(Hunt Auctions Press Release-5/8/19) Items from the personal collection of New York Yankees icon and Hall of Fame member Babe Ruth to be offered directly from the Ruth family
Hunt Auctions is honored to announce a highly significant offering of historic baseball artifacts and personal materials from the collection of New York Yankees’ legend Babe Ruth. The collection has largely remained unknown to the general public and includes hundreds of pieces relating to the life and career of the most iconic player in the history of the game.
Babe Ruth ascended to the highest pinnacle in the sport of baseball from humble beginnings as a troubled young boy who entered St. Mary’s Industrial School for Boys at the age of 7. Ruth quickly became noticed as an outstanding young player under the guidance of Brother Mathias Boutlier and was signed by Baltimore Orioles owner, Jack Dunn, in 1914. After brief Minor League stints with Baltimore and Providence clubs, Babe Ruth began his Major League Baseball career with the Boston Red Sox. Ruth would go on to play for 22 years primarily with the Red Sox and famously the New York Yankees after a sale to the team in 1920. His acumen as a dominant pitcher and penchant to hit tape measure home runs quite literally changed the manner in which the game was played. Babe would end his career in 1935 with statistics and a resume that had not previously been seen in the game of baseball: 714 Home Runs, .342 batting average, 2,213 Runs Batted In, Seven Time World Champion, 12 Time AL Home Run leader, and election into the inaugural class of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
While the career accomplishments of Babe Ruth on the field rank at the highest level of achievement, it was his general popularity and larger-than-life character that cemented his legacy as a seminal figure in the history of American popular culture. Ruth lived his life just as he played it on the field, with a charisma not seen before—or since—in American sports. Babe became the most popular figure in the country during the roaring 1920s era inclusive of numerous off the field business endorsements. Through all of Ruth’s popularity, he never forgot his humble beginnings and consistently devoted time to charitable causes—particularly those relating to the needs of children. It is due in no small part to the beloved icon’s status, honored by generations of fans, that he remains the most popular athlete in American history.
“The legacy and significance of Babe Ruth to the game of baseball and American popular culture is unmatched by any other figure in the history of this country,” remarked David Hunt, President Hunt Auctions. “We are completely humbled for this opportunity afforded to our company by the Ruth family to present this previously unknown archive of materials to Babe’s adoring fans. The importance of this offering cannot be overstated to which we fully expect record pricing levels in numerous categories.”
“My grandfather, Babe Ruth, remains a guiding force in my life today,” said Linda Ruth Tosetti, Granddaughter of Babe Ruth. “The way he lived his life and its effect on others continues to amaze me every day. For many years, we have cherished the items within his personal collection and have been blessed to represent his legacy through our many family endeavors. The decision to share items from his personal collection was made with careful consideration and the intent to further his legacy within a new generation of baseball fans. Babe’s collection has remained largely unknown to the general public and we felt it was time to bring these amazing pieces of his life to light. There could be no other place to showcase these items than Yankee Stadium and we are also thrilled to be able to benefit related charitable entities through the sale of these items.”
“This special auction will provide the opportunity to share some of the Ruth family memorabilia that has remained in our possession since the Babe’s passing in 1948,” said Tom Stevens, the Babe’s grandson. “None of these items have been previously offered to the collecting public. The Babe lived a life that was meaningful to millions of fans for many diverse reasons. Perhaps one of the most important was that he offered hope and inspiration during the depths of the depression, because despite his humble beginnings, Babe Ruth grew up to become the very embodiment of the American Dream. And make no mistake, he is still as relevant today as ever. This offering of items provides glimpses of that life, in and out of baseball. I sincerely hope that they bring great pleasure to the winning bidders as they did my family, while generating some income for some very worthwhile charities.”
Highlight Items from the Ruth Collection will include:
- Babe Ruth New York Yankees Professional Model cleats (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
- Babe Ruth 60th Home Run Autographed display piece (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
- Babe Ruth 1934 Tour of Japan Champion Batsman presentational trophy (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
- Lou Gehrig signed and inscribed photograph to Babe Ruth (Est. $100,000-$200,000)
- 1934 Tour of Japan team autographed photograph (Est. $75,000-$150,000)
- Babe Ruth 1935 Boston Braves autographed final MLB contract agreement (Est. $75,000-$125,000)
- Babe Ruth personal check ledger with related signed documents (Est. $50,000-$100,000
The live auction will take place at Yankee Stadium on June 15, 2019 with several special advance preview events in planning. Fittingly for an auction celebrating the life and legacy of Babe Ruth, a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Hutton Settlement and New Hampshire Charitable Foundation charities.
With permission of the Ruth family and additional related charitable donations, an extremely limited number of elite-level New York Yankees related additions will be featured within the auction. As such, Hunt Auctions is privileged to announce the inclusion of a Babe Ruth New York Yankees professional model road jersey dating to the pinnacle of his iconic Hall of Fame career. The jersey is one of a scant handful of authentic Ruth New York Yankees professional model jerseys documented to exist and ranks among the finest known of that limited population. The grey flannel jersey retains its original “Yankees” team name across the front which is the rarest and most desirable in team history as it was the only instance in which their iconic nickname was printed on the uniforms. “Ruth” last name indicator is chain stitched into the collar with appropriate Spalding manufacturer’s tagging remaining intact.
“The scarcity and desirability of this particular Babe Ruth jersey simply cannot be overstated. Ruth game worn jerseys are the pinnacle of collecting and investment pursuits within the marketplace with the current offering marking a generational opportunity. We fully expect demand and bidding interest befitting the greatest figure in the history of the sport.” Said David Hunt, President Hunt Auctions.
Babe Ruth New York Yankees professional model jerseys have long been regarded as the “white whale” of the historic vintage baseball memorabilia world. To the best of our knowledge, approximately six total specimens of quality are known to exist inclusive of the example within the Baseball Hall of Fame and the offered jersey. This notable scarcity due to several factors including the general rarity of Major League player worn uniforms from the period in which Ruth played (1915-35). As such, on the rare occasions when offered within the marketplace the pricing has increased over time with the most recent example selling in excess of $4,000,000. Given the quality of this particular example, dating period, and rarity we expect that record pricing may be approached or exceeded. Pre-sale estimate for the jersey is upon request.
Highlight additions will include:
- Babe Ruth New York Yankees professional model road jersey c.1928-30 (Estimate Upon Request)
- Babe Ruth professional model “notched” Home Run bat c.1928-29 (Est.$750,000-$1,500,000)
- Babe Ruth “Bustin Babes” barnstorming travel case c.1920s (Waite Hoyt provenance) (Est. $50,000-$100,000)
- Significant 1923 New York Yankees World Championship presentational Spalding trophy (Est. $100,000-$200,000)
- Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat c.1928 (PSA/DNA GU9) (Est. $100,000-$200,000)
- 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card (PSA 6 EX-MT) (Est. $40,000-$60,000)
- 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth baseball card (PSA/DNA 8 NM-MT) (Est. $150,000-$200,000)
- 1955 Mickey Mantle NY Yankees AL Championship ring (Est. $200,000-$300,000
Hunt Auctions is also excited to announce the addition of a grouping of materials from the personal collection of New York Yankees icon and Hall of Fame member Mickey Mantle. The materials have been consigned directly by the Mantle family and include several significant pieces relating to Mantle’s storied career. Among the grouping are a very significant cache of handwritten letters as sent by Mickey to his wife Merlyn during the seminal period of his first few years in professional baseball in 1950-51. The letters include fascinating content relating to Mantle’s Minor League experiences, rookie season with the Yankees, and even his excitement to have met several movie stars during a trip to LA. He writes, in part, “yesterday about nine of us went through M.G.M. + 20th Century Fox Studios. We met a whole bunch of movie stars including – Spencer Tracy, Gene Kelly, Jane Greer, Betty Gable, Debbie Reynolds…”
“We hope these items can give a glimpse into the personal life and career of our father.” Said David and Danny Mantle, Sons of Mickey and Merlyn Mantle. “Our father believed his greatest accomplishment was to have played for the New York Yankees during his entire 18-year career, both with and against some of the most remarkable players in the history of baseball. The one thing he valued above all else, however, was how those he played with viewed him as a fellow player. Being acknowledged by those he played with as “a great teammate,” meant more to him than any of his individual achievements. This honor is listed on his monument alongside his many other achievements in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium, and stands as testimony to the legacy he left behind.
In 2002, our family was honored with the dedication shown by the Mickey Mantle School for the benefit of its disabled students. The school bearing our father’s name has grown very close to our hearts and we feel certain he would have held this school in great esteem as he cared greatly for the youth of our nation. We are extremely pleased that a portion of the auction proceeds will benefit this worthy cause.”
The items from the Mickey Mantle Collection will be featured within the Babe Ruth Collection live auction to be held at Yankee Stadium on June 15, 2019. Each item will include a letter of provenance from the Mantle family and a portion of the Mantle Family Collection will benefit the Mickey Mantle School.
“The inclusion of these incredible items from the Mickey Mantle Collection within this historic New York Yankees event could not be more appropriate.” Remarked David Hunt, President Hunt Auctions. “From 1951 until 1968 Mickey gave everything he had for the fans of the New York Yankees and now we will see those treasured items return to Yankee Stadium as part of this iconic auction.”
Additional highlight items from the Mantle Collection include:
-Mickey Mantle handwritten letters c.1950-51 (Est. $7,500-$10,000each)
-Mickey Mantle professional model baseman’s mitt c.1966 (Est. $100,000-$200,000)
-Mickey Mantle 1978 New York Yankees World Series ring (Est. $30,000-$50,000)
-Mickey Mantle 1975 All-Star ring (Est. $15,000-$25,000)
-Mickey Mantle’s 511th Home Run baseball (Est. $20,000-$30,000)
For more information and online bidding please visit www.huntauctions.com or call 610.524.0822. Hunt Auctions is currently accepting consignments for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game Play Ball Park Live Auction to be held in Cleveland, OH in July 2019.
