(LOT 1731)
Classic 1932 Babe Ruth "Portrait" PSA Type 1 Encapsulated American Press Photo Measures Approx. 5" x 6-3/4" (Incl. PSA Type 1 LOA)
No baseball related facial illustration could possibly be more recognizable than George Herman "Babe" Ruth, with this mesmerizing 1932 PSA Type 1 photo standing as one of Ruth's most imposing images extant. Measuring approximately 5" x 6-3/4", the somewhat sepia-toned illustration portrays a stoic Ruth portrait pose that symbolizes this "giant of a man" and all he meant to our National Pastime. Donning his famous Yankee pinstripes, Ruth's prime has somewhat passed him by, as he seemingly stares into an unknown future, and what will potentially lie ahead for the grandest slugger of them all.

As we all know, the 1932 campaign would see Ruth lead the Yankees back to the World Series, with the "Sultan of Swat" mustering up another extraordinary season via his 41 round-trippers, 137 runs batted in, .341 batting average and stupendous 1.150 OPS. Of course, the highlight of the '32 season would be Ruth's iconic "called shot" that would come in the fifth inning of Game #3 at Wrigley Field off Cubs' bewildered hurler Charlie Root. In lieu of this historic home run, the Yankees ultimate four-game sweep of the overmatched Cubs would actually be considered an anti-climax, with the Bambino's exploits once again standing front and center. One look at this somewhat "haunting" Ruthian pose could make one's heart "skip a beat", as he seems to be in a state of complete and utter fixation.

Well-centered between four relatively clean borders, the glossy surface provides a sparkling visual appeal, somehow managing to elude any glaring flaws over its nearly 90-year existence. The only notable blemishes are a few faint wrinkles situated near the upper right and lower left corners, none of which detract from the breathtaking central image aesthetics. The final exclamation point is the verso's rather large AMERICAN PRESS PHOTO credit stamp, with this ultra-rare image taken during the season when Ruth would turn the baseball world upside down via his aforementioned "called shot" homer. Babe Ruth will forever stand as the greatest of all baseball players with his remarkable accomplishments from both the pitching rubber and batter's box, justifying the need for advanced collectors to pursue his most coveted artifacts.

Although since surpassed, his 60 and 714 single season and lifetime homer marks, respectively, still stand as iconic achievements, with the "Bambino" outhomering virtually all of the American and National League teams in the early 1920's. It is the "long-ball" that changed America's Pastime forever, with Ruth's mere presence literally saving the game from the infiltration of greed and corruption from the infamous "Black Sox" 1919 World Series scandal. Indeed, "The Babe" unequivocally stands above the game itself, substantiating why this momentous Ruth "headshot" image will forever reside as a steadfast tribute for everything he truly represents to an adoring nation!

MIN BID $800
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