Ruth, George Herman ("Babe") | An outstanding Babe Ruth single-signed baseball

The Passion of American Collectors: Property of Barbara and Ira Lipman

Ruth, George Herman ("Babe")

A Babe Ruth single-signed baseball, ca.1938–1942

GoldSmith Official 97 League for use in the Southern Association, signed across the sweet spot "Babe Ruth" and with facsimile signature of Trammell Scott, President of the Southern Association; signature is extremely fine, ball with some light handing wear.

Ruth's signature can be dated to the period of Trammell Scott's tenure as head of the Southern Association. He was elected to a one-year term in 1938, reelected to a three-year term in 1939, and elected for another single-year term in 1942. Scott arrived late to the Southern Association's 1942 winter meeting to find that he had been ousted in favor of Billy Evans. Scott was so distraught that less than three weeks later he took his own life.

PROVENANCE

Robert Edward Auctions, 2 May 2009, lot 953