This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
This incredibly rare Babe Ruth-signed ball has a story of its own that attests to the Babe's big-hearted ways and his loyalty to friends. Babe, it seems, was close with a race car driver of the day named Lou Pearl. One Sunday in November 1926, after Pearl won a race in Reading, Pennsylvania, Ruth signed this ball, gave it to a neighbor of Pearl's, and asked him to have Pearl sign it as well when he got back home. On the sweet spot of this dazzling OAL Johnson ball with blue and red stitching, the signature "‘Babe' Ruth" is as big as day, written in brown fountain pen. The signature rates a near-perfect 10. On the north panel is the inscription "Lou Pearl – Babe's 2nd" in black ink, rating a 7. The ball has survived nearly intact, and has been PSA authenticated and certified. In addition, it comes with the original Reach company box and paper wrapping. The box shows some deterioration and has been taped over in places, but it too is well preserved. It also comes with a letter from Pearl's neighbor verifying the history of the ball, which is a living memoir of an immortal man and is as nice a ball as we've ever seen for the era.