(LOT 154)
1931 W517 #4 Babe Ruth "Pitching" Blue Tint (SGC NM 7)
This sensational SGC "Near Mint 7" 1931 W517 #4 Babe Ruth pitching pose offering has only been joined by a single other example at this highly coveted tier with a paltry six specimens graded higher! The early 1930's would start to take their toll on the Bambino's skill sets, with his imminent retirement finally taking place as a member of the Boston Braves in 1935. Ruth's "last hurrah" would be the 1932 World Series sweep of the Chicago Cubs when the "Babe's" called shot home run off of the Cubs Charlie Root in the 5th inning of game #3 at Wrigley Field will forever stand as one of our National pastime's greatest moments. Unfortunately, other than his 1932 US Caramel and a handful of 1933 and 1935 Goudey issues, there are not a myriad of 1930 cards depicting the "Bambino" when he was still wearing his Yankee pinstripes.

Ultra-popular with collectors, W517's were distributed in vertical strips of 3 cards with each subject measuring approximately 3" x 4". Many of the game's stars are depicted in this set via sepia-tone or blue tint poses, with the two Babe Ruth cards (#'s 4 & 20) obviously standing as the most desirable and valuable subjects. This exalted offering reveals a remarkably clean Ruth pitching pose that has stubbornly defied "father-time", with the hand-cut marvel retaining a majority of its original factory issued attributes. The lower left quadrant reveals the "Babe Ruth – YANKEES A.L." white text and the central image portrays relatively fine centering, only somewhat favoring the right edge. Clean front & back surfaces and sharp corners complete this seldom surfacing gem that synonymous with the "Sultan of Swat's" exploits, has withstood the test of time!

MIN BID $400
_