Vintage Rarities IV ~ Summer 2011 Vintage Baseball Sports Memorabilia Auction
Babe Ruth Autographed Photo ~ Black and White 8x10 Photo.
This Ruth photo is unlike any other you may have seen in the past. Few, if any, signed pieces from the past tell a story such as this one as so many are lost over the years. Generally speaking, when collectors see inscriptions as part of the autograph, their aspirations are typically left wanting less, with only the signature of the said celebrity in their sights. However, when such an item as this becomes available, one cannot overstep the importance of the inscription placed on this black and white photo of Ruth.
Signed, "To A Real Pal Doctor MacDonald From Babe Ruth 6-1-47", Ruth inscribed this photo to his personal physician, Dr. Philip MacDonald. During Ruth's last years, this ENT doctor of Manhattan Nose and Throat was a close personal confidant to Ruth. Later after Ruth's passing, Dr. MacDonald and his wife Camella became close friends and traveled abroad with Ruth's family. This aforementioned history and exactly how this photo passed through hands over the years is as follows. Camilla gave this signed photo to her cousin, Josephine Rudolf. Later in life, Ms. Rudolf passed this keepsake down to her daughter, Ms. Catherine Vasiloff. That brings us to our consignor, a family friend of the Vasiloff's who received this photo many years ago, who in turn consigned the photo through us.
Scripted in jet black fountain pen, the inscription and signature of Ruth are mint - '9-10' in strength. The photo has minor surface wear, indicative of its age. It has been carefully mounted to a thicker cardboard backing.
Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA). The yellow-lined paper, written in Ms. Catherine Vasiloff's hand, is also accompanied with this piece.
Babe Ruth Signed Autographed Photo c.1947 ~ Inscribed to His Personal Physician Dr. MacDonald
Click above for larger image.