October Legends and Americana Ending November 14th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2015
Encapsulated and assessed “Authentic” by PSA/DNA. Babe Ruth and his adopted daughter have both signed this autograph book page, with a notation in the top-right corner indicating that the signing took place on October 16, 1934. The bright, manila-colored sheet allows optimal projection of the Babe’s signature and salutation (“Sincerely / Babe Ruth”), as well as its “Judy Ruth” scripting in pencil. “Judy” (1916- ) was the daughter of Ruth’s second wife, Claire Merritt Hodgson Ruth; the girl became widely known in adult life as Julia Ruth Stevens. The location of the signing is specified as, “C.P.R. Station / North Portal,” referencing the North Portal Station of the Canadian Pacific Railroad in Saskatchewan, just across the border from North Dakota. Ruth and his family were en route to Vancouver, along with MLB stars including Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx, Charlie Gehringer, Connie Mack and others, where they were to embark on a boat to Japan for their historic 1934 tour. Released by New York in February 1935, it is unclear whether Ruth knew at this point that he had played his last MLB game as a member of the Yankees. At 39 years old, however, he was clearly on the downside of his remarkable career. The offered page, measuring 4½” X 6”, reveals a simultaneously attractive and intriguing signature example by the revered Hall of Famer. The viewer of this piece – conscious of the timing and circumstances surrounding the signing – can’t help but be drawn into empathy for Ruth in his time of transition. Aesthetically, this signed relic is a true marvel, but its evocative character contributes a rare and irresistible, disarmingly human dimension, as well. Accompanied by an LOA from PSA/DNA (Z00473).