Most ultra-high grade Babe Ruth memorabilia come from the famous baseball player’s retirement years, so what makes this particular Sultan of Swat item truly amazing is the fact that it is a high grade piece from the champion’s early years. The first proof of its early origin is the fact that the autograph on the ball comes with quotation marks before and after the “Babe” moniker.
How is this relevant? Well, dedicated fans know that the nickname became a true brand name after George Herman Ruth Jr.’s historic sixty home run season in 1927. This was when the quotation marks were dropped and the name Babe Ruth became an undisputable symbol of baseball genius. The signed baseball is not only an early example, it is also the highest grade known so far. It boasts an 8/10 rating for the ball, and a 9/10 autograph grade by the PSA/DNA.
Due to its undeniable quality and incredible appeal for passionate collectors, the autographed baseball is estimated to fetch at least $120,000, but no one can tell just how high the price can get. The auction will be held by Heritage Auctions in October.
