(LOT 253)
Extremely Rare 1922 Lou Gertenrich "Babe" Ruth Photo Montage (SGC VG 3) - Possibly the only Known "Ruth Photo Montage" Lou Gertenrich Example Extant!
Now here is one you don't see very often and may never see again! Presented here is the ever-elusive SGC VG 3 1922 Babe Ruth Photo Montage pose including the near-impossible Lou Gertenrich ad back. SGC's prestigious census report clearly indicates this is the SOLE encapsulated example with no Ruth Photo Montage Gertenrich's listed on the PSA "Pop" chart. While PSA does list three "Holding Bird" Gertenrich's, not a single "Montage" has found its way into a PSA holder. Obviously, any examples of the ultra-rare 1922 Lou Gertenrich subjects seldom surface for the taking, let alone one that represents the "Sultan of Swat's" unique specimen. The 1922 Lou Gertenrich cards utilized a 120-subject checklist, similar to the characteristics of the previous year's E121 80-subject set. It come as little surprise that candy manufacturers jumped on the Babe Ruth bandwagon in the early 1920's, utilizing his unparalleled success when issuing their various sets. In fact, the 1922 candy card issues included the following three Babe Ruth subjects: the "Holding Bird, Holding Ball" and the popular "Photo Montage" portraying three different images on single card. Entering 1922, Ruth had turned the baseball world upside down via his mammoth round-trippers, walloping 54 dingers in 1920 and breaking that record with an unfathomable 59 homers in 1921. Revolutionizing baseball via his uncontested home run prowess, the "Babe's" unmatched popularity led to a myriad of companies utilizing his hallowed name as a sound marketing tool to propel their brand's success. This "Bambino" offering provides superb aesthetics for the grade, with the assessment primarily due to VG corner wear and some upper border soiling. The three hallowed poses (including Ruth "Portrait Bust" and "Bat over Shoulder" images) all depict brilliant contrast/clarity, with the classic illustration revealing atypical near-perfect positioning. Of extreme significance is the super eclectic Lou Gertenrich ad back that includes a portrait pose of the former MLB player. Right-fielder Gertenrich player in three official games with the Milwaukee Brewers (1901) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1903), ending his brief MLB stature with a single hit in six plate appearances. His name is scripted in bold Olde English across the top, with a baseball diamond line drawing affixed directly beneath Gertenrich's name. Along the bottom, a bold caption reads as follows: "THE BASEBALL PLAYER – CANDY MANUFACTURER", the final superlative for a "one of a kind" cardboard marvel reflecting no obtrusive surface flaws. Any early 1920's Babe Ruth caramel card is super desirable to say the least, let alone this unique Photo Montage Gertenrich marvel that synonymous with Ruth's pinnacle stature, stands alone as the sole example on any professional grading service's "Pop" Chart!

MIN BID $5,000
_