Featured here is a multi-signed original (1-of-1) caricature of baseball’s most fabled and recognizable character of all time: Babe Ruth. Sketched in charcoal by the artist who called himself “Zito,” Ruth was honored by the Circus Saints and Sinners Club (CSSC) following his last MLB season with the Boston Braves. The oversized and matted (26.25” wide by 33.5” high) caricature drawing on illustration board was then signed in black ink by not only Ruth – selected as that year’s “Fall Guy” to be roasted in a formal, charitable setting – but all of the organization’s 100-plus living members at that time who were in attendance at the event. This particular luncheon ceremony honoring Ruth was held on October 30, 1935, at the Hotel Gotham in New York City. Ruth’s massive autograph (8/10 in our opinion) rests just below his oversized portrait (13” wide by 18” high) and includes the word “Sincerely” right above his signature. The attached image shows The Babe in full costume receiving a ceremonial crown at the event.
In addition, this lot includes a similar (1-of-1) original caricature artwork honoring legendary boxing champion Jack Dempsey. The Dempsey portrait (at profile) is basically the same size and is also drawn by the artist “Zito”, with Dempsey’s signature just under his chin and that of several dozen CSSC members around the perimeter in various shades of pencil (a few in black ink). One of Babe’s good buddies during their “Roaring Twenties” heyday, Dempsey was also honored by CSSC as a "Fall Guy" although this piece is not dated or notated with the location.
It should be noted that we have removed both pieces of artwork from their original frames and left them displayed within their original mattes. The Ruth piece comes in EX-MT condition with edge wear along the inner matting, a subtle scratch mark across Ruth’s face, and light handling/soiling throughout. The member signatures are not smudged and remain strong perfectly legible. The Dempsey piece comes in lesser VG condition, with a 5” by 2” tear on the bottom left region and significant scratching. Many pencil signatures have smudged, but not Dempsey. Its glass frame broke during shipping, which caused most of this damage.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA for the Ruth autograph. Dempsey pre-certified by PSA/DNA.
Notes: The Circus Saints & Sinners Club of America, Inc., is a national
charitable organization that raises money for local charities and has
fun doing it. The club is a non-sectarian, non-political association of
successful business and professional men with a four-fold purpose: to
perpetuate the cause of entertainment in the spirit of its earliest
form—the circus; promote good fellowship; contribute to worthy charities
and to have fun. The club’s origins date back to 1926 when a small
group of circus enthusiasts in New York City founded the Circus Fans
Association of America. In 1929, several of them resigned their
membership and formed the Circus Saints and Sinners Club of America.