(LOT 46)
1933 Worch Cigar Babe Ruth (SGC EX 5) – "1 of 4; Only One SGC Example Graded Higher"
The early 1930's would see the slow demise of the "Sultan of Swat" as babe Ruth's days as a Yankee star slowly dwindled down. Of course, before his final 1934 season in the Bronx, "The Babe" would have one more legendary moment when he clubbed two homers in game three of the 1932 World Series, with the second round-tripper dubbed "The Called Shot". Indeed, many witnesses (including the Chicago Cubs announcer) claimed Ruth pointed towards the centerfield bleachers directly before Charlie Root delivered an 0-2 pitch that the Bambino absolutely walloped off the centerfield scoreboard. While Ruth's diamond skills were modestly diminishing, his popularity was greater than ever, with the 1932 U.S. Caramel and 1933 Goudey Gum Company's proudly boasting his images on their popular baseball cards. The 1933 season would also see Ruth's iconic picture also represented on one of the more eclectic card issues of the early 1930s, the seldom surfacing 1933 Worch Cigar cards.

Portraying postcard sized 3-7/16" x 5-7/16" dimensions, these scarce cards featured black & white photos appearing in the Minneapolis Star and St. Paul Dispatch newspapers. Utilized as promotion cards for the Worch Cigar Company of St. Paul, Minnesota, these stylish subjects are commonly referred to as "Worch Cigar", and carry no such advertisement relating to that respective company on either side of the card. As is the case with a majority of the 1930's cardboard issues, one of the top two players in the set is the iconic George Herman Ruth (Lou Gehrig being the other), with his sensational 1933 Worch Cigar card presented here in an SGC EX 5 holder. Only bested by a single SGC example and synonymous with Ruth's pinnacle baseball stature, it stands alongside three other SGC 5 specimens as one of the finest eye pleasing subjects of its kind! Less than 20 Babe Ruth copies have been encapsulated by BOTH PSA and SGC, substantiating its utmost rarity.

Additionally, its highly coveted status stems from the fact it includes one of the most renowned Ruth batting images extant, and the exact illustration first utilized on the legendary 1929 Kashin Publication Ruth subject. Ruth's classic pose literally sends chills down one's spine as the mighty Bambino is about to unleash another one of his unparalleled swings that send another battered horse-hide sphere towards the furthest confines of any ballpark. Near-perfect contrast and sharp resolution highlight this sepia toned masterpiece that also reveals fine centering between four clean borders. Relatively clean surfaces and no glaring blemishes are the final exclamation points for this Cooperstown worthy gem that painstakingly eludes a majority of even the most advanced hobbyists. From a collecting perspective it offers virtually every desirable quality one could possibly hope for including (1) super scarcity; (2) brilliant aesthetics; (3) one of the most formidable technical assessments for the issue, and most significantly, (4) the imposing batting image of our National Pastime's undisputable greatest player who ever graced a baseball diamond!

MIN BID $2,000
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