(LOT 285)
1931 W517 #20 Babe Ruth "Portrait" Blue Tint (SGC NM/MT 8) – "1 of 2" SGC Subjects; HIGHEST GRADED SGC Example!
As Babe Ruth entered the 1930's his once unparalleled achievements slowly started to diminish, with his imminent retirement finally taking place as a member of the Boston Braves in 1935. Still, in the early '30's, Ruth managed to put up some impressive numbers. 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. With that in mind, presented here is one of those few 1930's Ruth issues, the popular W517 "blue tint" Portrait Babe Ruth in a breathtaking SGC NM/MT 8 holder. Currently, SGC's prestigious census report lists only a single other example at this highly touted plateau, with both of these SGC 8's standing tall as the HIGHEST GRADED copies! 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, and while there are two Babe Ruth subjects to choose from (the other being a #4 pitching pose), this #20 portrait image of the "Babe" has clearly established itself as the more valuable subject. Neatly hand-cut from its original 3-card strip, a truly remarkable Ruth "blue-tint" portrait image portrays impeccable resolution and contrast. The "Sultan of Swat's" enduring pose exhibits atypical near-perfect centering between super clean borders. Both surfaces are extremely clean, and the corners exhibit super sharp right-angled formations. Easily meriting its outstanding NM/MT 8 assessment, it joins a sole other SGC copy as the finest of its kind, and a fitting testament for a player whose unparalleled accomplishments will stand the test of time!

MIN BID $1,500
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