This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Although Babe Ruth was one of the most colorful characters to ever hit the national scene, because his exploits occurred in the first half of the 20th Century, most photographs of him were in black and white. This pair of 8" x 10" prints of the Bambino taken in 1946, two years before his death, are reproductions of the only known color photos of Ruth. They were taken by George "Specs" Toporcer, then the director of player development for the Boston Red Sox, before an Old Timer's Day event at Fenway Park. The camera used was an experimental model in which the film could not be removed during processing. Since no negative was ever returned, Toporcer assumed that it had disintegrated or been destroyed. Thus there is only one source for these particular shots. Of added value, one photo shows Ruth in his old Yankee uniform shaking hands with Ted Williams, who signed the picture in black ink, with the signature rating an 8. The other photo shows Ruth in a brown suit smiling into the camera. Both photos are in near-mint condition and are matted against a white background in detailed, brown frames that measure 16" x 18" and 16" x 20." The photos come with a certificate of authenticity.