Babe Ruth Red Sox Photo

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Anyone know the source of this photo? This is a period print off of a copy of the original negative, but I am trying to figure out where the image came from.

Thanks!

[Carter08]

Wowzers. Is that going to be in one of you auctions coming up?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

The one that starts a week from today.

It came in very late and we're behind the 8 ball on it. It was a literal garage sale find by a regular consignor.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

OK so I misunderstood the consignor. He was saying that he couldn't find sales of vintage copies of the image. The image is everywhere and still available online. Anyone ever see an early copy of this come up anywhere?

[Leon]

This was originally posted in the correct forum but since Scott (hey Scott) is under a time crunch it was moved here. Good luck, Scott. Cool photo..
.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Thank you Leon!

[LincolnVT]

Check with Pcoz, he had a real photo PC years back that was very similar to your image. I think the PC was in a SGC c1910 holder.

[oldeboo]

Here's a relatively recent 5"x7" Type IV(circa 1980s) sale

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6296499

[Schlesinj]

I assume back is blank?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

I assume back is blank?

Yes if you don't count the brown packing tape that was used to attach it to something!

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

Here's a relatively recent 5"x7" Type IV(circa 1980s) sale

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6296499

Awesome, thank you SO much!

[mrreality68]

Very nice photo and great image of Ruth

[oldeboo]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Awesome, thank you SO much!

No problem, happy to help!

Here is some more information on the source image if anyone is curious or if it helps with your description. The original image was taken on September 21, 1919 at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut during an exhibition game. Eddie Goodridge of the New Departure Endees was to Ruth’s left. This is one of the last known images of Ruth in a Red Sox Uniform.

A link is below for anyone curious to learn more. There is also a book about Muzzy Field that has some solid information and there are other sources as well.

https://www.ghtbl.org/ruth/

[drcy]

Offhand, yours appears older than the Christies example

[Snowman]

Great photo!

For future reference, you can search images using Google's Photo search algorithm by right-clicking the image and selecting "Search Google for Image" if you're using Google Chrome. This link shows up when you do that, which others have already linked to above, but I thought it might be helpful for the future to teach a man how to fish.

Looks like this one sold for $1375 in 2020; though I know nothing about their differences. They just look similar to me.

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-ba...=6296499&lid=1

[drcy]

The Christies photo's borders are much whiter. The OP's are toned/sepia, suggesting it's much older.

Originally Posted by Snowman

Great photo!

For future reference, you can search images using Google's Photo search algorithm by right-clicking the image and selecting "Search Google for Image" if you're using Google Chrome. This link shows up when you do that, which others have already linked to above, but I thought it might be helpful for the future to teach a man how to fish.

Looks like this one sold for $1375 in 2020; though I know nothing about their differences. They just look similar to me.

https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-ba...=6296499&lid=1

[mrreality68]

Wow.

Thanks David.

That is a neat trick I did not know

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Mine is definitely older, the big question is; Is it old enough to be a type 3? I know a knowledgeable photo guy who can hopefully answer that question. It is MUCH heavier stock than modern photo paper, though not cardboard like a cabinet. Either way it's very cool. Also wild that it's a doctored photo of an outdoor shot. I thought it was taken in a studio!

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

No problem, happy to help!

Here is some more information on the source image if anyone is curious or if it helps with your description. The original image was taken on September 21, 1919 at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut during an exhibition game. Eddie Goodridge of the New Departure Endees was to Ruth’s left. This is one of the last known images of Ruth in a Red Sox Uniform.

A link is below for anyone curious to learn more. There is also a book about Muzzy Field that has some solid information and there are other sources as well.

https://www.ghtbl.org/ruth/

That's epic, thanks again!

[oldeboo]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Also wild that it's a doctored photo of an outdoor shot. I thought it was taken in a studio!

Which to me raises the question of why? For what purpose? The effort is beyond what is typically seen with hand marked and cropped newsprint photos. Interestingly, neither example in this thread has significant markings on the reverse to suggest specific usage. There does not seem to be a large quantity of these to show a wide distribution of any sort.

The example in question appears to have a few minor condition issues such as a marking near the face, light indentations, the tape on the reverse, and a darker tone. It very well could be period or Type III as some would call it. Without any markings or knowing the intent of the heavy editing, tough call. If there was a period negative produced, was it used for something during the time, then later found to create a photo circa 1980s as suggested in the posted sale? Perhaps someone will recognize the edited image from a period item. Nothing would surprise me, there is some mystery with this one still.

It's a nice photo either way. I suppose it's a second generation photo that either looks old or it doesn't. It looks old. Old enough for that elusive and specific 2 year threshold, not sure. Not that you were asking for my opinion.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

I was asking for ALL opinions. Now which ones I listen to is a whole other kettle of fish I appreciate your contribution!

[D. Bergin]

What's the size? Is it 5x7 like the Christies, or an 8x10?

[D. Bergin]

Double weight photo paper?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

No problem, happy to help!

Here is some more information on the source image if anyone is curious or if it helps with your description. The original image was taken on September 21, 1919 at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut during an exhibition game. Eddie Goodridge of the New Departure Endees was to Ruth’s left. This is one of the last known images of Ruth in a Red Sox Uniform.

A link is below for anyone curious to learn more. There is also a book about Muzzy Field that has some solid information and there are other sources as well.

https://www.ghtbl.org/ruth/

Love the Muzzy Field reference BTW. It's just a few miles down the street from where I grew up. It's still standing today. A college summer league team plays there now. I used to play basketball in the Park next door all the time in my much younger days.

In 1981 I went to a game there with my Cub Scout Troop between the Bristol Red Sox and the Glens Falls White Sox. I chased down a bunch of balls during that game, including a Ron Kittle home run ball (He was tearing up the Eastern League at the time). My Mom burst into the Glens Falls dressing room after the game and got Kittle to sign the ball for me. I think I kept it clean for about 6 months, before I lost enough baseballs in the woods, I had to break out the Kittle ball to smack around and play catch with.

I don't think I ever realized Ruth had been there in a Red Sox uniform, until this thread.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

Double weight photo paper?

It is 5 x 7 and double weight seems about right.

Scott

EDIT: Just heard back from a well regarded (and well-known on this board) photo expert who thinks it is Pre WWII which would make it the oldest copy of this image he has seen. I am actually overnighting it to him to see if he can pin it down any more in hand. He also raised an interesting point. If the negative was altered years later this could be within the 2 year window on that particular new negative while still being significantly newer than 1919.

[oldeboo]

This was the one posted previously that sold for $1,375 (5x7)
https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6296499

This one sold for $64 (8x10)
https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c...50024-80295.s#

Both claimed to be circa 1980s Type IV by PSA

This sold for $3,326 (RPPC)
https://www.valuablepostcards.com/20...pril-2021.html

...interesting

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by oldeboo

This was the one posted previously that sold for $1,375 (5x7)
https://www.christies.com/lot/lot-6296499

This one sold for $64 (8x10)
https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c...50024-80295.s#

Both claimed to be circa 1980s Type IV by PSA

This sold for $3,326 (RPPC)
https://www.valuablepostcards.com/20...pril-2021.html

...interesting

I think somebody got taken on that postcard.

[REDSOX42]

Hey Scott,

I have a large format photo, c. 1930's-40's, second period sepia toned image, size is 17.75" x 21.5".
The photo is framed, never looked at what, if anything, might be on the back.

Paul

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Wow would love to see an image of it!

[scgaynor]

I have one, it is 5 x 7 on double weight stock, but probably 1950's-1960's era, maybe even newer. It has age, but not pre-war.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by scgaynor

I have one, it is 5 x 7 on double weight stock, but probably 1950's-1960's era, maybe even newer. It has age, but not pre-war.

sounds like a possible match.

[Deertick]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

It is 5 x 7 and double weight seems about right.

Scott

EDIT: Just heard back from a well regarded (and well-known on this board) photo expert who thinks it is Pre WWII which would make it the oldest copy of this image he has seen. I am actually overnighting it to him to see if he can pin it down any more in hand. He also raised an interesting point. If the negative was altered years later this could be within the 2 year window on that particular new negative while still being significantly newer than 1919.

Love the Phot, but DON'T let RY put a pin anywhere near it!

[oldeboo]

Another 5x7 sale for $229 back in April
https://rmyauctions.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=53936

From the description:
"The offered photograph has some age to it and from our analysis it appears to be a 1960's or possibly 1970's example of a photo that would otherwise break $50,000"


So now we've seen well educated guesses from solid sources on different 5x7 examples possibly being from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and/or 1980s with a photo expert thinking the discussed example might be pre WWII. Paul also has a larger format he suspects is circa 1930s or 1940s. This image very well might have been trickled out through the years. Hopefully this one is the oldest, come on 1920s!