Auction Item Details
Lot 567
LOADING IMAGES
Lot Number: 567
Description: Significant 1923 Babe Ruth single signature baseball. Clear coated an lightly toned red and blue stitched "Official League Ball" from a Nassau St., NY Sporting Goods store signed on side panel, "New Yankee Stadium Feb. 14-23 "Babe" Ruth". Salutation and signature range from 4-7 out of 10 with a few areas of fading. According to family history Babe Ruth was staying in New York at a hotel (we have confirmed through research that Ruth was at the Ansonia Hotel in New York) and was asked to come down to the newly built Yankee Stadium by construction workers who were completing work on the new stadium that Ruth had a great part in inspiring. While at the stadium Ruth was hitting a few baseballs and it is believed that the offered ball was hit for a home run into the right field stands. The ball was retrieved by one of the workers who then had Ruth sign the ball. Dating and signature style are all consistent with the family history and Ruth was in New York for some medical attention to a finger and left the Ansonia Hotel on February 15th. In addition the ball clearly has several heavy marks from impact along with several abrasions from contact. Aside from the significance of the Yankee Stadium reference in Ruth's hand it is very possible that this was in fact the first home run ball ever hit in Yankee Stadium (even though unofficial) and almost certainly the first baseball that Ruth ever autographed in the great Yankee ballpark. Includes letter of provenance from Joel Platt and LOA from PSA/DNA J.Spence-S.Grad: VG-EX
Estimated Price: (Estimate Upon Request)
