Presented here is an extraordinary Lou Gehrig single-signed baseball, fresh to the market, that dates to the 1927 season, a glorified campaign that saw the humble first baseman take home A.L. MVP honors and spearhead what is widely regarded as the greatest baseball team ever. The ’27 Bronx Bombers and their “Murderer’s Row” started strong and never looked back, reeling off a then-record 110 wins before sweeping the Pirates in the World Series. The sweet-swinging lefty batted .373 with 47 home runs and an MLB-best 173 RBI in his breakout season, setting the tone for a legendary career so unfairly cut short.
Just as Gehrig lived in Ruth’s gigantic shadow on the field, he would almost always concede the sweet spot to the Babe when signings baseballs. The Iron Horse was perfectly content playing second fiddle to The Great Bambino, and graciously found a home for his John Hancock on a side panel – even on his single-signed spheres. Such is the case here. On the east panel above the ever important Ban Johnson stamp, the Yankee immortal has signed in fountain pen that rates a 5-6/10 in boldness with even better eye appeal. Gehrig had a clean and elegant autograph, his loopy ‘L’ and ‘G’ indicative of the charming and courageous man he was. The lightly spot-toned OAL ball remains in EX/EX-MT condition, with every Spalding/Reach manufacturing stamp as clear as can be. This certainly gives it a leg up when compared to other ’27 Gehrig single-signed examples – which can be counted on one hand – that have surfaced.
How are we so sure this ball dates to the historic ’27 season? For one, Ban Johnson’s tenure as A.L. President ended after 1927. More telling, according to the Official American League Baseball Dating Index, the patent date was changed to "PAT'D. MAR. 17-25" in 1926; and "The Cushioned Cork Center" replaced "The Cork Center" on the south panel in 1927. As far as provenance is concerned, our consignor’s grandfather attended many games at old Yankee Stadium in the 1920’s. On one very fortunate occasion, as the family story goes, he was able to procure two “game” balls which he promptly took to Gehrig and Ruth (Lot 103) after the game for their solo autographs.
As fate would have it, Gehrig single-signed balls are far more coveted in the hobby than those of his larger-than-life teammate. Hopefully, this incredible piece of baseball and Americana history will get the price it deserves.
Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA.