Title: Babe Ruth’s Dual-Signed 1916 World Series Glove Expected to Fetch Over $1 Million
Subtitle: Rare artifact from Joe E. Brown collection up for auction at Heritage Auctions
Meta Description: A Spalding baseball glove signed by Babe Ruth twice is set to be auctioned, with experts predicting a price exceeding $1 million.
Auction enthusiasts and sports memorabilia collectors are eagerly awaiting the upcoming Heritage Auctions event, as it will feature a truly remarkable piece of baseball history. The highlight of the auction is a Spalding baseball glove from 1916, which boasts not one, but two signatures of the legendary Babe Ruth. This glove is not only a valuable collectible, but also a direct link to the 1916 World Series when Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox. Given its historical significance and rarity, experts have projected that the final auction price for this extraordinary artifact will exceed the million-dollar threshold.
The awe-inspiring journey of this glove, originally owned by Joe E. Brown, a renowned figure in entertainment circles during the 1930s, adds an extra layer of allure. Brown, who made a name for himself as an actor, comedian, and sports broadcaster, was also an avid collector of sports memorabilia. Among his impressive collection, this dual-signed Babe Ruth glove stood out as one of the most prized possessions. While Brown’s fame may have faded with time, his legacy lives on through this remarkable item and others in his collection.
What makes this glove truly special are the two signatures of Babe Ruth. The first signature is from 1916, a memento of the Red Sox’s triumphant World Series victory against the Brooklyn Robins. The second signature, accompanied by Ruth’s own handwritten note stating “Glove I used in the 1916 World Series,” was added years later, serving as a testament to the glove’s role in Ruth’s early career. Not only does this glove bear Ruth’s signatures, but it also features autographs from other notable players of the time, including Harry Hooper, Duffy Lewis, Larry Gardner, and Tillie Walker, further enhancing its value as a piece of baseball history.
The initial bidding for the glove has already surpassed $300,000 within the first day of the auction, indicating a strong interest from collectors around the world. With this early momentum, Heritage Auctions is optimistic about reaching or even surpassing the remarkable $1 million mark. The auction of this glove follows the previous sale of another Ruth-related item, a glove gifted to Jimmy Austin, which fetched an astonishing $1.5 million, providing a precedent for the high market value of authentic Babe Ruth memorabilia.
To ensure potential bidders about the authenticity of Babe Ruth’s signatures and the historical significance of the glove, authentication by Beckett and PSA/DNA has been carried out. Steve Grad of Beckett, who conducted the examination, has described it as “the coolest thing I’ve ever seen,” solidifying the glove’s credibility and increasing its appeal among collectors.
While it may have suffered damage from a fire, Joe E. Brown’s collection continues to make an impact in the world of sports memorabilia through extraordinary pieces like this glove. This auction not only presents a unique opportunity for collectors to acquire an invaluable piece of baseball history but also pays homage to the enduring legacy of Babe Ruth and Joe E. Brown’s passionate collecting. As the auction date draws closer, excitement and anticipation continue to build, ensuring that this historic sale will be etched in the memories of sports enthusiasts for years to come.
