Here is what is titled as Ruth's eyes. The photo was used to create an even closer photo for the newspaper.
The article talks first about Ruth having either the flu or a cold, but then goes into the rumors about Ruth's legs are slowing him down, or possibly his eyesight is going bad. And with that Ruth showed how he is using an eyewash to keep his eyes clear, then staring into the camera, with a look of determination, daring anyone to find something wrong. Then hiking his robe up, shows everyone, that there is nothing wrong with his legs.
Then the story that most have heard that Lazzeri stole Ruth's eyewash, filled it with water, and in front of Ruth, started to drink from the eyewash bottle. Ruth tried to get the bottle from him, afraid Lazzeri would get sick.
To me, this was the beginning of the decline of Ruth. That is what this photo, or these three, means to me. Titled " Ruth's eyes" on the back, in no way am I saying this is anything close to the Conlon beauty, but this photo, along with it's two sister photos, has it's own story, it's own provenance. Ruth is declining, his record shows that, and Ruth is trying to beat back the rumors. But it is 1933, and in just a few more years, the Yankees won't want him any longer.
VanOeyen must have thought highly of the below photo. It still has the tissue attached, that protects the photo.
Below is the Press photo and second is an edited copy of mine, as to what this photo, if it exists, would look like (newspaper copy).
Ruth's eyes, by Van Oeyen.jpg
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