Lot 204 email save

Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball Attributed to The

Sign In to see what this sold for

Babe Ruth Single Signed Baseball Attributed to The Last Days of His Life
The quality and condition of the offered Babe Ruth single signed ball make it an immensely appealing artifact, however it is the accompanying provenance that elevates it to an elite status among its kind. As a child, our consignor received the ball as a gift from a family friend. A letter which still accompanies the ball to this day precisely explains it's importance. The letter, dated August 23^rd, 1952 and typed on Staten Island Lodge letterhead, reads;

"My dear little-big Rae:- Let me thank YOU and your Father and Mother for such a lovely birthday card. Have put it carefully away and will show it to you when you get a bit older.

About a year ago a relation of mine was going to give me something

She thought a lot of for Christmas. It seems she was the last nurse that Attended the great Babe Ruth. Just four hours before he died he autographed three base-balls. One for his wife, one for his daughter, and one for his nurse.

I don't know of a nicer little boy to give it to and will mail it to YOU. I hope you will keep it and very often think about the great Babe Ruth and the good things he stood for. Remember me kindly to you Mother and Dad. One of these days will run over and say hello.

Lots of love,

Rae"

In grading and authenticating the ball, PSA/DNA has assigned the Ruth signature a 7/10 and the official Harridge ball itself a 5/10 for a composite grade of 6. In vintage ink, the date "8/14/48," appears on the north panel in an unknown hand, suggesting it may have actually been signed two days before Ruth's passing. LOAs from PSA/DNA (graded 6) and JSA.

View Sotheby's New York next auction.

Similar lots up for auction