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Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig & Ernie Banks Triple-Signed OAL Baseball - Full JSA

Lot Number 484

Quantity: Bid Starts: 07/21/2023 12:00:00 
Bid Open: 500.00  Bid Ends: 08/03/2023 22:00:00 
Bid Count: Overtime: 30 Minutes
Currently: 0.00  Time Left: Ended
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Description



"Babe" Ruth's ghost gave Red Sox fans nightmares for decades. It haunted Roger Maris throughout the 1961 season, and even gave a pep talk to Benny "The Jet" Rodriguez in the movie "Sandlot". The "Bambino's" spirit is so ingrained in the game of baseball, that even his autograph has a ghost, and it's seen here with this Hall of Famer triple-signed baseball. 


A mysterious misfortune has resulted in the disappearance of the ink, from what was once a fairly distinct autograph. Located on the sweet spot of a c.1910-1912 Reach Official American League baseball, is an easily recognized Ruth signature, that presents as a thick, ghosted signature image with a few strands of the original ink remaining. Also inhabiting this antique orb, is the east panel signature of Ruth's super-talented teammate Lou Gehrig. This Gehrig autograph has suffered the same fate as Ruth's, however with a bit more of the ink remaining. Located on the west panel, is the signature of Ernie Banks, which miraculously escaped misfortune, to remain a solid ("8") strength example. 


Stitched in red and blue, the ancient ball has factory labeling stamps that remain bold for the most part, with "PAT'D AUG. 31-09" on the reverse sweet spot, below "OFFICIAL American League Ball". The Reach "Trade Mark" logo appears on the panel directly above, and on the panel below, we see "Warranted 5 OZ. 9 IN." . A lengthy disclaimer stamped on the ball's south panel reads in full: "Manufactured Under Payment Sale Licenses At Not Less Than $1.25 Retail, Under Penalty Of Infringement". All characteristics are consistent with Reach baseballs manufactured in the early 1910s, meaning the offered ball would be quite valuable even were it not signed by three legends of the game. 


Accompanying is a full photo LOA from JSA, that pictures the signatures of Ruth and Gehrig prior to the disappearing ink mishap. 

 



 
 
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