What is Your Greatest Non-Card Discovery ?

[Archive]

Posted By: Ted Zanidakis

I would consider this find as one of my best

About 10 years ago in a small shop in Toms River, NJ
I came across a small (5 x 7) hardcover book with Babe
Ruth on the cover. Its title: "Babe Ruth....The Idol of
the American Boy"; written by Dan Daniels (NY Tribune),
published in 1930 and photos by Charles Conlon.

I was first happy to read the actual Ruth quotes that
were in the book. Then, as I turned the pages I became
quite excited as I stared at "Sincrrly, Babe Ruth" in
script lettering done with a fountain pen.

I had seen enough Ruth autographs to recognize that this
one might be real. The tell-tale clue was the double "r"
in "Sincerely". Subsequently, I showed it to Jimmy Spence
at a show and upon close scrutiny he authenticated it.

You ask, how much did I pay for this neat little book ?
When the shop owner said he wanted $50. for it, I turned
to the page with the inscription and showed it to him.
He said it did not matter, he did not think it was real,
and the price was still $50 dollars.