This photo appears to be a premium, and it pictures the entire complement of principals—both the Americans and the Japanese. All the participants signed the original photograph of the image. In turn, prints (such as this one) were produced to carry the autograph likenesses. The central import of this one, however, is that it was signed by Babe Ruth and it was once maintained in his careful custody. With a broad-nib fountain pen, Ruth scribed, "To My good friend...Jimmie...Sincerely...Babe Ruth.” Minimum bid $500.
For more information on the Babe Ruth collection or to find out what items are being auctioned in which Mastro Auctions’ sales events, call 630-472-1200 or go to www.mastroauctions.com.
About Mastro Auctions
Mastro Auctions, of Burr Ridge, Illinois, is part of the Silkroad Equity family of companies. The firm is the nation’s leading high-value collectibles auction company. The company has been involved in the sale of many of the most famous and valuable Sports and Americana collectibles ever publicly offered, including the most expensive baseball card ever sold at public auction (a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner for $1.62 million), the most expensive baseball card set (1914 Cracker Jack, $960,000), and the bat Babe Ruth used to hit his first home run in Yankee Stadium ($1.2 million). Mastro Auctions also sold Norman Rockwell’s “The Dugout” original oil painting ($355,000), Roger Maris’ 1961 jersey (worn when he hit home run #61, $302,000), the bus Rosa Parks was riding when she refused to stand for segregation (nearly $500,000) and the famous Steve Bartman Cubs foul ball (more than $100,000). For more information, call Mastro Auctions at 630-472-1200 or go to www.mastroauctions.com.
