This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/21/2017
After his phenomenal 1927 season in which he hit 60 home runs and led the Yankees to a 4 game sweep of the Pirates in the World Series, Babe Ruth sat down to share with the world his secrets of how to play baseball. The result was the classic “BABE RUTH’S OWN BOOK OF BASEBALL” published by Putnam in 1928. At the time practically every boy in the United States possessed a copy and it became one off the biggest selling sports books of all-time. This, however, is a First Edition and one of the special 1 of 1000 publisher copies that was signed and numbered by Babe Ruth.
The condition of this volume is outstanding. The dust jacket shows moderate edge wear, mostly on the edges and spine. The Art Deco colors are very bright and the spine is tight. A clear book jacket cover protects the paper jacket. The inside front and back flaps have been trimmed to an angle on the top and bottom and there is some edge discoloration. The cover and first page photo spread shows some scuffing and the area over the binding has surface cracking. The same is said for the inside back cover and last page spread. The signed page has a beautiful “Babe” Ruth signature which has been perfectly preserved. The book is hand numbered “433” in pencil. The page edges show light toning from age. Several of the interior pages show toning and edge creases from being eagerly read throughout the years. The volume is housed in a custom made leather-covered case. A leather bat-ball motif is crafted on the front and gold-leafed lettering is used on the spine. A very desirable signed and numbered copy of the book in which Babe Ruth unveils his secrets of how to play the game.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.