This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Home run champion. Media star. Fan favorite. Hero. Legend. These are just a few of the words that have been used to describe the inimitable Babe Ruth, the most celebrated baseball player in history. In fact, the word "Ruthian" has entered the popular vernacular to define "of mammoth proportions." Although Ruth's personality was larger than life, he still had to administer his life, in one way or another, much like the rest of us - paying bills, going shopping, going to the bank...and writing checks. In a different vein than signed photos and baseballs, a signed check gives the sempiternal Babe Ruth a closer connection to us mere mortals. This Chase National Bank (New York) check has been made out to "Cash" for $50.00, dated October 5, 1945 and signed twice in fountain pen "GH Ruth" by Babe Ruth, once on the front and endorsed on the back. Neither the bank stamps nor the punches affect the signatures in any way. There are three vertical folds on the check, the lightest of which is on the far right and goes through the "R" in "Ruth" on the front lower right. It does not, however, diminish the signature in any way. There is also an errant curlicue done in pencil on the front lower right that goes through the "G" in "GH," which is only a minor blemish on this manifest autograph. The signature on the front is bold and clear, grading a 9. The signature on the back endorsement panel shows minor rubbing and grades an 8. Beneath this is an unknown black fountain pen signature. Accompanied by a LOA from James Spence Authentication.