The phrase "Holy Grail" is often overused in our hobby, yet every so often a piece comes along that is so exemplary, so stunning, that even the most jaded collector would agree that "Holy Grail" is indeed a worthy descriptor. This is one of those times. Out of the entire category of "Game Used/Game Signed Bats", what one artifact throughout the entire history of the game would be considered the penultimate one to obtain? Most of us would immediately blurt out "Babe Ruth". And that is exactly what we have here: a game used and signed Babe Ruth bat. What's more, this bat dates from the 1921 to 1931 period, a decade in which Babe Ruth was the most recognized athlete - maybe even person - in the world.

     This Hillerich & Bradsby bat measures 34.875 inches and weighs in at a Ruthian 37.6 ounces. It's with bats of this specification that The Babe broke, then set, then broke and set again home run records year after year. Just gripping this bat in your hands sends a thrill through you like no other piece of sports memorabilia. The left hand side of the barrel’s ash surface is covered with ball marks and stitch impressions consistent with the way the Babe held the bat from his left-handed stance with its label facing away from his body. The barrel also bears a brunt of indentations, dings and divots from where The Babe banged out the dirt from his cleats before each trip to the plate. The wood has taken on a deep warm color from Ruth's tobacco juice, hours of honing the pores and eighty decades of age. Holding this bat is like holding history in your very hands. Then one turns the bat so as to look at the back barrel - and there we see the most famous autograph in the world - "Babe Ruth" scripted in black fountain pen, further authenticating that The Babe did indeed hold this bat “in his hands.” The great Bambino’s bold and confident autograph completes this stunning piece of baseball history.

     A game used and signed bat from the sweet spot of Babe Ruth's career indeed it is the Holy Grail. Game used experts MEARS have thoroughly examined this bat and have given it their Letter of Authenticity (301348) giving it the almost perfect score of A9. The bat experts at PSA/DNA have also examined the bat and describe it as " used by Ruth during the referenced labeling period. The bat exhibits excellent use and possesses identifiable player use characteristics." and further pinpoints the bat to the 1925-26 seasons, most likely from a May 1926 order, a season in which he led the A.L. with 47 HR, 153 RBI and batted a whopping .372 while leading the Yankees to an A.L. Pennant. Comes with JSA LOA for autograph.

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