Specializing in Sports & Americana Memorabilia,
Vintage Photography & Rock 'n' Roll.

Search


April 2007 Catalog  >  Sports  >  Baseball Autographs

< previous lot  |  next lot >

Lot 557: Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson Signed Baseball

ITEM DESCRIPTION

 
Reserve: $1,500.00
Winning Bid: $8,200.29
Price Realized: $9,799.35
Auction Date:5/3/2007 9:00 PM EST

On August 23, 1942, a double header pregame attraction featuring Walter Johnson pitching to Babe Ruth drew 69‚000 fans for the Yankees vs Senators game at Yankee Stadium that provided $80‚000 for Army-Navy relief. Proving that he still had "it" after all those years, Ruth hit the fifth pitch into the right field stands and then added one more shot for good measure before circling the bases. This Spalding 166 Official Association baseball has been signed in black fountain pen by the HOF stars of that exhibition, Babe Ruth (sweet spot) and Walter Johnson (bottom panel). Also signed on the side panel by the umpire who called the exhibition, Billy Evans, the youngest man ever to be employed as a Major League umpire. Evans once fought Ty Cobb under the grandstand after Cobb challenged him following two close called outs at the plate. Both the Ruth and Johnson can display as nice singles. Ball is cream colored with stunningly clear, bold signatures that average a grade of 8.5 to near-9.

BIDDING

The bidding for this lot has ended.


< previous lot  |  next lot >