This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/18/2014.
Nearly 500,000 Japanese fans had lined the streets of Ginza to welcome Babe Ruth and the All American ballplayers to Tokyo. Babe Ruth rode in the first open-top limousine. The 39-year old Ruth had parted with the New York Yankees a few weeks prior. His future in professional baseball was in doubt, but his god-like aura remained. He was an entertainer through and through, and was well known as a jokester with an outgoing personality. Ruth is seen on our cover, switching this very cap with a little leaguer to create an all-time classic photo. To the Japanese, he still represented the pinnacle of the baseball world. Ruth and his teammates stayed in Japan for a month, playing 18 exhibition games against Japanese opponents in 12 cities. These games held a greater importance than just sport. Both countries believed that the goodwill generated by the tour and their shared love of the game could help heal their growing political differences. Ruth was larger than baseball and quite frankly, larger than life. On the inside of the rear leather sweatband reads, “Babe Ruth” embroidered in green stitching. On the left side of the sweatband is a “SPALDING” manufacturer’s stamp. The navy blue hat has a “US” logo on the front embroidered in red and white stitching. This cap is properly tagged, was presented to us as game-used during the 1934 Tour of Japan and in our opinion shows excellent use. This is the first Babe Ruth Tour of Japan cap that has ever surfaced. We believe it is the only one he wore in Japan. We guarantee this cap to pass any authentication process. This cap was sourced from the Ruth family over 30 years ago. Accompanied by an LOA from the consignor.
The first three lots presented in this catalog are consigned to us by a collector who has had these treasures for over 30 years. They were all originally sourced in the late 1970's from a gentleman who was close personal friends with the Ruth family and a higher-up in the Babe Ruth Baseball Little League organization.
To view full resolution photos of the 1934 Tour Of Japan games and a more detailed breakdown of the authenticity on this cap click please
here.