This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
Though it doesn't hurt to produce a resume that includes twelve home-run crowns while leading the American League in runs eight times, RBI five times, on-base percentage ten times, slugging percentage thirteen times and a batting title, Babe Ruth likely would still have been one of the most beloved ballplayers of his day even if he didn't shatter just about every offensive major-league record over his 22-year career. Because as much of a juggernaut as he was on the field, he was equally generous away from the diamond. Always willing to please an adoring fan, the Babe made appearances and offered autographs right up until his passing in 1948. The featured ball was signed by Ruth sometime during the final years of his life, possibly after having received the diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma which would claim his life. This OAL (Harridge) ball is scarce in its own right as it carries the arched PAT RE 17200 MARCA REGISTRADA stamping with the "two star" variation on the league stamp that places it as a very early and limited 1943 production (a third star was added under Harridge's name shortly after the start of the 1943 season). The Babe's black steel tip fountain pen signature across the sweet spot is both stunning and surreal, perfectly matching all well-known examples of Ruth's signature in both size and form. The black ink is clean and bold, delivering a deep presentation of "Babe" with a continuation into the trademark looping "R" and the finishing of the baseball legend's surname. The ink tails off a little at the end, no doubt due to the liberal quality of ink used at the start, and displays with pinpoint accuracy across the sweet spot. The rarity of this particular issue ball is even further enhanced by how well-preserved it is, with the clean cream-colored surface housing moderately faded but clearly legible markings from the manufacturer. There are plenty of single-signed Babe Ruth balls out there; in fact we've offered quite a few over the years. But we've never had one that offered the combination of a bold autograph, a limited production model ball and double certification by PSA/DNA and JSA.