Lot # 12: Signed 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth PSA FAIR 1.5 (MK) with NM 7 Signature

Although Babe Ruth's signature is by no means rare (he probably signed more items than any player in history), that does not imply that anything he signed is common. A perfect example is this extraordinary piece: a 1933 R319 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth signed by him on the front. PSA/DNA has encapsulated the card, grading the signature NM 7 and the card FAIR 1.5 (MK). Ruth has scripted "Sincerely/Babe Ruth" in black fountain pen across his image. As most collectors are aware, Ruth-signed 1933 Goudey cards are scarce. Card #144, which features the Babe in his classic follow-through batting pose, is widely considered to be the quintessential Babe Ruth bubble-gum card. Goudey must have also appreciated the beauty of this card, because of all the cards in the set, this is the one it chose to double print when replacing the missing card #106 during production. Today, it remains one of Ruth's most popular and most recognizable baseball cards. This is just the third signed example of this particular card we have ever offered, and we have seen few others at auction in the past 21 years. We are very familiar with this particular card as this is the second time we have had the privilege of offering it. This card was presented as Lot 927 in REA's Spring 2013 auction. At that time, this card was part of a newly discovered original-owner collection of 1933 Goudeys that we offered on behalf of the gentleman's family. The card is technically in modest condition due to a few light creases, honest corner wear, and minor staining on the reverse. However, it should be noted that the creases are much more noticeable on the reverse, and from the front, the card displays extremely well. An ink mark is present on the upper-left corner of the reverse, hence the "MK" qualifier. This is an outstanding and rare signed example of Ruth's classic 1933 Goudey card.