Question about Babe Ruth underwear box

[canjond]

If it's pasted onto the box, then I would take back what I said and lean towards it being a fake piece. I could have sworn I've seen the green/white before, but it sounds too much like a fantasy piece now.

[bigtrain]

I own a similar box. Mine says "SIZE - LG" on the flap. I bought it assuming it was not vintage but on closer examination I am not sure. The glue used on the label has yellowed as is visible on the top of your picture. The box certainly looks old from the inside as well. It is certainly possible that someone came across a bunch of old clothing boxes and had newer labels made and pasted onto them. It is also possible that the full color boxes were too expensive and the company decided to cut costs. If not vintage, it is a pretty good fake.

[HBroll]

I was leaning toward it being a fake too but now I am not so sure.

I agree with you Tom. The box top I have looks vintage as well. The box is definitely period and the label looks old with the yellowing of glue you stated. It is missing "The Champion Nine" line at the bottom of the box which is odd too. It is very possible that the full color boxes were too expensive and the company cut costs and these box tops were the result.

Here is the actual Ruth box top I bought on eBay last week. The other photo I posted was my file photo. On this photo you can see the yellowing of the glue too. Like you said, if they are not real, they are a really good fake.

[IronHorse2130]

I seem to recall a white version being sold my a major auction house but I can't remember which one. If I come across the catalog I will post here again.

[bigtrain]

I also seem to recall seeing two different sizes of boxes, perhaps one holding adult sizes and another for children?

[baseball tourist]

Add another white boxed version to the pile. This has no size stamping but the box has a similar look with perforations for folding, aged glue etc. It has an applied label.

[HBroll]

I also think there are 2 box sizes too. The 14" Ruth underwear mini-bat was supposedly found inside the larger box along with the underwear.

I believe Fusco auctioned a green/white version in one of their summer auctions. I am not sure what it sold for.

Not only is the green/white box missing "The Champion Nine" line at the bottom of the box, there is no square line surrounding the entire image. Very interesting.