(LOT 10)
Extraordinary 1933 Goudey #53 SIGNED Babe Ruth Subject (PSA 8 NM-MT Autograph) – One of Only 6 PSA Authentic Signed #53 Goudey Examples!
The emergence of signed iconic sports cards needs no introduction, with staggering price tags knowing no boundaries. In 2020 and early 2021, the hobby realized some incredible pricing points for some of the most coveted issues, spearheaded by the unprecedented Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig sales from the legendary "Uncle Jimmy Collection." In a Fall 2020 auction, a signed #181 Goudey Ruth realized an absolutely amazing $437K sale, a record setting number for any pre-WWII signed sports card. Yet, that spectacular record sale would soon be a distant memory when in February 2021, an autographed #149 Goudey Ruth fetched an extraordinary $761K, a $74% increase from the previously mentioned $437K record sale. Indeed, the floodgates have surely opened with regard to purchasing a signed Goudey Ruth, with virtually all examples selling in the $150K - $360K range. It would make perfect sense for these previously undervalued Babe Ruth Goudey cards to finally "hit their stride", especially considering modern signed cards such as Mike Trout and LeBron James rookies in 2020 fetched remarkable $3.8 million and $5.2 million figures, respectively.

Since George Herman Ruth merits more accolades than any player who ever graced a baseball diamond, his signed Goudey cards should rightfully be an integral part of this infinite-like pricing surge. With that in mind, it is Memory Lane's distinct pleasure to present this magnificent autographed 1933 #53 Ruth yellow Goudey, with the Bambino providing his "Babe Ruth" script in bold black fountain pen across the classic Yankees pinstripe uniform. One of the boldest signed Ruth Goudey subjects extant, PSA has assigned a somewhat conservative 'NM-MT 8" grade for this legendary signature, and its ultra-rare standing is substantiated by PSA's illustrious population report that only lists 5 other signed #53 Ruth Goudeys! Yet, it is truly the imposing script that "steals the show", and as most enthusiasts can clearly see, it merits a strong argument for being the inaugural #53 Goudey signed Ruth depicting the exalted "Mint 9" autograph assessment. Simply stated, it may be easier to "find a needle in a haystack" than to come across such a bold Babe Ruth signature that can literally be seen across a room. Our utmost compliments to its prior owners, for they all chose to meticulously protect this museum worthy offering from harmful sunlight, most likely securing it in a scrapbook/album for the past 88 years.

Regarding the condition of this hallowed heirloom, the signature has retained nearly all of its original black fountain pen strength (with only some modest lightening of the original ink near the end of "h"), most likely due to its previous placement in an album. This is substantiated by the verso revealing extremely light residue from scrapbook removal, obviously affixed to an album page for maximum protection. Most significantly, the obverse side Ruthian batting illustration portrays superb aesthetics, with the iconic Charles Conlon central image and bright yellow background eluding any serious flaws. For full disclosure, the lower portion of the card has been trimmed off, with a previous owner removing the lower border and "BIG LEAGUE CHEWING GUM" text box, as well as some diagonal creases being situated in the upper left and right quadrants. Yet, of utmost importance is the absolutely finest "Babe Ruth" script we have ever seen on any Ruth autographed Goudey subject. To reiterate, most would agree this arguably "under-graded" Babe Ruth autograph could have easily been awarded the inaugural "9" assessment for any signed 1933 Goudey #53 Ruth. The Uncle Jimmy Ruth Goudey pricing points need no introduction, yet as further evidence of the escalating values for signed Babe Ruth Goudeys, a Winter 2021 auction realized $359K for a #149 subject sporting a PSA 7 autograph grade and zero provenance.

This further justifies how signed Goudey Ruth's carry a seemingly infinite-like pricing potential. When you consider Babe Ruth's unparalleled standing in baseball history as both a stellar pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and unparalleled New York Yankees slugger, his overall stature cannot be overemphasized. Simply stated, the "Sultan of Swat's" sheer existence resides above the game itself, so it should come as little surprise that his scarce signed Goudeys (only 23 signed examples on the PSA "Pop" Charts for all four subjects) are finally receiving the recognition they truly deserve, with each passing sale surging forward similar to the force of an uncontrollable tsunami. Before scratching your head as to why a signed Ruth card could achieve the previously mentioned $761K price tag, keep in mind that modern signed cards such as Tom Brady, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Mike Trout (just to name a few) have easily surpassed the 7-figure mark. That said, the current pricing points of scripted Babe Ruth cards continue to be significantly undervalued, qualifying this esteemed offering as a golden opportunity to capture the obscure #53 Goudey signed Ruth before its value escalates to an unprecedented level. In closing, considering the eye appeal of this "eye-popping" signature stands tall as the "best of the rest", it merits the highest hobby accolades, and a final resting place in one of the foremost autograph or Babe Ruth collections!


MIN BID $25,000
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