(LOT 2)
c. 1933 Babe Ruth Old Gold Cigarettes Tri-Fold Advertising Sign
Heading into the 1930s, no man on the planet was more recognizable and certainly more popular than the inimitable Babe Ruth. His daily routine of breaking the home run record with each and every dinger never got old and gained him worldwide notoriety. By 1933, The Babe had already captured all of his seven World Series titles, four in Boston and three more as a member of the Bronx Bombing New York Yankees. Babe Ruth and Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig were arguably the greatest 1-2 punch at the plate in MLB history. So, who better to serve as the face of your company than the Sultan of Swat? Companies lined up to land Ruth's endorsement of their products and big tobacco was front and center as it had been for decades. The offered circa-1933 Old Gold tri-fold advertising sign is arguably the most imposing in the hobby, measuring a sizable 38" x 52" unfolded and 38" x 26" when collapsed. This oversized advertisement served as the centerpiece of an Old Gold Cigarette Five-and-Dime or sundries store display and is without equal as the most incredible and dominant ad piece in MLB history.

The full image of Ruth has never been produced at this scale and it surely dominates any room in which it is kept. This tri-fold display is incredibly rare with many examples succumbing to exposure to the elements, heavy display handling and the outright "tossing", given their disposable nature. Produced on thick, heavy cardboard stock, this example presents subtle sunlight exposure, as it was intended, standing inside a store window. A good number of surviving examples of this ad piece have undergone significant restoration and recoloring, but this piece shows only minor restoration, little to no added color, and the central Ruth images are unencumbered by detracting blemishes or defects. Expected aging and browning is evident at each of the two folding panels. While it does present display wear, marginal creasing, and aging spots with scattered soiling, this remarkable piece has withstood 90-something years of display and storage and remains one of the most significant and alluring advertising display pieces the hobby has ever seen.

MIN BID $10,000
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