Babe Ruth auto help

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I share a lot of the same feelings as Brendan on this thing. Funny, my eye immediately went to the "uth" and that's my favorite part, too. Well, perhaps not that pointy last hump of the "h" which shows obvious hesitation, as does the crossing of the "t". It appears as though the signature stopped at the upstroke of that hump in the "h" and continued as a separate downstroke. That's a terrible sign.

I'd personally leave this thing alone.

Other things I'd be asking:

Is the ink even live? Could this be a laser print? What's up with the speckling on the paper? Is it dirt, age spots or incorporated into the paper itself? I'm guessing the latter. Is this even an index card? I don't offhandedly recall seeing any index cards with speckled paper like this, and I've handled hundreds of thousands of them, if not more. Do you know what kind of paper can occasionally be found with such speckling? The fly leaves of old books. They're a pretty darned plentiful and inexpensive source of old, thicker-than-average paper which can be conveniently trimmed to size.

[Bpm0014]

Well, perhaps not that pointy last hump of the "h" which shows obvious hesitation, as does the crossing of the "t". It appears as though the signature stopped at the upstroke of that hump in the "h" and continued as a separate downstroke.

Spot on. I forgot to mention that hesitation. But yes exactly.

[MGHPro]

Thanks so much for the information. Great insight ! I haven’t seen it in person but I do believe it’s on a business card. Will post more info if I get any from the family

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

I share a lot of the same feelings as Brendan on this thing. Funny, my eye immediately went to the "uth" and that's my favorite part, too. Well, perhaps not that pointy last hump of the "h" which shows obvious hesitation, as does the crossing of the "t". It appears as though the signature stopped at the upstroke of that hump in the "h" and continued as a separate downstroke. That's a terrible sign.

I'd personally leave this thing alone.

Other things I'd be asking:

Is the ink even live? Could this be a laser print? What's up with the speckling on the paper? Is it dirt, age spots or incorporated into the paper itself? I'm guessing the latter. Is this even an index card? I don't offhandedly recall seeing any index cards with speckled paper like this, and I've handled hundreds of thousands of them, if not more. Do you know what kind of paper can occasionally be found with such speckling? The fly leaves of old books. They're a pretty darned plentiful and inexpensive source of old, thicker-than-average paper which can be conveniently trimmed to size.

[Bpm0014]

Rarely will you see:

The loop in the “a” open and not closed

The crossed “t” touch the “R”

The crossing of the “t” so bold beginning to end. It’s almost always faint on one end, and bold on the other end

[MGHPro]

Thanks again for the help . Appreciate you sharing your knowledge

Originally Posted by Bpm0014

Rarely will you see:

The loop in the “a” open and not closed

The crossed “t” touch the “R”

The crossing of the “t” so bold beginning to end. It’s almost always faint on one end, and bold on the other end

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

It really does appear to have been signed "Babe Rutt", then that final stroke added separately to complete the h.

[Kco]

At first quick glance I liked it, at further review I am really iffy and leaning towards either a really good forgery or a really odd authentic auto, though gun to my head I'd say its not genuine. Adding it appears as though its a cut/index card with littler to date it properly, I'd avoid this one.

[ronniehatesjazz]

Originally Posted by BillyCoxDodgers3B

It really does appear to have been signed "Babe Rutt", then that final stroke added separately to complete the h.

Good catch on the h, the e has similar fluidity issues although I’m not sold that either proves it to be legitimate.

The truth is, Ruth’s auto, while beautiful, has more variation that most collectors realize. I think the consensus view on here (good forgery/odd authentic sig) is spot on.

I think it’d be a lot easier to determine one way or the other if you could have it hand.

[Bpm0014]

the e has similar fluidity issues

I’ve studied Ruth extensively. The fluidity issue in the “e” is actually a common Ruth trait. I can provide dozens of examples.

[Bpm0014]

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