(LOT 2)
Magnificent Babe Ruth Single-Signed to: "a U.S. Ambassador" Official A.L. William Harridge Baseball – Beckett 9 AUTO Grade; PSA 8 AUTO Grade; JSA LOA
SINGLE-SIGNED RUTH!!! This outstanding Babe Ruth single-signed baseball was scripted by the great Bambino on a stellar Official American League William Harridge baseball. Signed "Babe Ruth" in bold black fountain pen, the prestigious Beckett Authentication Company (Steve Grad) has appropriately assigned a "9 MINT" assessment for the hallowed autograph that literally jumps off the north panel. Also included are PSA and JSA LOAs, with PSA assigning a somewhat conservative "8 NM-MT" assessment for the timeless script. Personalized to "Paul V. McNutt" in light blue ink on the sweet spot, Beckett's LOA clearly states the inscription was not penned in the hand of Babe Ruth (written in an unknown hand). Yet, most significantly, this extraordinary single-signed marvel presents itself as bona fide "single", with the side panel Babe Ruth signature displaying as the sole handwriting on this highly coveted keepsake.

It is critical to note that Paul V. McNutt was the United States Ambassador to the Philippines from 1946-'47, serving under the Harry S. Truman administration following the end of WWII. Interestingly enough, PSA also indicated the Babe Ruth autograph is consistent with his signing style during the 1946/'47 period, directly tying this remarkable keepsake to McNutt's U.S. Ambassador tenure. While the ball portrays some faint toning, its overall aesthetics emanate near mint quality, with the tightly wound red stitching complimenting the well-preserved horsehide leather. Our utmost compliments to its prior owners who took the necessary steps to preserve a majority of the ball's original integrity. The final superlative is the extremely bold "OFFICIAL – American League Ball – William Harridge Pres." blue stamp on the reverse side sweet spot, with Harridge residing as the Junior Circuit's President from 1931 thru 1959.

It's no secret that a Babe Ruth Official AL signed single-signed baseball stands as one of the quintessential mementos in the sports memorabilia industry. The Sultan of Swat ruled our National Pastime at a level far beyond any other player, actually saving the game from possible disaster due to the fallout of the horrific 1919 Black-Sox scandal. After his historic sale from Boston to New York following the 1919 campaign, Ruth's unparalleled batting prowess forced the Yankees to make him an everyday player whereby he responded in 1920 by walloping a record-breaking 54 homers, actually out-homering nearly every MLB team. He would follow up that season by blasting 59 round-trippers in 1921, proving to the baseball community that his previous campaign was no fluke, with Ruth revolutionizing America's favorite pastime. Ruth would continue his uncanny batting exploits, and in the Yankees iconic 1927 campaign, he belted 60 home runs, a record that stood for 34 years until Maris ultimately eclipsed Ruth's magical mark with 61 dingers in 1961 (this AL record was once again broken in 2022 via Aaron Judge's 62 round-trippers).

In 1935, the Sultan of Swat ended his career with 714 homers, and he will forever stand as baseball's undisputed GOAT, especially considering Ruth was a bona fide Hall of Fame pitcher until his batting excellence forced the Yankees to convert him to an everyday player. It therefore comes as little surprise that collectors pursue his most desirable keepsakes, with this compelling Official AL single-signed baseball sufficing as one of Ruth's finer examples extant. We are sure that once the fortunate winning bidder holds this baseball, their excitement will burst like a ray of sunshine, pushing the sun high up into the heavens to give them another "blue sky - green grass" day of summer. As the ultimate compliment for the Babe's unparalleled diamond feats and persona, we can truly say that for those who knew him, no words were necessary – for those who didn't, no words will ever be adequate!

MIN BID $7,500
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