Countless photographers sought Babe Ruth as the subject of their work during his heyday. Who could blame them? The Bambino was incredibly photogenic and carried himself with a larger-than-life persona that came out beautifully on black-and-white prints from the era. What makes this original Type I image so special is that it captures Ruth from a rare vantage point, with another photographer in frame taking his picture. A relaxed Ruth in half uniform is posing, bat on shoulder, inside an empty Yankee Stadium for the pictured photographer, who just so happens to be his Yankee teammate and fellow Hall-of-Famer, Herb Pennock. Even friends and teammates were so enamored with the Sultan of Swat that they wanted his photo!
Easily one of the most interesting, unique shots of The Babe we have ever seen, the photo was snapped on October 2, 1928, a few days before the Yankees hosted the Cardinals for Game 1 of the Fall Classic. New York would go on to sweep St. Louis for their second straight World Series title. Both quality and condition are exceptional. Some light surface waves on the left side alongside two tiny wrinkles do nothing to detract from its overall aesthetic beauty. The reverse is stamped International Newsreel with its original paper caption.
DATE/YEAR/ERA: October 2, 1928
GENERATION: First (original negative)
ISSUER/NEWS STAMP: International Newsreel
CAPTIONED: Yes
DIMS: 6" x 8"
Encapsulated by PSA/DNA, Type I