Lot # 129: Babe Ruth and Christy Walsh Signed Check PSA 8 NM-MT Auto

Category: Cancelled Checks

Starting Bid: $1,500.00

Bids: 14 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Winter Rarities '23 Auction",
which ran from 12/10/2022 12:00 PM to
1/7/2023 7:00 PM




(LOT 129)
Babe Ruth and Christy Walsh Signed Check PSA 8 NM-MT Auto

While some may see the inimitable Babe Ruth as just a big lummox who could hit a baseball farther than any other human being, but little else. However, this assumption could not be further from the truth. With sports agent Christy Walsh, considered the first sports agent, the Babe and Walsh capitalized on Ruth's on-field exploits and ultimately framed him as the most marketable name and face on the planet. The offered extremely rare royalty check written from "The Christy Walsh Syndicate" in the amount of $3,700 to "Geo. H. "Babe" Ruth" is one of the scarcer signed Ruth pieces, even surpassing the rarely surfacing payroll check. As of the dated August 8, 1927, the New York Yankees were leading the American League by 12 games with a 731 record.

They would go on to post a 110-44 record before sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates in four straight of the 1927 World Series. That season Babe Ruth out-homered every team in the American League to finish the year with an astonishing 60 dingers. Walsh and Ruth saw the potential and The Babe endorsed tobacco, soft drinks, candy, cards, ice cream, beer and a multitude of other products. This royalty payment stems from one such lucrative endorsement that made the Babe a very rich man. The reverse of this PSA 8 NM-MT check features the typewritten notation, "On a/c Syndicate Royalty 1927 Account." and signed "GH Ruth" beneath the note in blue fountain pen. The Ruth signature is easily "8-9" strength with Christy Walsh's, also in blue fountain pen, is equal in strength. In 2022 dollars, this equates to nearly $62,000 (approx.) and this was a mere portion the Bambino's significant wealth during the 1920s and '30s. This is a fantastic signed check from arguably the greatest spokesperson of his era, not to mention he greatest ballplayer that ever lived!

MIN BID $1,500
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