, it was autographed during the height of his playing excellence and serves as a steadfast reminder of how Iron Horse teamed up with Ruth to form the most potent one-two batting punch in MLB history. Of course, some 12 years after the mighty 1927 Yankees dismantled their opposition, Gehrig would ultimately need to call it quits due to the tragic ALS disease that eventually claimed his life on June 2, 1941 at the tender age of 37. Lou Gehrig's legacy will surely outlast eternity, due to both his uncanny batting feats and, moist significantly, his "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" farewell speech delivered at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 that will forever stand as our National Pastime's Gettysburg Address!

MIN BID $2,000
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