1914 Babe Ruth 2nd Game RPPC, only known original 1914 image

[T206Jim]

I wanted to share this story, and a significant piece of baseball history, with the Net54 community. For the last several months I have done extensive research regarding a Real Photo Postcard in my collection. Today, the results of that research are revealed in an article published in the SABR Pictorial History Committee's June 2017 newsletter. Here is the link:

http://sabr.org/research/pictorial-h...ee-newsletters

Here is the postcard:

1914-Fenway-RPPC-watermarked-for-Net-54.jpg

It depicts Babe Ruth on the mound during his second major league start against the Detroit Tigers on July 16, 1914. It is the only known surviving original photo of Babe Ruth in the Majors in 1914. The only other confirmed images are a glass negative in the Museum of Chicago and a microfilm copy from the archives of a Boston publication, neither of which are known to exist in their original 1914 printed state.

I owe a debt of gratitude to many members here who contributed to my research, your help was essential to my efforts. I would like to single out Jeff Prizner, "Bicem" on Net54, in particular for his help. The "Photo 1" in the article came from him and another photo from later in the game which was not used in article. I'd also like to thank Mark Fimoff for the opportunity to collaborate with him on the article, his ability to tell and explain a story of a photo is unmatched!

It was a series on incredible coincidences, and reaching out to the right people, which allowed me to connect the dots. It was a challenging mystery to solve, but I sure have enjoyed it. If anyone has any further information, or if you'd just like to visit about the piece, drop me a line as it is a subject upon which I never tire! The article is just a condensed version of the research, there is so much more to tell.

Finally, if you are not a member of SABR, you should be. They have a vast treasure trove of research information that every serious collector should take advantage of and it is worthy of your support.

[Jobu]

Woah! Jim, and everyone who helped research that, that is extremely impressive and a great image. Thank you for sharing. If you don't mind my asking, where did you find the RPPC?

[btcarfagno]

That is beyond awesome.

Tom C

[Fistner10]

Very cool! Glad you shared

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Love the research that went into this! I've got a type II photo that looks to be same uniform. Would love to find out what year this was taken.

[Bicem]

Thanks Jim, was fun!

Baseball Hall of Fame worthy piece! Great find and research.

[Baseball Rarities]

Great research. What a special postcard. Congratulations Jim.

[pherbener]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

Love the research that went into this! I've got a type II photo that looks to be same uniform. Would love to find out what year this was taken.

That is an awesome photo AJ!!

[T206Jim]

Thanks guys! In answer to your questions. I believe the postcard was in the collection of longtime collector Elias Dudash, it was sold at least once before coming to me simply as a 1914 RPPC of Fenway Park. The HOF was a big help, they provided me with a copy of the program from Ruth's 1st game, and yes they made it clear they would be interested if I would ever be in position to consider a donation of the postcard to them. Based on my research, game accounts from Boston newspapers, I believe the first base coach that day would be Jimmy Burke rather than Hughie Jennings.

[bmarlowe1]

Originally Posted by ajjohnsonsoxfan

Love the research that went into this! I've got a type II photo that looks to be same uniform. Would love to find out what year this was taken.

Your photo is not 1914 - the bill of the cap is wrong. 1914 cap shown below.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

hmm looks like same hat?