Lot # 2125: Lou Gehrig Signed "Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's" Photograph PSA/DNA NM-MT 8

Original photo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig issued as a souvenir during their famous "Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's" barnstorming tour, inscribed by Lou Gehrig in black fountain pen. PSA/DNA has encapsulated the photo, grading the signature NM-MT 8. The 8 x 10-inch photo captures the two stars posing together in their respective tour uniforms and features the facsimile signatures of both Ruth and Gehrig, as issued. Gehrig's actual inscription appears above his facsimile example and reads "To John/With Kindest Regards/Cordially/Lou Gehrig." The Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's barnstorming tour was the brainchild of Christy Walsh, who was Ruth's and Gehrig's longtime agent. In 1927, Walsh, looking to capitalize on the excitement generated by the duo's season-long home-run duel, arranged to have the pair tour the country right after the World Series. The tour, heralded as "Ruth vs. Gehrig - The Battle For The Home Run Title Continues," began in New York and made its away across the country, ending in California. To ensure its success, Walsh wisely scheduled nearly all of the games in cities without Major League clubs, thus providing those fans with a rare opportunity to see the two stars in person. Walsh also arranged it so that Ruth and Gehrig were the only two players traveling to each town. Their respective teams at each venue were made up of local players. The tour was such a huge success (most games ended prematurely due to fans rushing onto the field to get closer to their idols) that it was repeated again in 1928 with equal fanfare. In addition to the gate revenues, one of the other main sources of income during the tour came from the sale of these special tour photos. These photos were available for sale on the tour for $1, which was quite a sum at the time. Ruth and Gehrig, of course, were available at each barnstorming game to sign the photos. The photo displays a chipped lower left corner and minor toning front and back. In Fair condition overall. The stamping on the reverse reads "Christy Walsh Management." Despite the popularity of the tour, signed examples of these special tour photos (by either Ruth or Gehrig or both) are quite rare and with good reason have always been highly prized by collectors. This is an especially desirable example given Gehrig's lengthy inscription. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.