Auction Spotlight: Babe Ruth’s Dual-Signed 1916 World Series Glove Expected to Fetch Over $1 Million
In the world of sports memorabilia, few items hold as much significance as this Spalding baseball glove from 1916, which bears not one, but two signatures of the legendary Babe Ruth. Linked to the 1916 World Series, this glove, once owned by entertainment icon Joe E. Brown, is set to be sold at Heritage Auctions, with experts projecting a final price that surpasses the million-dollar mark.
This glove represents much more than just a piece of sports history – it is a tangible connection to the past, a window into the world of baseball when Babe Ruth was a rising star. During the 1916 World Series, where the Boston Red Sox triumphed over the Brooklyn Robins, Ruth’s first signature was imprinted on the glove, along with those of his teammates. Years later, he added a second signature, accompanied by a handwritten note that acknowledged the glove’s role in his early career. The presence of additional signatures, including those of Harry Hooper, Duffy Lewis, Larry Gardner, and Tillie Walker, further elevates the glove’s value and historical significance.
The initial bidding for this remarkable artifact has been nothing short of enthusiastic, with the price quickly soaring past $300,000 within the first day of the auction. This early momentum is indicative of the strong interest from collectors all around the world, leading Heritage Auctions to be optimistic about achieving, if not surpassing, the $1 million mark. It follows the recent sale of another Ruth-related item, a glove gifted to Jimmy Austin, which sold for an impressive $1.5 million, setting a precedent for the high market value of authentic Babe Ruth memorabilia.
To ensure the authenticity of the signatures, the glove has been authenticated by Beckett and PSA/DNA, with Steve Grad of Beckett expressing his awe at the examination process, describing it as “the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” This meticulous authentication adds credibility to the glove, assuring potential bidders of the legitimacy of Ruth’s signatures and solidifying its status as a rare and valuable piece of baseball history.
The story of this glove is intertwined with the fascinating life of Joe E. Brown, an entertainment giant known for his work in acting, comedy, and sports broadcasting during the 1930s. Brown’s passion for sports memorabilia led him to amass an impressive collection, with this glove being one of its treasured gems. Despite being largely forgotten by the public, Brown’s legacy lives on through the items he collected and the impact he had on the world of sports collecting.
As the auction for the Babe Ruth-signed glove approaches, anticipation and excitement continue to grow. It represents a unique opportunity for collectors to own a tangible piece of baseball history and serves as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Babe Ruth and the passion for collecting embodied by Joe E. Brown. This historic sale is sure to be remembered for years to come, as it solidifies the status of Babe Ruth as an icon in the world of sports memorabilia.