Sold For $7,349
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This 7.5 x 9.5 Ruthian treasure was produced by none other than renowned sports photographer George Burke. The impeccable, vintage pearl-finish photograph pictures Ruth sporting his Yankees garments, and swinging away at the plate for the watchful eyes (and lenses) of fans and photographers looking-on. Adding to the resplendent quality of the keepsake is the Bambino’s scripting of “To Jackie from Babe Ruth,” which was neatly signed in vintage black fountain pen along its left side. In the background, we find the stadium to be draped in bunting, which is a clear indication that the photo hails from an important baseball event in Chicago. Add to this interesting revelation a handful of important facts: Ruth wore this style of Yankees road attire from 1922-1926, then again from 1931-1934. The Yankees never played the Junior Circuit’s White Sox at Comiskey Park until May or June in the years of 1931 to 1934, thus Opening Day at Comiskey during that span is out of the question. Could it be the 1933 All-Star Game? No. For that Midsummer Classic, “New York” was not identified on Ruth’s uniform as it is in this picture. We arrive at an exciting conclusion: the only games played by the Yankees in Chicago during the years 1931 to 1934, and when flag bunting was present, was the 1932 World Series! Thus, we happily discern that Ruth is taking this photo-op in venerable Wrigley Field on either October 1st or 2nd, as the Yankees readied to face the Chicago Cubs. As history so famously notes, in the fifth inning of the October 1, 1932 contest, Ruth launched his famous “called shot” home run off Cubs moundsman Charley Root. This incredible and significant remembrance bears surface dents and a fleck of emulsion loss to the right of Ruth’s mid-section. Its lower left corner is missing the tip, and a trivial and tiny tear is evident at the bottom border. Scattered areas of light surface marks and soiling are also present, but an assessment of very good to fine condition prevails. Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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