SOLD 1927 Original Babe Ruth & Lou Gehrig Type 1 photo from Christy Walsh Estate

[Augy44]

For sale is an exceedingly rare large-format Type I photo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig dating from the famous 1927 Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's postseason barnstorming tour. This particular photo once personally belonged to Christy Walsh (Babe Ruth's and Lou Gehrig's agent) and originates directly from the Walsh family. What makes this photo so special, aside from the splendid, crystal-clear image, is its large 8.5 x 11-inch dimensions. Aside from the few panoramas that exist (picturing members from both barnstorming teams), this is one of the largest Ruth/Gehrig 1927 tour photos we have ever seen. Fittingly, Christy Walsh, who arranged the tour, is pictured posing together with Ruth and Gehrig, both of whom are in their respective tour uniforms. This photo displays handling wear along the border with some minor creasing and tears, but this was normal as these photos were used in many publications throughout a large time frame as you can see from the multiple date stamps on the reverse side. Just that this specimen has survived this long is truly magnificent!

The Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's barnstorming tour was the brainchild of Christy Walsh, who was Ruth and Gehrig's longtime agent. In 1927 Walsh, in order to capitalize on the excitement generated by the duo's season-long home-run duel, arranged to have the pair tour the country right after the World Series. The tour, heralded as "Ruth vs. Gehrig - The Battle For The Home Run Title Continues," began in New York and made its away across the country, ending in California. To ensure its success, Walsh wisely scheduled nearly all of the games in cities without Major League clubs, thus providing those fans with a rare opportunity to see the two stars in person. Walsh also arranged it so that Ruth and Gehrig were the only two players traveling to each town. Their respective teams at each venue were made up of local players. The tour was such a huge success (most games ended prematurely due to fans rushing onto the field to get closer to their idols) that it was repeated again in 1928 with equal fanfare.

Despite its incredible success, very few items remain from the 1927 Bustin' Babes and Larrupin' Lou's barnstorming tour. The Walsh family sold much of the material from Walsh's collection over the last decade, but you just don't see special pieces such as this one appear often. Another original version of this photo sold back in 2014 for over $7,000 and this photo is just as remarkable. As stated above, the photo does show handling wear around the edges, but the central image is impeccable and would look amazing in a vintage period frame and mat. This is a spectacular Ruth/Gehrig photo and easily one of the most desirable and impressive Bustin' Babes and Larrupin Lou's display pieces in existence from the height of the New York Yankees dynasty! Comes with a Full LOA from PSA/DNA and has been personally examined and authenticated by renown photo and paper expert, Henry Yee and signed by him as well.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me and I will get back to you immediately. Thanks and Happy Holidays!

SOLD