Lot # 52: Historic 1943 "War Bond Jubilee" Game Signed Ball (10 Signatures) Including Ruth, Wagner, Collins, Speaker and Bresnahan

Category: Other

Starting Bid: $2,500.00

Bids: 38 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "November 2018 Auction",
which ran from 11/2/2018 12:00 PM to
11/15/2018 11:30 PM



Over the past dozen years, a handful of 1943 "War Bond Jubilee" balls have been  auctioned for between $10,000 and $30,000 depending on condition and whether the Walter Johnson signature is authentic. According to JSA, most Johnson sigs relating to the 1943 war-bond effort are secretarial—as is the one here. Of all the baseball charity games in history, this one stands above the rest for three reasons. First, the sheer star power from 7 of the then 12 living Hall of Fame members, plus luminaries like Irving Berlin, Cab Calloway, James Cagney, Ethel Merman and Milton Berle. Second, the astronomical success of raising $800 million (equivalent to $11 billion today!) in bonds. Third, Babe Ruth famously belting his final home run in a major-league ball park—off none other than the Big Train himself.

 

There are 10 signatures on the shellacked, lightly crazed, medium-toned "Official Pro League" ball.

 

Sweet Spot: Ruth ("7")

North Panel: Speaker ("7"), Sisler ("7"), Bresnahan ("7")

South Panel: Wagner ("8-9"), Duffy Lewis ("6-7")

West Panel: W. Johnson (sec.)

East Panel: Frisch ("7-8"), Red Murray, Collins ("7")

 

Full LOA from JSA.

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