This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/4/2017
In 1934, the Goudey Gum Company had prepared this 8" by 10" photographic proof for a Babe Ruth card to be included in its 1935 premium series. Before production of the card came to fruition, Ruth left the Yankees and the proof was therefore never used. It was to be the basis for Ruth's last card as a member of the New York Yankees. Recognizing its significance, somebody within the Goudey firm opted to have the finished proof framed along with an un-retouched proof photo and hung on the wall at Goudey headquarters, where it remained until the company closed.
The finished proof (top of display) shows extensive retouch work as noted in an accompanying letter from photo expert Steve Peltz. The letter states, "In my opinion, this work was done during the '30's in anticipation of the photo being used for printing procedures ... The Ruth figure was outlined with frisket paper and trimmed for the purpose of airbrushing ... Airbrushing was performed and the piece was actually hand painted with a small retouch brush to highlight the edge of the baseball bat, the pinstripes of the uniform, fabric wrinkles and figure edge highlights': All this work on this ferrotype was for naught, as the Babe suddenly became a member of the Boston Braves in 1935. The photo displayed beneath the finished proof is a similar un-retouched proof photo identified in faint pencil on its reverse, "Goudey Gum Rights - Copying & Redoing Ruth Photo': The writing matches other known proof photos from the Goudey archives. Both photos are remarkably well preserved, and displayed in a double-sided, archival frame, as they were retrieved from Goudey's office wall at the time of their closure. Two different LOAs accompany the piece, one from photo expert Steve Peltz, the other from Dick Dobbins attesting to his experience with other Goudey proofs with similar handwriting on back. Also included is an example of Babe Ruth's 1934 Goudey R309-1 premium in GD-VG condition showing the differences in the finished images. These celebrated proofs received wide publicity throughout the hobby and nationally when their existence was made public in 1990. Copies of numerous articles written about them are included from publications such as SCD, The Boston Herald and The San Francisco Examiner.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.