(LOT 168)
Babe Ruth Signed Original Tour of Japan Batting Photo to World-Renowned Cartoonist Frank Willard – Photo Measures Approx. 8-3/4" x 10-1/2" – Full Beckett LOA w/a "Mint 9" Autograph Grade
While there are many signed Babe Ruth photos to choose from, NONE are more iconic than the classic 1934 "Tour of Japan" batting photo that was taken by a renowned Japanese photographer during that legendary tour. The original images can easily be identified by an embossed seal near the lower right corner that confirms their "Type 1" designation. Presented here is one of those highly coveted images including the lower right quadrant seal that has been boldly signed by the immortal "Sultan of Swat". Measuring an oversized 8-3/4" x 10-1/2", Ruth's complete salutation has been scripted in bold black fountain pen, clearly reading as follows: "To My good friend Frank Willard – Sincerely, Babe Ruth -1935".

Authenticated by Beckett with a formidable "Mint 9" autograph grade, this is a scenario whereby the personalization actually adds irrefutable provenance and historical value to the signed photo. First and foremost, this actual illustration was one of the images that Ruth brought back from Japan to be utilized for "gifting" purposes to his ardent fan base. It is no secret that Ruth actually ordered a bunch of these original sepia-toned images for the purposes of signing them for his seemingly infinite array of followers, with this particular illustration portraying the Bambino completing his mighty swing as he watches another one of his colossal blasts head towards the Japanese grandstands. Captivating to say the least, hobbyists feverishly pursue obtaining one of these autographed heirlooms, and this particular offering, unlike others, reflects momentous historical significance.

Babe Ruth knew an abundance of dignitaries, Hollywood personalities and some of the most prominent global individuals throughout his illustrious life. One such personal friend of Ruth was the world-renowned cartoonist Frank Willard who is regarded as the "Charles Schulz" of cartoonists throughout the 1920's and '30's. His landmark comic strip was "Moon Mullins", an iconic syndicated newspaper comic that would persevere for an astounding 68 years (1923 – 1991), synonymous to the unparalleled popularity of Schulz's "Peanuts". Ruth had met Willard long before his retirement from baseball in 1935 and they built a sound friendship, so when Ruth returned from his Japan Tour, he gladly gifted this scripted image to Frank in 1935 that eventually became part of Willard's own personal scrapbook.

As additional provenance for the bond between these two gifted icons, we have also included a color picture of Ruth playing golf with Willard on January 9, 1936 in St. Petersburg, Florida. In the early 1930's, Willard had relocated from the mid-west to Florida, and this is a classic example when he would meet up with "The Babe" to enjoy a few rounds of golf. The original Babe Ruth batting image has retained a majority of its original aesthetically pleasing attributes and reveals no glaring flaws whatsoever. Most significant are the critical aforementioned Japanese photographic seal confirming its Type 1 stature, and the extremely imposing Babe Ruth salutation that confirms the mutual bond between him and Willard. A "one of a kind" keepsake, this is truly a scenario whereby "personalization" resides as a standout superlative, effectively transcending time to an era some 86 years ago when the Bambino gifted this signed image to his very close friend, legendary cartoonist Frank Willard!

MIN BID $2,500
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