1927 Babe Ruth Single-Signed Baseball with Full JSA—Dated to #39 Home Run of Season

• Sold For: $7,638
• Year: 1927
• Auction: 2011 January
• Lot #: 1
• Auction Category: Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

As the most fearsome slugger on Murderers’ Row, George Herman Babe Ruth embarked on a scathing reign of terror on American League pitching staffs in 1927. The Baltimore-bred icon batted .356, clubbing an unprecedented 60 home runs and achieving a breathtaking 1.258 OPS. So dominant was “The Bambino” in 1927, the southpaw belted four more home runs than any other American League team. Upon eclipsing his own 1921 record, the charismatic Ruth proudly exclaimed "Sixty, count 'em, sixty! Let's see some son-of-a-bitch match that!" Despite the braggadocio, Ruth was always eager to please his adoring young fans. Inscribed “For Bud Messe-August 20 1927” (not in Ruth’s hand), the offered Babe Ruth (d.1948) single-signed baseball is a cornerstone collectible. The blue-and-red-stitched OAL Johnson sphere presents (“6-7”) with uniform aging and bold, blue trademark stampings (slight bleeding on Johnson's surname). The precisely placed 2-1/2” black steel-tip fountain pen endorsement displays mild age-induced fading but still registers a (“6-7”) signature quality. On the attributed date, Ruth sent an unfortunate Jake Miller pitch into the bleachers for his 39th round tripper of the season. Interestingly, the “greatest team ever” assembled was swept at Cleveland en route to a season-long four game losing streak. This historic orb was “pulled” from the 2004 Fleer Legacy product, serving as the “grand prize” for the high-end series that featured one signed baseball along with seven additional cards per hobby box. It is difficult to envision the euphoria that the collector who pulled this sphere experienced (original box that ball came in is included). In an industry where provenance plays such a preeminent role, this benchmark piece is truly “second to none.” Full photo LOA from JSA.