Offered here is a game used baseball signed by the immortal Babe Ruth. While the signature of Ruth on the sweet spot is faded, the story behind this ball makes this a historical artifact. According to the letter of provenance that accompanies this baseball, Ruth signed this baseball and gave it to then New York Times sportswriter C.D. Costello in 1933. During the 1933 season, Ruth belted 34 home runs, which were career home runs 653 through 686. Costello then gave this ball to his nephew Billy Jens. Billy Jens had possession of this ball until his passing, which was then transferred to his brother Pete Jens, the grandfather of Seth Jens, who provided this letter of provenance. Billy Jens passed away in 1996 and the ball was passed down to his son William, who died in 2000.

The ball was then passed on to Seth and his brother Jesse, who had it stored in a safe in Seattle since 2000. Also included with this amazing ball are two articles from the Billings Gazette from October 14, 1933 and another article from the Roundup Tribune from about the same time. Both articles write about Billy Jens receiving a home run ball signed by Ruth from his uncle C.D. Costello of New York. The does display heavy use and the letter of provenance mentions Billy Jens playing with it, reminiscent of the move “The Sandlot” – minus the big dog. This baseball comes with a LOA from PSA/DNA (AE02981) for Ruth’s signature and the afore mentioned letter of provenance from Seth A. Jens.

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