April 5th Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/6/2013
On July 6, 1983 the U.S. Postal Service issued one of the most popular stamps ever offered - the Babe Ruth commemorative. Depicted hitting one of his 714 home runs, this attractive 20 cent stamp was first issued on the 50th anniversary of the first All-Star Game in which Ruth hit the very first home run. This collection contains a stunning variety of 211 different first day covers, each containing a different illustration, photo or graphic depiction of Babe Ruth. All but two of the covers are postmarked “July 6, 1983, Chicago IL 60607 - First Day of Issue”. three covers have been signed including one by Mickey Mantle, another by Tony Cuccinello (3 time All-Star and contemporary of Ruth) and Jimmie Reese, Babe’s roommate back in the late 1920’s and originator of the phrase “I roomed with The Babe’s suitcase”. Also included in this collection are two non-Ruth First Day of Issue covers. The first is the 1869-1969 Baseball Centennial Issue postmarked from Cincinnati, Oh. The other is a First Day of Issue cover for the Jackie Robinson stamp. Issued in 1982 this was the first USPS stamp to depict an individual ballplayer. The Robinson first day cover features the Barry Halper Collection from which this whole collection was once part of. Also included is a complete un-cancelled 20 stamp block of Ruth stamps and a commemorative USPS postal card that describes the significance of the Ruth stamp. pre-certified by PSA/DNA