Ruth Fein Babe Ruth photo

[Snapolit1]

. . . to steal the theme of a T206 thread from the front page. . . .

Probably the most iconic photos in baseball history Nat Fein's The Babe Bows out photo.

How many type 1 photos do you think are in existence?

[mikecala98]

No idea about Type 1, but had a chance to get a signed Type 2 for $100 with a PSA letter and turned it down. I deeply regret that decision.

[Schlesinj]

I have been tracking that photo for a few years and I think I have seen less than 5 available for purchase since 2020.

Hopefully, we get some form of pop report in the future so at least some documented list is a decent staring point.

[EddieP]

I have a neighbor who was friends with Nat Fein. From what he told me, as soon as Mr Fein took the photo, he applied to have it copyrighted. He also told me that Mr Fein gave period originals ( Type I) to the Ruth family and the Yankees. I think the Yankees had 4 copies. The interesting thing about the Yankees was that when they were renovating the Old Yankee Stadium they placed their copies in a dumpster. From what my neighbor told me “ Babe Bows Out” was very popular and papers would publish it alot. So much so that the newspapers’ copies would wear out and be thrown away. So instead of buying a new copy from Mr Fein, the papers would use their own copy negatives ( aka period copies, aka Type 3). That’s why my neighbor told me that unlike other newsphotos, the stamps in back of a “ Babe Bows Out” photo is not a reliable way in determining if it’s a Type I. In the case of “ Babe Bows Out” provenance is really important. So if you could buy a copy from Nat Fein’s Private Collection or from the Ruth Family or if you know someone who salvaged one of the copies from the Yankees’ dumpster back in the 1970s then you know you have a Type 1. Based on what I was told I would put the number of Type I’s at less than 10.

Full disclosure: I have a Type 2 signed by Mr Fein.

[prewarsports]

Certified as Type 1, maybe 10-20

Ones that should fit the definition of a Type 1 but they can't be 'certified' because there are no back stamps etc.... 50-100 more. These would be "Type 2 c. 1950's" blank backed examples if submitted to PSA, mostly signed by Fein. The odd thing is this photo was taken in 1948 so you can have a c. 1950-52 example and still be a Type 1, but they are VERY stingy and strict with this photograph. Any photography auction house in the world considers a 1955 example just as good as one that was done in 1949/50 (and no way to tell paper difference), but such is the world we live in. Gotta have the stamp on the back!

The photo is not rare at all, it is only "rare" to find one with all the bells and whistles that get it into a PSA holder

[Bicem]

Great info Rhys.

Here's my copy, having regretfully sold my type one years ago to someone on this thread.

[prewarsports]

I have two just like the one you posted that are period examples and "Type 2 c. 1950's". I am keeping them and hoping that someday PSA expands their range like they did with 1950's Dodgers team issues.