This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2022
No two names in the lore of our National Pastime evoke more reverence than Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Their upbringings, temperaments, and extracurriculars could not have been more different. Yet, all the same, a dozen glorious years as Yankee teammates (1923-34) turned them into larger-than-life figures of mythological proportions and made the pinstripes a symbol of success and royalty. The Bambino and Iron Horse’s stature in the realm of sports memorabilia is similarly unparalleled. A baseball holding each’s unmistakable signature is one of the most coveted collectibles in the hobby. Here we present a premier example with elite aesthetic attributes and nearly unbeatable eye appeal.
The creamy white Official American League (Barnard) baseball with red-and-blue stitching dates to 1929-1931 based on the manufacturer stamping. As usual, Ruth owns the sweet spot while Gehrig commands the west panel. Both signatures are done in black fountain ink averaging 7/10 in strength. The smooth, evenly flowing strokes of Babe’s immaculate calligraphy along with its perfect centering on the sweet spot – combined with the well-preserved ball’s [shellac-free] cleanliness – elevate his autograph to 8/10 in our book. Gehrig’s signature has slightly faded to 6/10 with slightly more toning from human touch on its panel. A superb specimen dual-signed right around the onset of the Great Depression worthy of an aggressive pursuit nearly a century later. Includes full LOA’s from both PSA/DNA and JSA.