Babe Ruth signed letter

[Runscott]

This stuff is scary. Someone finds an age-appropriate envelope with no return address, then creates the contents and response. This is going to fool a few people, just because the envelope looks good and the story is believable. The forger has gone to extra lengths by having "Ruth" sign the kid's actual letter, and add a year date that matches the envelope's postmark.

The kid claims in his letter that he saw Babe Ruth at the theater - if that were true, he would certainly have gotten Ruth's autograph then. I'm hoping that my February, 1943 Ruth that actually was signed at a Bronx theater during a War Bond drive, was not where he got the idea for this story. I haven't looked into it, but it's probable that Ruth wasn't even doing War Bond appearances in 1947 - he was dying from cancer and was in the hospital until February. From Wikipedia: "He was discharged from the hospital in February (1947), having lost 80 pounds (36 kg), and went to Florida to recuperate." The postmark is February, 1947, meaning that Ruth was at the theater prior to that...when he was actually in the hospital. Even more glaring, the word 'AUTOGRAPH' on the kid's letter were typed with the same typewriter that 'Ruth' used to respond to him (match the 'A' and 'T').

Babe Ruth signed letter on ebay

[w7imel]

I know the guy thru Ebay that has this for auction.(he was the one who sold the walter johnson stamped auto as "authentic") He first had this as a buy it now for 5000. I sent him a text telling it was wrong to be selling this as authentic. And that he knows its not real. He then told me some crock story about how so and so has looked at it and said its good. I told him we all had bought an auto in our life that turned out bad but that doesnt make it right to turn around and do it to someone else. I also said something to the fact that selling a forgery as authentic is not only unethical but possibly illegal. He then told me to loose his phone number. Two days later enough people must of harrased him about the auto he relisted item as auction starting price $.01 which does not make it right because he still claims " "To Bob, Sincerely Babe Ruth 1947", which I don't believe is secretarial." I sent him one last text to which he didnt respond basically telling him its guys like him who knowingly pass on a forgery that ruin this hobby for everyone else. What do you do? Ebay dont seem to care as long as they get their 10%. This guy knows better so I hope enough people have expressed their opinions about it to him besides myself.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by w7imel

What do you do? Ebay dont seem to care as long as they get their 10%. This guy knows better so I hope enough people have expressed their opinions about it to him besides myself.

Ebay has totally stopped caring about autographs. They disbanded the EMR team and since John G. has left ebay nobody there gives a damn about autographs. I bet I could put up Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare and Christopher Columbus autographs for $9.99 each starting bids and ebay would just let them ride.

[Runscott]

The problem is that the seller is not that far off from a forgery that is believable to many (more) on our forum. If he had chosen a date in 1943, used two different typewriters and presented a slightly more believable forgery, I think he could have gotten away with it.

[w7imel]

IMO autograph not even close. Is there anyway this was a fan letter sent to ruth while sick that was secretarial signed? instead of a milicious forgery? I dont know just asking a question to better educate myself

[David Atkatz]

Ruth did not employ "secretaries." Even when he was ill, on good days he would sign a stack postcard-sized photos to fulfill fan requests. Occasionally, when these ran out, Claire would sign for him.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by RichardSimon

Ebay has totally stopped caring about autographs. They disbanded the EMR team and since John G. has left ebay nobody there gives a damn about autographs. I bet I could put up Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare and Christopher Columbus autographs for $9.99 each starting bids and ebay would just let them ride.

Yes, and they lose a good collector and customer like me...They care not. They have replaced me with 1000 other knuckleheads that love cheap forgeries. If more people stood up to BullS*** like what e-bay has done and other conglomerates, something would get done. Sadly, the dumbing down of America doesn't help matters. I have not or will not buy another autograph until E-bay starts to care again...which will be the first of never.