Auction Item Details
Lot 282
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Lot Number: 282
Description: Rare c.1920 Babe Ruth autographed baseball (with others) - likely related to his early barnstorming tour. Red and blue stitched "Thos. E. Wilson" brand "American League Ball" has been signed on the side panel, "Babe Ruth." The diminutive style dates to his earliest days with the New York Yankees and is both exceedingly rare and highly sought after. Additional signatures incl. Carl Mays, Lefty O'Doul, Fred Hoffman, Jeff Tesreau, and Hank Thormahlen. All are done in fountain pen with Ruth the strongest (6-6/7 out of 10) and the balance faded a touch (5-6/7). Lefty O'Doul is only partially visible. Ball itself displays mild toning with areas of wear and scuffing. While the bulk of this group played on the 1920 Yankees, it is more likely that the ball is related to an East Coast barnstorming tour, headlined by Ruth and Mays, undertaken the same year which Tesreau (whom was not with New York) is known to have taken part. Material related to this tour, which caused much controversy and ended up with Ruth being disciplined by Commissioner Landis, is very rare with only a few promotional postcards known. An interesting and substantive piece with noteworthy historical context. Includes 4"x5" period image noted on back as showing O'Doul, Hoffman, and spectator at Bronx Field in Oct. of 1920 and full LOA from JSA: GD-VGEstimated Price Range: ($3,000-$5,000)
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