The only way Bambino could have made this one in a million bat any more valuable is if he had stuck diamonds into the wood. As it is, the lumber is worth its weight in jewels to Ruth collectors, as it comes with a mind-blowingly rare Babe signature and inscription on the barrel of this hammerhead of a god. Ruth signed many an item large and small to particular people he took a shine to or who had done him favors through the years, but we've never seen such a personalized inscription on a bat barrel, or as large and, well, Ruthian, as this exemplar. In blue ink stretching a good 6" across the barrel, in script lettering about half an inch high, the encomium "To My Friend William A. Gleason, From Babe Ruth" seems to grow each time one looks at it. Surely one of the more memorable and profound of Babe's markers, the signature grades a solid 8 out of a possible 10, flawed only by some splotching of the ink on the "B", as is the case with some of the letters preceding the signatures. But just try and find a larger sized Ruth signature, especially on a bat with a personalized message. The bat, as well, is a beaut, a Louisville Slugger approx. 34.5" with a deep golden glow from end to end. A few marks cross the barrel, though it is uncertain whether these are actual concussive marks from balls being hit in a game by Ruth, which may be the case. Hint of tape residue on the handle. Condition is EX. Considering the signature and inscription, an out of this world display piece.