Auction Spotlight: Babe Ruth’s Dual-Signed 1916 World Series Glove Expected to Fetch Over $1 Million
Auction enthusiasts and sports memorabilia collectors are in for a treat as Heritage Auctions unveils a remarkable piece of history – a Spalding baseball glove from the year 1916. What makes this item truly special is not just its age or condition, but the fact that it features not one, but two signatures of the legendary Babe Ruth. This glove is a direct link to the baseball star’s time with the Boston Red Sox during the 1916 World Series. With its historical significance and rarity, experts predict that the final auction price will exceed the million-dollar mark.
This exceptional glove, once owned by the iconic entertainer Joe E. Brown, stands as a testament to an era long gone. Brown, known for his prominence in acting, comedy, and sports broadcasting in the 1930s, also had a passion for collecting sports memorabilia. Among his impressive collection, this glove shines as one of the most prized possessions. Although Brown may have faded from public memory, his legacy lives on through exceptional artifacts like this.
What sets this particular glove apart are the dual signatures of Babe Ruth. The first signature dates back to 1916, marking the Red Sox’s victory in the World Series against the Brooklyn Robins. Years later, Ruth added a second signature alongside a handwritten note stating that this glove was used in the 1916 World Series. These autographs, combined with the signatures of Ruth’s teammates Harry Hooper, Duffy Lewis, Larry Gardner, and Tillie Walker, magnify the glove’s value as a true piece of baseball history.
Impressively, the initial bidding for this extraordinary artifact soared past $300,000 within the first day of the auction. This early surge in interest foreshadows strong participation from collectors worldwide, leaving Heritage Auctions optimistic about reaching or even surpassing the desired million-dollar mark. It’s worth noting that a previous auction saw another Ruth-related item, a glove gifted to Jimmy Austin, fetch an impressive $1.5 million, setting a standard for the high market value of genuine Ruth memorabilia.
To ensure its authenticity, the glove has been meticulously authenticated by Beckett and PSA/DNA. Steve Grad from Beckett describes the examination as “the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” This authentication process plays a pivotal role in enhancing the glove’s appeal and providing potential bidders with confidence in the authenticity of Ruth’s signatures and the historical importance of the glove.
This auction not only offers collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of baseball history but also pays homage to the extraordinary legacy of Babe Ruth and Joe E. Brown’s fervent collecting. Despite Joe E. Brown’s collection enduring a devastating fire, its impact on the world of sports memorabilia perseveres through remarkable items like this glove. As the auction date draws near, the excitement and anticipation continue to build, promising a historic sale that will be etched in the memories of sports enthusiasts for years to come.
